Latest news with #GrandRidgePark
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Homeowners hit with massive lawsuit for alleged destructive act to improve views: 'You can't just replace them'
Homeowners hit with massive lawsuit for alleged destructive act to improve views: 'You can't just replace them' A group of homeowners is being sued for cutting down ecologically significant trees, according to KING 5. The municipality of King County, Washington, is seeking $7 million in damages for the cutting of 142 trees in the protected Grand Ridge Park. "When you cut material trees from a canopy like that, you can't just replace them," said local environmental scientist Geoffrey Donovan, per KING. "It's not something you can get a 50-year-old tree, buy it at the store, and put it in place, so this is going to be decades to heal the ecological harm these actions have caused." The act was spotted thanks to trail cameras that had been set up by neighbors for wildlife sighting. The shocking footage shows the felled tree hurtling through the forest and toward the road, potentially posing a threat to those passing. Luckily, the tree didn't make it that far. It is assumed that the trees were cut to improve the Issaquah homeowners' view of nearby West Tiger Mountain. Incidentally, the proposed fine includes the value of the home increased by the improved sightlines. Trail cameras are vital tools for monitoring wildlife population health that can inform better habitat protection. In this case, the cameras have been able to capture forest destruction directly and help enforcement of protections. Trees play a vital role in preventing soil erosion, especially in instances like this where the trees are growing on a hillside. Deep root systems can keep moisture and soil in place that would otherwise be washed away with rain. Mature trees also sequester carbon, thus tamping down destructive weather patterns like floods. Forests improve air quality and reduce temperature thanks to shade and transpiration. Taking strong local action for trees can be as simple as joining nearby conservation groups in planting initiatives and volunteer forestry care. Despite the evidence, it will take some time for Grand Ridge Park to recover, and there are many costs to the loss of mature trees in the meantime. "There's the ecological impact, so the impact on the trees, animals, and plants in the ecosystem," said Donovan, per KING. "You're also going to see an impact on the stormwater runoff, which is going to impact water quality. This can also have an adverse effect on people's health and well-being." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Washington county suing homeowners for $7M after allegedly felling 142 protected trees to score better views
What started as a routine wildlife check turned into a multimillion-dollar legal bombshell. A trail camera set up in Issaquah's Grand Ridge Park to catch glimpses of local wildlife like bobcats and jaguars ended up catching something entirely unexpected: a tree hurtling down a hillside. 'To see a tree just flying down the hill like a javelin was pretty alarming,' Alex Brown, the homeowner who installed the motion-triggered camera, told KING 5. 'Pretty much every day we see a bear coming by that camera, bobcats, cougars, the occasional mountain lions.' Instead, what pinged Brown's phone was a sliding tree and what he discovered when he hiked up to investigate would soon ignite a legal firestorm involving more than 140 felled trees. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Brown said that he 'found that quite a few trees had been cut up there within the park boundary,' adding, 'A lot of them are still lying on that slope, which is alarming to those of us living down here.' Many of the scattered stumps and fallen branches were inside a protected area of Grand Ridge Park. King County has now filed a lawsuit seeking nearly $7 million in damages, accusing several homeowners of illegally cutting down 142 trees, many classified as 'significant,' allegedly for the purpose of scoring a better view of West Tiger Mountain. "This unlawful act caused serious and generational harm to a protected natural area," said King County Parks Director Warren Jimenez in a statement. He added that the cuts violated county codes, disrupted the wildlife habitat and damaged decades of public investment in conservation. Jimenez said the county is going after civil penalties, treble damages and the contractors involved in what they call an environmental breach of trust. Local resident Caitlin McNulty walks the trails daily with her young son Julian and said one of the falling trees landed just a few hundred feet from their home. 'It was just pretty scary because this is part of our regular little Julian loop that we come and walk most days,' McNulty said. She suspects those responsible assumed they could get away with it. 