This project provided partial funding to secure approximately 30% of the outstanding timber rights in the Upper Bear Creek Conservation Area. The objective is to preserve the existing timber, greatly enhancing the habitat value and protecting water quality in the Bear Creek watershed. Previously, Snohomish County purchased 664 undeveloped, forested acres, along with a three options on the remaining timber rights, under Project No 99-1705. This property is part of the Paradise Valley Conservation Area, which is a regionally significant resource area. The Draft Lake Washington Chinook Recovery Plan indicates that "...the key to conservation of Lake Washington chinook salmon depends upon rebuilding populations using Bear/Cottage Creek." This property provides habitat for Chinook, Coho, Steelhead, Kokanee, and Sockeye salmonid species. This property is the largest contiguous undeveloped parcel in the upper Bear Creek watershed. It contains a significant segment of Bear Creek and numerous tributaries, including Cottage Lake Creek. Preservation of this property with intact timber rights is critical to the vitality of salmon habitat in the upper Bear Creek watershed