HomeMy WebLinkAboutSalmon Center Project Overview - PLN General - 10/10/2007 � PACIFIC NORTHWEST
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PACIFIC N O RT H W E S T
Saari Center
• Low-impact property development, with critical
attention paid to correct sciences and processes
• Valuable K-12 educational resource for our children
• Focal point for Hood Canal and Puget Sound
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• Economic, tourist, and environmental benefit to -
Mason County, Hood Canal region - '°=
• Goals in concert with Senate efforts for 4-year
college facilities on Olympic Peninsula (SB 5978) .... }.
• Regional example of excellent environmental 4 '
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• A good thing to-do for our future generations -�
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* The Vision: A world class research and education center on the Union River
estuary, where Hood Canal begins
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• Environmentally-sound development and habitat restoration:
45 acres returning to salt marsh (23 /o of the original Union River estuary)
15 acres for stormwater ponds, which will be an educational component of the Center
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10 forested acres remain intact
- 20 acres, including current buildings, available for research and education functions --
Trails that embrace and enhance the experience of the Theler Wetlands trails "- . . T_
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i Attendance per feasibility study expected to be - 30,000/year
Initial operations in current structures, remodeled, yia-campus _ tting with
multiple small buildings. Future additions only as needs dictate and according;
to development regulation
• Proximity to audience: within 100 miles of over 620,000 k-12 students :
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• Land use change request to Mason County approved in July 2007
- Add "environmental learning center" as permitted use in Agricultural Resource Lands
- Special Use Permit requirement will subject development to strict standards and
require community notification
• Updated definition of Environmental Learning Center: a facility dedicated to
environmental and resource education and research _ .. .
• Wetlands delineation (completed Oct 2007 and mitigation Ian will gulide
detailed design
• Will showcase Low Impact Development best practices such as pervious parking
• Adjacent to Belfair UGA, provides Economic Development, Educational
Resources, Ecotourism for a repressed area
• Feasibility study guiding future activities (completed June 2006) i
4 • Cultural Resources Review (completed Nov 2007)
Boundary Line Adjustment (completed Dec 2007)
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PACIFIC N O R T H W E S T
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Project Overview
• A. Project Description. Develop a learning center which will enhance public knowledge and appreciation for the values of wild
salmon and related ecosystem health. Educational opportunities at the center may include how to build and live lightly on the
land, salmon friendly farming practices, the importance of wetlands, natural handling of stormwater, as well as standard
environmental knowledge and awareness.
• B. ProJ'ect Location. The Center would be situated on 90 acres in Belfair commonly known as the Johnson Farm, bordering the
Union River. The property includes a perpetual easement for operation of the Theler trails on dikes located on one of the 5
parcels.
• C. Project areas. The long term project concept is to return approximately 45 acres to salt marsh/wetlands, through breaching
the dikes, in partnership with WDFW. Bridges on pilings will be constructed across the breaches and a temporary trail will be
built prior to work on the dikes. When complete, the old and new trails will be joined as a new round trip path. The currently
diked area represents 23% of the Union River Estuary. Approximately 15 acres would be allocated for retention and treatment of
storm water from the Belfair UGA. The natural treatment of stormwater will also be an educational component of the center.
Approximately 10 forested acres will be left in its natural condition. Approximately 20 acres remain available for buildings,
parking, landscape, demonstration gardens, open space, etc.
• D. Uses and Site Plan. A detailed plan and design for the PNWSC is currently being developed. Initial uses would include
educational space, labs, administrative offices, and storage in the existing buildings, parking, trails and stormwater ponds.
Features at full scale operation may include additional classrooms and research labs, changing interactive displays, meeting
space, a spawning stream, additional ADA accessible trails, some overnight accommodations and minor accessory retail (food,
gift shop). There will be significant open space and the public will be welcome to come and walk trails, picnic, or just have a
seat and enjoy the view. Future uses are dependent on the availability of funds, design feasibility and what works best for the
community.
• E. Phasing/Buildings. The project will be phased over a number of years, with the initial phase utilizing the existing buildings.
The initial plan would be to remodel and expand the structures currently existing on the site, including a barn with a loft for a
total of approximately 5000 square feet, a house and attached garage with a total of approximately 3000 square feet, a smaller
two story home, another garage, and a few outbuildings to use for classrooms, labs and administrative facilities. The initial
phase of the PNWSC is planned not to exceed the use of the existing buildings, approximately 12,000 sq. ft.
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