About Citizens To Preserve The Upper Snohomish River Valley

   About CPUSRV
    Where to submit a
   contribution

Home > About CPUSRV

About Citizens To Preserve The
Upper Snohomish River Valley

As the population of Snohomish County grows, many citizens face development proposals that are believed to be out of sync with the traditional uses of local land. Responding to this, a grass roots organization, the Citizens to Preserve the Upper Snohomish River Valley or CPUSRV has been formed. We have gathered widespread support to oppose what we believe involves significant threats to the nature of our local community. Our members fear that the approval of the new uses in the river valley may set a precedent that other valley properties could follow; and, we have been moved to unite and take a stand against the environmental impacts, and conversion of agricultural land to more commercial uses.

The situation we are facing strikes a chord with many, in part because it mirrors the plight of small towns nationwide that struggle to remain unique locations as the surrounding areas change. The arguments run in familiar fashion: landowners claim that progress cannot be stopped, and developers argue that their proposals are essential to economic growth. What may be overlooked, however, is that unrestricted action can threaten a sensitive and valued local environment.

The Upper Snohomish River Valley is south of the town of Snohomish, WA, and includes the Snohomish River, Bob Heirman Wildlife Park and Lord Hill Regional Park. The Upper Snohomish River Valley is home to a multitude of bird species; it is particularly known for Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, ducks/geese, and songbirds or passerines.

The members of CPUSRV hope to be able to protect the fragile river valley environment from damage and preserve the rural nature of the area. Our group’s efforts have the support of the Pilchuck Audubon Society, Snohomish County Parks and Recreation, the State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Trumpeter Swan Society. The issue faced by local residents is not unfamiliar, nor is it entirely unique. It is a two-way struggle that has occurred with increasing frequency as more and more rural land disappears due to increasing urban land use. In the end, our local citizens would like to watch the eagles and swans with the knowledge that our treasured birds, and the area in which they reside, and our valley wildlife park will be secure for future generations.