By John Larson

Tacoma Weekly
May 29, 2008

A parcel of land that served as a makeshift landfill for construction debris for decades will be restored to its natural state.

At its last meeting, Metro Parks Commission passed a resolution authorizing Executive Director Jack Wilson to enter into an interlocal agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This action is a step in a process of the state agency removing fill placed in a wooded area during construction of Bantz Boulevard, a road that existed prior to the construction of State Route 16. Fill from other projects was also placed at the site over the years.

The site is located about halfway between Snake Lake Nature Center and the track at Bellarmine Prep. It was private property until a few years ago, when Metro Parks acquired it through the Conservation Futures Fund, a county government program that sets aside land as open space.

John Garner, conservation and education coordinator for Metro Parks, said WSDOT will cover the costs of removing the fill material. This is part of an agreement covering recent improvements to State Route 16.

Reclaiming the area is part of a collaboration with Cascade Land Conservancy, which provided assistance in assembling a package of projects for the Conservation Futures Fund. “They worked in a supportive role to present the project for successful funding,” Garner remarked.

Garner said the project will recreate open space and complements other restoration work that has been done in this area. “This is a wonderful mitigation opportunity,” he remarked.

Eventually Metro Parks plans to extend the current trail system at Snake Lake to this site. Members of the public have been involved in the planning process for this, Garner noted. Much of the work on the trail will likely be done by volunteers, he added.

There is currently access to the site from a spot on Durango Street.

WSDOT will begin mitigation to the wetlands in summer 2009. The contribution of Metro Parks is making the land available to WSDOT. Work on the trail is expected to begin in fall 2009, according to Garner.

Metro Parks Commissioner Larry Dahl said sometimes WSDOT’s actions just meet the basic intent of an agreement. In this situation, the state agency is going out of its way to provide the public with a true benefit, he said.

“This is something the public can be really proud of.”

© 2008 Pierce County Community Newspaper Group