From guest contributer Sarah Leingang:
In the hills of the Renton Highlands there is a charming little blueberry farm. This farm is located on about 3.5 acres of land, which is roughly equal to 3.5 football fields. This is quite a bit of land for a suburban neighborhood like the Highlands. Especially when considering how quickly these areas are being densely developed into much smaller lots covered for the most part with single family homes.
This farm has been Tucked away in between I-405 and Edmonds Ave, and has been enjoyed by countless families. But most visitors coming and going never realize the true value of the place they have visited.
So what’s the point of this random rambling? Well in recent years this bit of land has undergone a lot of discussion between those that want to develop and those that want to conserve. With the common residential zoning of R-4, you can build 4 homes per acres, which means that if there were no wetland issues there would be a potential for 14 homes to be built over this beautiful farm. Already the farm owner has expressed concerns about the effect neighboring developments has had on the microclimate of her farm. These effects include such items as the loss of trees as a wind buffer, and water run off from nearby land that used to water her farm but is now diverted uselessly into the city’s storm water system.
This little blueberry farm tucked into the highlands is a rare find. It has a value even greater than just a bit of green space in a ever more developed suburban neighborhood. What people most often miss when looking at this farm is that this bit of land is a truly unique and rare ecosystem known as a fen. A fen is an ecosystem similar to a bog; but what makes a fen different from a bog is that it is feed by a natural water source, not simply by rainwater. An official definition describes “The fen is a phase in the development of the natural succession from open lake, through reedbed, fen and carr, to woodland as the peat develops and its surface rises.”
A naturally occurring fen is a rare treasure to come across, and without protection this fen could soon be only a memory. If this farm were to be developed intensely, the loss of this complex and remarkable natural wonder would be truly unfathomable. And even if it is not developed, the rate of development nearby may alter the fen’s microclimate so much that is damaged and loss anyhow.
City stormwater retention laws would require that some land be set aside, to serve as a retaining pond to mimic the natural function of a wetlands ability to slowly recharge ground water sources and filter clean water back into the ground. But the small effort of a retaining pond could never truly recover the ability of a natural wetland, 1 acre of wetland 1 foot deep can hold up to 330,000 gallons of water. The complex nature of any ecosystem cannot be remade (even with the best of intentions) since there is so many layers of perfectly balanced life. From the obvious flora and fauna down to the bugs and algae and even down to the unseen but just as important bacteria within the hydrological soil all work in perfect harmony that we are simply unable to recreate just anywhere.
Any bit of green space within our ever developing Highlands is a rarity, and should be considered for conservation for us and future generations. And this small blueberry farm tucked in amongst many homes is easy to overlook, but it is not just a blueberry farm… it is a FEN that is worth saving.
Sarah Leingang grew up in Renton Highlands and graduated from Hazen in 2003. She has recently obtained her degree in Architecture.
Wonderful Article!
This is EXACTLY why we neighbors in this valley have been fighting so hard to protect this incredible natural treasure. The development pressures are tremendous; unfortunately, so far the city has not seemed to understand the huge public benefits of preserving the bog and the associated wetlands.
We remain optimistic that the new administration will consider the importance of municipal involvement, and aquire development rights to the entire wetland and headwater system. That is the only way to prevent further piecemeal development and incremental degradation of the bog, the wetlands, and the creek. It is the City’s stated policy to aquire wetlands of significance, which this rare fen most certainly would be.
Thanks to you for speaking out on this vitally important issue, and to everyone who has cared enough to help us in our effort to save this amazing city resource.
S. Rider
Kennydale Critical Areas Alliance
So, what is the plan, as you see it, that would save this from development? Most people have no idea on how to go about confronting the city and the developer to save such a vital resource to our water aquifer. Would you vote nay when this plat came up for final approval? A vote in this direction would likely serve no useful purpose other than to demonstrate to the citizens of Renton where you actually stand on such issues.
Randy,
I’m happy to see that you have posted this issue on your blog. For some reason, this issue has become overly complex. It’s actually very simple. The city MUST follow the law. The law says that this is a wetland and a headwater and must built upon and must be protected. The City has been way too cavalier in regard to rezoning of wetlands and allowing developers to plow over obvious wetlands. I realize that people need a place to live, but they also need a place to get away. This would make a fantastic park someday for Upper Kennydale. There are numerous opportunities that I can think of. Let’s do the right thing and stop the development at all costs mentality taht we have in our City. Please do what you can to drive a policy change on this important topic. Thanks, Bob (FFRF)
wetlands don’t equal parks
I thought the point of these wetlands was to keep our kids, dogs, and other influences AWAY from these areas as much as possible and use them to preserve the natural biological functionality of the bog/fenn. While filling in and building upon this area is heinous, to build it into a soccer field, “big toy”, and picnic area and trail would also impact upon the remaining ecological system in-place there.
Additionally, if the citizens of Renton decide to preserve these areas, we need to recognize we need to step-up and either tax ourselves (or developers and businesses) more, to provide funding for new programs like this OR we have to start deciding which other programs we take away: Superbowl TV ads, new police officers, marketing campaigns, fire department training, public arts, parks and recreation, trips to sister cities, etc.?
Re: wetlands don’t equal parks
I forgot to mention… this blueberry farm served a good lesson for me 25 years ago when I was a youth. I picked berries all morning one Saturday and barely filled a bucket and I think I earned barely over a buck.
Lesson learned: stay in school. The last thing you want to do for a living is pick blueberries all-day.
Re: wetlands don’t equal parks
Buying development rights is one solution for agencies trying to protect fragile environments, and is less expensive than buying the property outright. Owners get money for land they might not be able to build on anyway, retaining the option to live on it or sell it. The agreement does not create a park, but does add an extra level of protection.
somebody looses either way
While I’m glad to see the fight to save the Blueberry Farm goes on. Especially glad since I thought the council already decided it wasn’t a wet land. I do emphasize with the owners watching their fat retirement disappear. Buying developers rights might seems like a happy solution to the city but I’m sure the owners would prefer the market value.
Re: somebody looses either way
when did the council decide it wasn’t a wetland? and what is the market value of a wetland?
Wet Lands
This area is quite obviously a Wet Land area that took hundreds of years or longer to evolve to which the blueberries have been added much later. To destroy a natural feature of this unique nature is a unwise action for more reasons than just preserving the blueberry farm. For the sake of a few home sites it would be a theft for future generations of a unique feature within the City. There are many other areas where homes can be located without such a loss.