Friends of Rock Creek Valley

A community grassroots organization promoting voluntary, cooperative efforts to preserve valuable Valley resources through:

• Enhancement and protection of water quality and quantity
• Preservation of stream and riparian habitats for salmonid spawning and rearing
• Maintaining forestlands and open spaces
• Protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat
• Providing recreational, historical and educational opportunities

The Rock Creek Valley

Located in southeast King County, Washington State, the Rock Creek Valley is an ~30 square mile area southeast of the City of Maple Valley lying between the Cedar River to the north and the Green River to the south. About half of the area drains into the Cedar via Rock Creek which has been acknowledged as the highest quality remaining salmon habitat in the lower Cedar and among the best habitats in King County. The remainder of the Valley lands drain into the Green River via Ravensdale Creek and other small tributaries.

The excellent spawning habitat and near-pristine condition of the creeks within the Valley support resident and anadromous salmonid species including Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, and Steelhead, plus Cutthroat Trout, and historically Bull Trout. These ideal conditions are due in part to the intact natural riparian zones along Valley streams and to the fact that the Valley lands are still ~65% forested. These forestlands also support thriving populations of elk, deer, cougar, bear and other smaller species, while providing extensive recreational opportunities and visual amenities.

The Vision

From the preservation of valuable water, wildlife, and forest resources to the provision of recreational, educational, and historical opportunities, it is hoped that the Rock Creek Valley Vision will serve as a guide to planning and development within the Valley. For it is only through the voluntary and cooperative efforts of an alliance of private citizens, community organizations and governmental entities that the unique natural resources of the Valley can be protected while providing benefits for all.

Primary Vision Elements

• Protect and enhance water, fish and wildlife resources

  • Monitor and protect aquifer, stream, lake and riparian corridors
  • Maintain wildlife corridor connectivity between large blocks of wildlife habitat
  • Protect potable water supplies for City of Kent Clark Springs, residential wells, and Kent and Covington well fields

• Maintain forest cover for water and wildlife protection, aesthetics, recreation and commercial forestry opportunities

  • Preserve forest cover along streams and riparian areas
  • Maintain a viable forest industry presence within the Valley
  • Establish "light-touch forestry" on public forest lands in the Valley to serve as a public demonstration forest
  • Promote "residential forestry" on private, non-industrial lands
  • Identify and preserve sensitive forest viewsheds along major traffic corridors and recreational sites in the Valley

• Provide recreational opportunities

  • Develop and maintain a network of local and regional multi-use hiking, biking and horse trails
  • Support community recreational sites (Ravensdale Park/Gracie Hansen, King County Equestrian Center, etc.)

• Preserve and promote local historic and cultural sites

  • Develop Ravensdale Museum and walking tour to highlight mining, logging, and railroad history
  • Establish Ravensdale Mine Memorial

• Establish working alliance between King County and private entities in Valley to implement Vision

  • Establish community based partnerships with landowners and local businesses that leverage private and public resources
  • Provide natural resource education, outreach and volunteer assistance for habitat restoration and stewardship
  • Seek private, local, State and Federal grants to acquire development rights or fee acquisitions on a voluntary basis from interested landowners
  • Establish and administer Acquisition and Stewardship Fund for preserving and maintaining critical lands within the Valley

Friends of Rock Creek Valley

Mission:

The Friends of Rock Creek Valley is a community group with objectives to:

• Increase community awareness of what is happening in the Valley
• Provide an organization and voice for issues affecting the Valley
• Seek funding and other avenues for purchase, maintenance and enhancement of sensitive areas in the Valley
• Promote community involvement in activities impacting Rock Creek Valley

Goals

• Protect and enhance the water quality, quantity and habitat of Rock Creek
• Protect and enhance salmonid spawning and rearing habitat within Rock Creek
• Protect the diverse wildlife habitat within the Rock Creek sub-basin
• Provide natural resource educational opportunities within the basin
• Provide for a diverse set of recreational opportunities within the Valley which are compatible with the above goals
• Support the monitoring, maintenance and operation of publicly-owned lands within the Valley
• Promote revenue-generating activities on publicly-owned lands within the Valley which are compatible with the above goals, and which help fund the operation and maintenance of all publicly-owned lands in the Valley

Principle

Our goal is to work cooperatively with property owners, the community, and appropriate governmental organizations to achieve the objectives outlined above