Squak Mountain land saved from logging
May 14, 2013
Trust for Public Land, King County, steps in with purchase
Only four days after the state approved Erikson Logging’s application to clear-cut sections of a Squak Mountain parcel, King County announced concrete plans to purchase it from developers.
Since the announcement of the company’s intention to harvest old-growth trees in the area in January, concerted efforts have been made by King County and local group Save Squak to find a way to protect the land. On May 8, the county announced it had struck a deal with the Trust for Public Land, which agreed to buy the 220-acre parcel and accept payment from the county over time.
County committee tours possible logging site on Squak Mountain
April 30, 2013
Expiration of the county’s park levy seems to spell the greatest threat to preventing logging on Squak Mountain.
Early April 27, the King County Conservation Futures Citizens Committee took a trip up to the parcel that could face clear-cutting by landowner Erikson Logging Inc. through an application process begun in January.
By Peter Clark
Ken Konigsmark (left), David Kappler (right) and others hike on Squak Mountain April 27 to view the 220-acre Erikson Logging Inc. parcel that could soon face clear-cutting.
The group has a mandate to fund projects with dollars raised from the Conservation Futures Tax that protects open King County green space or saves it from development. The county’s Parks Department and a local advocacy group, Save Squak, hope to convince the county to purchase the 220 acres. Unfortunately, there is a lot of competition.
Logging company submits new filing for Squak Mountain
April 9, 2013
Erickson Logging Inc. turned in a new application April 2 to the state Department of Natural Resources, seeking logging rights to Squak Mountain, not two weeks after the removal of its first.
The revised forest practices application differentiates itself from the former in several key areas. The most notable change is the halving of projected harvest acreage, from 195 acres of the parcel’s available 216 to 95 acres.
It also stipulates that the steep gradient of the land will necessitate extra equipment, something the previous application failed to list. In addition, the proposed road construction needed was greatly reduced, from 3,800 to 1,900 feet.
Logging company files new application for Squak Mountain
April 5, 2013
NEW — at 1:59 p.m., April 5 2012
Erickson Logging Inc. turned in a new application to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, seeking logging rights to Squak Mountain on April 2, not two weeks after the removal of their first.
The revised forest practices application differentiates itself from the former in several key areas. The most notable change is the halving of projected harvest acreage, from 195 acres of the parcel’s available 216 to 95 acres. It also stipulates that the steep gradient of the land will necessitate extra equipment, something the previous application failed to list. In addition, the proposed road construction needed was greatly reduced, from 3,800 to 1,900 feet.
Clear-cut looms between Squak, Cougar mountains
March 5, 2013
By Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times
Helen Farrington worries about flooding on May Creek (seen at left), which runs past her backyard.
More than two decades after battles over logging in spotted-owl habitat began to die down, plans to clear-cut trees next to a county park near Issaquah have ignited a new controversy.
As with most anything having to do with real estate, it boils down to location, location, location.
Squak Mountain logging plan concerns neighbors
February 12, 2013
Proposal could lead to clear cut timber operation
High on Squak Mountain, pink plastic strips tied to trees mark 216 acres of forest as a timber harvest area.
Downhill, 15-year resident Helen Farrington is concerned about how a plan to clear cut the forest above could impact a fork of May Creek.
In September, after a long permitting process and almost $100,000 out of pocket, the Farringtons replaced a crumbling culvert with a passage easier for fish to cross.
Squak Mountain timber plan concerns conservationists, neighbors
February 8, 2013
NEW — 12:05 p.m. Feb. 8, 2013
High on Squak Mountain, pink plastic strips tied to trees mark 216 acres of forest as a timber harvest area.
Since a timber company purchased the forest and started the process to permit logging on the site, conservationists and nearby residents mobilized to fight the proposal to clear cut the land. The logging opponents said cutting trees on the land could lead to more flooding downhill, damage sensitive fish and wildlife habitat, and add a timber harvest site near conservation lands.
The proposal from Eatonville-based Erickson Logging to harvest timber on 216 acres on the mountainside above Renton-Issaquah Road Southeast galvanized residents on Squak Mountain and near May Creek, a destination for runoff from the mountain.
Joe Forkner enters race for Issaquah mayor
February 5, 2013
Less than a week after rejoining the City Council, longtime community leader and seasoned Councilman Joe Forkner entered the race for mayor Feb. 4.
Joe Forkner
The announcement set up a contest between Forkner and a colleague, Council President Fred Butler. The councilmen hope to lead the city once Mayor Ava Frisinger steps down in January 2014 after 16 years in the top job at City Hall.
Forkner, 59, worked for the city in the past and served on the council in recent stints — from 2000 to 2005, and to fill a vacancy from September 2006 to late 2007. The latest appointment, a 10-month stint approved Jan. 29 in a 4-2 decision, caps a busy period after Forkner led the citizen panel responsible for outlining redevelopment in the business district.
Joe Forkner launches campaign for Issaquah mayor
February 4, 2013
NEW — 3 p.m. Feb. 4, 2013
Less than a week after rejoining the City Council, longtime community leader and seasoned Councilman Joe Forkner entered the race for mayor Monday.
Joe Forkner
The announcement set up a contest between Forkner and a colleague, Council President Fred Butler. The councilmen hope to lead the city once Mayor Ava Frisinger steps down in January 2014 after 16 years in the top job at City Hall.
Forkner, 59, worked for the city in the past and served on the council in recent stints — from 2000 to 2005, and to fill a vacancy from September 2006 to late 2007. The latest appointment, a 10-month stint approved Jan. 29 in a 4-2 decision, caps a busy period after Forkner led the citizen panel responsible for outlining redevelopment in the business district.
City Council appoints Joe Forkner to open seat
January 29, 2013
NEW — 6:20 p.m. Jan. 29, 2013
Joe Forkner returned to the City Council on Tuesday after a divided council appointed the former councilman, onetime city employee and longtime community leader to a vacant seat.
The council appointed a successor to former Councilman Mark Mullet after about 15 minutes of discussion.
Members nominated Forkner and longtime Development Commission member Mary Lou Pauly for the post. The council chose Forkner in a 4-2 decision.
The seat opened Jan. 8 after Mullet departed to serve in Olympia. The entrepreneur and former banking executive defeated Snoqualmie Republican Brad Toft to represent the 5th Legislative District in the state Senate.
