The Cold Creek Project protected 14.99-acres, adding to 157 acres that have already been protected within the 300-acre Cold Creek Natural Area. The Natural Area is an important headwaters area for Cottage Lake Creek in the Bear Creek Basin and consists of many groundwater springs, diverse wetland classes, salmonid streams, and forest cover. This project's goal was to permanently preserve vacant forested parcels of land in the Natural Area. The 3.12-acre Imwalle property is adjacent to Cold Creek and will protect groundwater springs feeding the stream. The 11.8-acre Hill property, on two parcels, is located within a forested wetland site (Wetland #10 which is a 230-acre Class 1 wetland spanning most of the Cold Creek Natural Area), and will protect approximately 1,000-feet of both sides of Daniels Creek. Daniels Creek flows into Cottage Lake and drains to Cottage Lake Creek. The site is completely forested with mature conifers throughout the site. Cottage Lake Creek has the highest concentration of spawning Chinook in the Bear Creek basin. Daniels Creek supports coho salmon and cutthroat trout. The importance of protecting the natural functions occuring within the Cold Creek Natural Area are identified in and supported by the Bear Creek Waterways 2000 program, The Bear Creek Basin Plan, and the WRIA 8 Chinook Recovery Plan.