Snoqualmie cites conservation record in response to criticism
Published 5:22 pm Thursday, December 10, 2015
Recently, Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson and the city of Snoqualmie were criticized for planned development of the project known as the Tokul Roundabout, construction of a roundabout on State Route 202 at Tokul Road.
The project site is located 1/3 of a mile from Snoqualmie Falls, north of S.R. 202 and beyond the upper parking lot of Snoqualmie Falls Park, out of sight of the Falls.
The development plan for the project land was approved more than 10 years ago after several months of public process. The project encompasses expansion of the Salish Lodge, a conference center, and 175 homes, all on a 60-acre parcel. The development rights were purchased by the Muckleshoot Tribe in 2007 following a competitive bidding process in which both the Muckleshoot and Snoqualmie Tribes made offers.
The Tokul Roundabout, once completed and re-landscaped, will provide a safer and more beautiful experience for visitors to Snoqualmie Falls Park. The prior road alignment was a created by unplanned development dating to the late 1890s.
“One of my highest priorities is not just preserving, but also restoring and enhancing the beauty and integrity of Snoqualmie Falls,” said Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson. “It’s our most cherished asset and greatest source of pride.”
The city of Snoqualmie, the Cascade Land Conservancy (now Forterra), Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company, and King County came together in June, 2001 for a public-private partnership to establish the Snoqualmie Preservation Initiative. The initiative achieved permanent protection of 145 acres directly adjacent to Snoqualmie Falls, prevented the development of 9,000 acres in the Raging River Basin and other areas of the Snoqualmie Valley in perpetuity, and protected the Snoqualmie and King County trail systems.
The city has also acquired 165 acres of the 418-acre Three Forks Natural Area from King County, partnered with Mountains to Sound Greenway to save 130 acres at Snoqualmie Point from development and partnered with the city of North Bend to purchase and maintain Meadowbrook Farm, a 460-acre area of open space and critical wildlife habitat. Snoqualmie also has 38 city parks totaling 142 acres for outdoor recreation, and more than 25 miles of trails, many of which connect to regional trails.
