Black Diamond NOW

Pacific Coast Coal To Resume Mining At The John Henry No. 1 Mine

The above photo and the photo that follows were taken during a tour of the mine hosted by PCCC in March 2010.  Notice that we had sunshine then.

David Morris with Pacific Coast Coal Company (PCCC) announced last week that the John Henry Mine No. 1 will soon resume coal mining at the site.  As you may recall, the Federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) had been requiring PCCC to resume reclamation activities.  Because PCCC had no sales contracts in hand at the time and the site had been idle for some time, OSM issued the reclamation order.  In fact, some reclamation activities had been resumed late last year.  But recently, with coal markets improving, PCCC has been successful in landing a contract with Lehigh Cement in British Columbia.  According to Mr. Morris, PCCC expects to resume mining soon and continue mining through 2016 and then to have reclamation completed in 2017.  With the closure of the open pit mine near Centralia a couple of years ago, I believe the John Henry Mine will be the sole remaining active coal mine in the state.  Given our community's history, this may well be fitting.

The Cathedral

So many spectacular places to see in our community.  The above picture was taken this past Tuesday of The Cathedral - one of the many incredible edifices located along the Green River Gorge.  This hike is a spur off of the trail to Icy Creek.  As you hike down the Icy Creek Trail, you will see a bench at your right.  If you follow this spur trail heading east, you will eventually find yourself at the Cathedral.   This is one incredible view. 

Judy and I hiked Maui and just loved it, but we saw nothing that could compare with what we have here right in our back yard.  The hike to the Cathedral is a case in point.  Right now, the water remains relatively high.  Wait until this summer when the water levels decrease further and we can more easily get on both sides of the Green. 

At least this time of year, this hike is not for kids.  There are many very slippery areas along steep ledges that could be a problem for both kids and pets.  The reward, however, is great.  When you first reach the river you will see a rock outcropping directly across the river that is really cool, but this only gives you a preview.  To get a good view of the Cathedral, you will need to navigate out across some rock eddies located just upstream on your right.  Be careful - the submerged rocks are very slippery, but you can get out there.  Forgetting the challenges, the Cathedral is a must do hike.  Following are a couple of pictures of the Cathedral trail and the first sandstone edifice that you see when you make it to the river.

This picture is taken of the trail that you go on underneath an interesting overhang.  You can see the base of the trail at the base of the overhang.  Be careful here - its very wet and slippery.  Following is a picture of the "trail" as you look up from the bottom.

Now we know why the Green River is called the Green!

Environmental Degradation - Where Does It Start?

The answer, of course, is that environmental degradation starts with us - each one of us as individuals.  A recent article posted on the Eco Preservation Society web site really resonated with me.  It includes a poem written by Zachary Shahan titled Environmental Degradation and the Self: The Link Between the Two.  I am not typically attracted to reading poetry but I found this one to be very effective in communicating an important message.  For someone who tends to be a facts and data person, it's even logical. 

Our son's recently released book, Year Of Plenty, serves as a great reminder about how the simpler things, including family and local community, can lead to a happier and more rewarding life style - and much funnier too.  So as we approach Earth Day tomorrow, I would certainly encourage us all to participate if you can, but also to keep in mind that it is us and our daily self that we must focus on if we are to make a difference.

Also as a reminder, the City is planning an Earth Day Celebration event tomorrow, Friday April 22 at 2 pm.  If you are interested in participating, be sure to contact Aaron Nix , City Natural Resources and Parks Director for more information.

P.S.  Please forgive me if this sounds overly preachy, certainly not intended, but a serious question none the less.

