Fred Butler enters race for Issaquah mayor
January 22, 2013
Fred Butler, a City Council stalwart for 13 years and a voice in important debates about the future of Issaquah, entered the race for mayor Jan. 17.
Fred Butler
The contest could hinge on the vision for the decades ahead, as city leaders seek to position Issaquah for redevelopment and attract more jobs to the community.
Butler, 72, served on the council at major junctures in recent history, as members debated the defunct Southeast Bypass road link, how to preserve forested Park Pointe on Tiger Mountain and, late last year, a 30-year redevelopment blueprint called the Central Issaquah Plan.
“We are in the process of evolving from a small town to a small city, moving from suburban to urban,” he said in a Jan 17 interview. “Because I’ve been involved in a lot of the planning and the development of the urban villages and the Central Issaquah Plan, I believe I’m in a pretty good position to help implement the direction that we are going in.”
Fred Butler launches campaign for Issaquah mayor
January 17, 2013
NEW — 6 p.m. Jan. 17, 2013
Fred Butler, a City Council stalwart for 13 years and a voice in important debates about the future of Issaquah, entered the race for mayor Thursday.
Fred Butler
The contest could hinge on the vision for the decades ahead, as city leaders seek to position Issaquah for redevelopment and attract more jobs to the community.
Butler, 72, served on the council at major junctures in recent history, as members debated the defunct Southeast Bypass road link, how to preserve forested Park Pointe on Tiger Mountain, and late last year, a 30-year redevelopment blueprint called the Central Issaquah Plan.
Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Tiger Mountain
September 25, 2012
Washingtonians can celebrate National Public Lands Day in the Tiger Mountain State Forest, other state forestlands or at national parks.
The state Department of Natural Resources said the lineup for National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29, includes a mountain bike trail construction event on Tiger Mountain.
Celebrate National Public Lands Day in Tiger Mountain State Forest, national parks
September 19, 2012
NEW — 3 p.m. Sept. 19, 2012
Washingtonians can celebrate National Public Lands Day in Tiger Mountain State Forest, other state forestlands or at national parks.
The state Department of Natural Resources said the lineup for National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29, includes a mountain bike trail construction event on Tiger Mountain.
The annual event is meant to encourage people to head outside and enjoy the outdoors.
State Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark invited the public to join volunteers to celebrate the event on Department of Natural Resources-managed lands across Washington.
Statewide, hundreds of volunteers plan to join the agency and partner organizations to repair trails, clean up litter, clear brush, remove invasive plants and complete other projects in recreation lands and conservation areas.
Lake Sammamish level concerns homeowners
May 3, 2011
County announces plan to unclog lake-to-river transition
King County environmental managers plan to tackle the high water level in Lake Sammamish, after aquatic weeds and sediment clogged the outlet from the lake to the Sammamish River.
The problem — although centered at county-run Marymoor Park along the lake’s northern shore — reflects a common complaint among lakeside residents in Issaquah and Sammamish about the water level.
“It’s really important that we remove these things. Particularly at the north end up around Marymoor Park is a real problem, and it’s spread to the rest of the lake,” Save Lake Sammamish founder Joanna Buehler said. “For real control, you need everybody around the lake to work on it.”
The effort calls for yanking invasive plants, increased mowing near the transition zone from lake to river and enacting other steps along the lake in order to address levels along the shoreline.
County Executive Dow Constantine said the series of steps is necessary to reduce seasonal flooding along the lake.
Lake Sammamish levels raise concerns among shoreline residents
March 30, 2011
NEW — 3 p.m. March 30, 2011
Leaders said King County is removing invasive aquatic plants and enacting other steps along Lake Sammamish in order to address high water levels along the shoreline.
County Executive Dow Constantine said the county plans a series of steps to reduce the seasonal flooding along the lake.
“We are taking immediate action to provide relief for lakeside residents who have to deal with high lake levels — particularly during the wettest months of the year,” he said in a statement released Wednesday.
The outlet from Lake Sammamish into the Sammamish River at county-run Marymoor Park is marked by a shallow, fixed-concrete spillway and a section of channel downstream from the weir. The area, called the transition zone, marks the shift from lake to river.
Updated shoreline rules outline creek and lakeside construction
December 7, 2010
City aims to balance ecology and expansion
The latest city shoreline rules should help planners to determine appropriate creek and lakeside areas for construction, plus offer more clarity to landowners along Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish.
The city Planning Policy Commission has OK’d the updated Shoreline Master Program — the guide to construction along Lake Sammamish, and the main stem and East Fork of Issaquah Creek. The measure heads to the City Council for adoption.
“The objectives are to allow redevelopment and expansion,” city Environmental Planner Peter Rosen said. “But, then, there’s also some requirements to improve the existing conditions along the lake.”
The updated shoreline regulations apply to land located within 200 feet of the shorelines, plus associated wetlands.
City restores Issaquah Creek salmon habitat
October 19, 2010
Greenway volunteers plant native trees, shrubs
Environmental restoration crew workers add tree trunks to Issaquah Creek last month at Squak Valley Park North to provide habitat for salmon and other fish to spawn and hide from predators. By Greg Farrar
Squak Valley Park North — a slice of former farmland sidled against Issaquah Creek — started to resemble a bygone era by the time more than 250 planters left the site on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
Greenway needs volunteers to plant trees at creekside park
October 4, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Oct. 4, 2010
Mountains to Sound Greenway needs volunteers to plant trees as part of a massive habitat restoration project along Issaquah Creek.
The planting is scheduled for from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Oct. 16. Pick a shift, or enroll in another greenway volunteer event, here. In addition to planting, the event will feature food, music and vendors.
The planting at Squak Valley Park North serves the kickoff to a campaign to plant more than 25,000 trees and shrubs in natural areas throughout the greenway. The greenbelt stretches along Interstate 90 from the Seattle waterfront to Central Washington.
The park sits in the valley between Squak and Tiger mountains along Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast, and across Issaquah Creek from the Sycamore neighborhood. Flora at the park includes alder saplings, salmonberries and willows.
Go wet and wild — and stay safe — on the water this weekend
May 14, 2010
NEW — 11:50 a.m. May 14, 2010
Springtime sunshine will lure residents in Issaquah and across King County to lakes, streams and rivers in the days ahead.
King County Sheriff’s Office leaders reminded people to practice water safety. Most King County drownings — 56 percent — occur in April, May and July.
“While the weather will be great, the rivers and lakes of King County are still very cold,” Sheriff Sue Rahr said in a news release. “And the rivers are fast-moving, and extremely dangerous.”
Furthermore, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started releasing water from the Howard Hanson Dam on Wednesday. The added water means flows on the Green River will be high through at least Saturday night.