'I imagine they thought there was a really low probability of anyone finding out. It would have been really hard for someone to have known this happened and I think the only reason we did is we had that wildlife camera there,' she said. KING 5 spoke with one of the named homeowners in the lawsuit, who claimed the tree-cutting was done legally and for his family's safety. But county officials aren't convinced. Read more: You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to . In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how You have freedoms as a homeowner in the U.S., but those freedoms stop when they infringe on public safety, environmental integrity, neighbor rights, or zoning laws. Make sure you do your homework before swinging that sledgehammer or aiming that chainsaw. What you can do While you'll want to research the specific laws pertaining to the project you want to carry out, these are general guidelines about what you're typically allowed to do. Home improvements: You can remodel, add rooms, or build a deck, but 'any project that goes beyond a simple repair or aesthetic upgrade' usually requires a permit from your local building department. If you skip this step, you can expect delays, fines, or even forced demolition. Rent your property: There's no federal law stopping you from turning your home into a cash-flow machine but be sure to check local bylaws based on where you live, because every city, county and zoning board writes its own rules, so check before you list that spare room on Airbnb, or other rental services. Landscape paradise: Want a backyard oasis? Go for it, but watch water‐use laws in drought zones and be careful not to disturb wildlife habitats (especially in conservation landscapes). Install solar and eco‑upgrades: 'Solar rights' laws in many states protect your right to go green. But you'll still need permits, interconnection inspections and sometimes an HOA notice. What you can't do Here are some things you shouldn't do if you don't want to get in trouble: Cut down trees without permission: Even if they are in your own yard, many cities and states require permits before removing trees. Fines and requirements often depend on tree size, species, or location. DIY without necessary permits: Building a fence, shed, or even a pool without pulling proper permits? Local authorities can issue a stop-work order, force you to tear it all down and slap you with a fine. It's not just a slap on the wrist; it could be demolition day. Be a noisy neighbor: Constant noise, bright lights, or strong odors from your property? You could end up paying $20,000 to $50,000 in damages under local nuisance laws. Breaking HOA rules: Break HOA rules, like say, paint your house neon green or build an unapproved deck and you could face monthly fines, legal fees, or even foreclosure proceedings. Always consult your municipality before changing property and check for permits for everything from remodeling to major landscaping. Check HOA rules, submit plans for approval and keep documented records and communications of every step along the way. Hire arborists before removing trees, especially large, habitat-important or protected species. Be a considerate neighbor by limiting noisy tools, bright lights and strong odors. While the case in King County is currently civil, the King County Prosecutor's Office says criminal charges are still on the table. As for Brown, he is still shocked by what he saw, 'The fact that so much damage was done and consequently their view was improved raises a lot of questions,' he said. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
King County suing for millions after homeowners allegedly damage 140+ public trees
King County is suing a group of homeowners and the people they may have hired for millions of dollars, claiming they illegally cut down or damaged more than 140 trees on public land in Issaquah. Residents at the bottom of the hill near Grand Ridge Park were alerted to the issue when their trail camera captured a large log barreling down the hill toward their homes. 'It was going so fast, so it was just incredibly unsafe,' said Caitlin McNulty. The log landed just a few hundred feet from McNulty's backyard in a wooded area where her two-year-old son likes to play. 'It was really scary for our family,' she said. McNulty's husband and neighbor went to investigate what happened, and they discovered that several other trees had been cut or damaged up the hill. They reported it to the county, which is now suing a group of homeowners (and the people they may have hired) who they claim are responsible. 'These are shared resources,' McNulty said. 'It's not something that can be rebuilt easily, like all of those trees took hundreds of years to grow.' King County said 142 trees were damaged in a variety of ways, including ones that were cut, split, topped, or debarked. The trees were all on public land, and the homeowners and companies responsible did not have permits or authorization to cut them. The trees were all part of Grand Ridge Park, a 'lush 1,200-acre forest' that is 'maintained as a natural resource preservation space for passive recreation including hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, naturalists, and other recreational activities and environmental benefits,' according to the county. The county says at least one tree 'negligently' flew down the hillside and nearly crossed a road, 'posing a risk of serious injury or death,' according to the county. The county says the homeowners did this to try to benefit their properties, and that at least one of the homes now has a significantly better view of West Tiger Mountain. King County is seeking damages of more than $7 million from the defendants, as well as any other fees to compensate for negligence or trespassing. The county is also asking for an additional civil penalty that could include the amount of increased home value as a result of the improved views of the mountain. 'I think they're taking a really serious stand because it is easy sometimes for people to do this and they can get away with it pretty easily,' McNulty said. 'It's difficult to gain access to that piece of land, and I think that that's true in a lot of places. So I think it's really important that people know there are consequences.' KIRO 7 attempted to contact the defendants, but did not receive a response from those with readily available contract information.