 

2005 Black Diamond Area Open Space Agreement

In a previous post, I briefly discussed the BDUGAA (Black Diamond Urban Growth Area Agreement) that was executed in December 1996.  This agreement provided for the annexation of an additional 467.2 acres into the Black Diamond UGA (this excludes the 160 acres around Lake 12 that has not been annexed).  As we learned, the BDUGAA envisioned the addition of significant open space both within the City and surrounding area in roughly a 4 to 1 ratio - 4 acres of open space for every 1 acre added to the UGA.  A key implementing agreement of the BUDGAA was agreed to in 2005 and is called the Black Diamond Area Open Space Agreement.  This agreement was signed by King County, the City of Black Diamond, Plum Creek Timber Co. and the Cascade Land Conservancy.  The map shown above identifies more specifically where these new open space areas currently are and include the following In-City areas:

• Lake Sawyer Park (165 acres)
• Ginder Creek (27 acres)
• In City Forest (50 acres)
• Visual Corridor along SR 169 (55 acres)
• Other In City (132 acres)

Among the open space areas set aside within the County include:

• Ravensdale Creek Open Space (512 acres)
• Other County Open Space including areas adjacent to the Green River Gorge (132.8 acres)

In addition, the large Ravensdale Ridge Harvest Restriction area shown in blue green was set aside as forest preserve with the Cascade Land Conservancy established as the designated Steward of this land - insuring that this forestry land is maintained as such in perpetuity.

As I have reported in the past, a healthy Ravensdale Lake and Creek are essential to the long term health of Lake Sawyer - now preserved as open space within the County.

Once again, it is important to note that this agreement added only 467.2 to the Black Diamond UGA - significantly less than the currently proposed MPD's.  In return, very significant and important open space has also been created for the long term.

Yesler Wharf In 1880 - The Evolution Of Transportation

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, order no. CUR 899, circa 1880

The above photo was taken in January 1880 at the foot of Yesler Way in Seattle.  This photo is included in the Asahel Curtis Collection and he is credited with the picture.  The only problem with this is that Asahel Curtis lived from 1874-1941.  As famous a photographer as he is, it would seem unlikely that he took this photo at the age of 6 or 7.  Whatever the lineage, its an interesting reminder of just how primitive or basic transportation was at the time.  In the early days, coal from our area was shipped by rail car and then loaded onto schooners like this.  Hard for me to fathom.

This photo also reminds us that snow was no stranger to our area at the time - somewhere between 3 and 5 feet of snow was on the ground when this picture was taken.  As shown in the following photo taken 30 years later in 1910, transportation along the James Nelson Road in Renton had evolved little further.  To get anywhere, rail and water were still by the far the most dependable modes of transportation and snow was certainly not uncommon.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries

And we complain about our current weather and gridlock on I-405?

A Fisherman's Trail To The Green River Gorge

I've always wanted to know if I could get from the SR 169 bridge over the Green River down into the Gorge and to the river itself.  With the sun out today, I couldn't resist the temptation to find a way down there.  To be clear, "fishermen's trails" are not normal trails nor for the faint of heart or normal people.  You must be prepared to get your boots muddy, slip and fall on rocks and logs, tear some skin on the blackberry brambles and seek trail where there is none.  But persistence pays off and you eventually get there - feeling really accomplished.  Such was my experience earlier today and it was great.

As can be seen in the above photo, the Green is indeed green right now.  Flows continue at high levels as the Howard Hanson Dam releases volumes of water sufficient to guard against a really big Pinnapple Express.  Therefore, when I finally made it down to the river's edge, water levels were still high and there was no opportunity to venture out onto rock eddies for a broader perspective of the river.  But this was just fine by me.  The river and gorge are so impressive.

One of the things you must be sure and do is take note of all the flora around along the "trail".  Following are a couple of examples of why the northwest is such a beautiful place in the spring.

 


And then, there is the view from the bridge.

As it turns out, I took the hard way to get down into the Gorge from the SR 169 bridge.  There is an easier path.  But, this is kind of my MO - doing things the hard way gives me the opportunity to experience so much that a pedestrian approach to life fails to provide.   A great day. 

Poor Luck Fishing - How About A Weir?

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, caption Indian Fish Trap, negative no. UW22170, circa 1889.

