I know I have called on Oly blog readers for help to save Millerslyvania State Park and South Thurston Co. before, but now it is crunch time. We need as many names (not signatures) as we can before the port goes to the commissioners to tell them not to rezone. Please read the info below and if you are interested in saving this diverse ecosystem send your name and contact info (email OR phone number OR address)to alex.bertolucci@gmail.com. We will not call, email or mail you anything this is just to show your support for the environment. Just send your name and contact info. Thanks a ton! www.FriendsOfRockyPrairie.com

Rocky Prairie is located 13 miles south of Olympia in Thurston County, and 1/2 mile from Millerslyvania State Park, and forms a rare habitat matrix unique to Washington. This fragile environment includes rare oak woodland, wetlands, and native outwash prairie and is home to numerous state and federally threatened and endangered species (see attached). The prairie lies within the Black River watershed where agency and organizational partners have been working to protect sensitive watershed areas. Rocky Prairie also forms the headwaters for two salmon-bearing streams running through it, and its hydrology is important to 100’s of residents who live nearby. In 2006, approximately 800 acres of Rocky Prairie were purchased by the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife [WDFW] for conservation and restoration purposes. That agency, in conjunction with the Nature Conservancy, has spent 15 years attempting to procure the entire 1650 acres of valuable habitat.

In 2006 the Port of Tacoma, in conjunction with the Port of Olympia, purchased the remaining 745 acres of this biologically diverse area to develop the “South Sound Logistics Center.” Their plans contain numerous possibilities including a rail switching yard, chemical manufacturing plant, solid waste transfer facility, high-cube warehousing, and inter-modal (truck and rail) freight and trans-load operations. This would create a massive 24-hour per day industrial complex the size of downtown Olympia – situated between WDFW’s portion of Rocky Prairie, bordering 3 sides, and a long-term undeveloped forest, the McIntosh Tree Farm.

The Friends of Rocky Prairie, a citizen group responding to the Port’s plans, formed in February of 2007 and has expanded into a large alliance of over 500 citizens, with a growing coalition of businesses, churches and conservation groups. They believe this facility is a serious threat to this rare prairie environment, to historic Millersylvania State Park, to the expansive McIntosh Tree Farm, to the delicate Black River watershed, and to the rural treasure of South Thurston County. For more information visit our website at www.FriendsOfRockyPrairie.com For information and updates, or to join us, email: FORPrairie@hotmail.com

REQUEST FOR REZONE The Port of Tacoma’s parcel is currently zoned 40% Rural Resource Industrial + 60% Rural Residential 1/5 (1 house per 5 acres). Their plans would require 100% (non-rural) Industrial zoning. The McIntosh property, between the Port property and the State Park, is currently zoned RR1/5.

THE MCINTOSH FAMILY HAS OFFERED TO DOWNZONE APPROXIMATELY 900 ACRES TO RR1/20 (OR AGRICULTURAL) IF THURSTON COUNTY DOWNZONES THE PORT’S PORTION OF ROCKY PRAIRIE ALSO.

The purpose of the rezone is: To bring the land into conforming use with the adjacent WDFW Preserve, Millersylvania State Park, and the surrounding area – all compatible eco-systems comprising roughly 4/5ths of the area, and thousands of acres. To prevent inappropriate site usage; To create safe wildlife corridors; To preserve the rural character of the region; To protect water resources; To support the spirit and letter of both the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan and the State Growth Management Act.