If you don't have confidence in your fishing skills with hook and line, how about trying a weir?  Apparently creating a weir as a fish trap was common practice among the tribes in the late 1800's.  Given my fishing skills, sounds like a good idea to me - except you might miss the sport of it all. 

Now that it's April, opening day for area lakes can't be far away.  The Greater Maple Valley - Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the Opening Day Trout Derby on Lake Wilderness for April 29 - 30.  As a young kid of about 8 or 9, I still remember my first opening day fishing trip to Lake Wilderness.  It was great fun just getting in the canoe and going out with my dad, but catching a nice rainbow that I could take home with great pride, buttons bursting, and have my mother cook for dinner was very special.  The only thing I couldn't understand was getting up at 3 am in order to drive there and get our canoe launched.  My suggestion - just set up camp at the lake.  All part of the program and even more fun for youngsters having the opportunity to camp out overnight, waiting anxiously for the sun to rise.  Following is a picture from the 2009 Lake Wilderness Trout Derby.

Since Lake Sawyer is open year round to fishing, we don't have the "opening day" rush you see at Lake Wilderness.  But, my advice is to experience both.  The exitement of opening day for a youngster is just way to much fun.  So go to opening day at Lake Wilderness if you can.  Then come home to Lake Sawyer and get the really good ones - anytime.  And then there is Bass Lake, Beaver Lake, Dandy Lake and .....  Our community is indeed blessed.

I wish!

 

The BDUGAA - What?

For those not familiar, BDUGAA is an oft used acronym in our community and stands for the "Black Diamond Urban Growth Area Agreement".  You've got to live here to appreciate it.  This agreement was formally signed in December 1996 and included the following signatories - King County, Plum Creek Timber Co., Palmer Coking Coal Co. and the City of Black Diamond.  As I understand it, the impetus for this agreement was several fold:

1. King County, under the direction of then County Executive Gary Lock, were looking for a place in the County that might showcase the benefits of Master Planned Developments and "smart growth".
2. Plum Creek Timber Co. at the time was the largest land owner in the area.  Even in the early 1990's, it was clear that the "highest and best use" for much of Plum Creek land in our area was residential development and not timber production. 
3. Palmer Coking Coal Co. is a major land owner both within the City and in surrounding areas within the County.
4. Many folks in Black Diamond wanted to see growth in the City - something that had eluded our community earlier.  Absent some growth the long-term fiscal viability of the City was perceived by some to be in serious question.

Footnote: My objective here is to provide historical perspective and to report on what I have learned while seeking to better understand current Master Planned Development proposals.  I would also point out that these agreements are extensive and complicated and I am no lawyer.  But to the best of my ability, I am providing a layman's perspective.  For now, my focus will be on the BDUGAA and what it has meant for the City's future - and also what it did not foreordain.

So what does the BDUGAA provide?  Following is a map of the three new annexation areas proposed for inclusion in the Black Diamond UGA as a result of the BDUGAA.

As you can see, there were three significant annexation areas proposed - West, South and East.  The annexation area surrounding Lake 12 was suggested but has not been acted up.  Following is a breakdown of the acreages.

You may wish to note that current MPD proposals encompass approximately 1,500 acres while the BDUGAA area set aside for residential, commercial and mixed use development in new annexation areas total less than 500 acres. While it is clear that the BDUGAA resulted in the addition of significant additional acreage and potential development density into the Black Diamond UGA, it did not foreordain current City Comprehensive Plans, City MPD Ordinances or MPD development as now planned.  No value judgement intended in making this statement - but simply to point out that many have commented that the dye was cast in 1996.  That is just not the case. 

There is also significant value now accruing to our community as a result of all of the open space and conservation easements established as a result of the BDUGAA - but not really finalized until 2005 with signing of the Black Diamond Open Space Area Agreement. In talking with people in the community, there seems to be limited understanding of just how significant this is.  In a future post, I will focus on the 2005 Open Space Area Agreement that served to implement much of the BDUGAA principles.

As always, please let me know if you have questions or comments.