RIDGE is a grass-roots citizens' group formed in the summer of 1988, when community residents realized they shared common concerns about the harvest of forested lands surrounding Upper Kittitas County (UKC) communities.

RIDGE initially responded to Plum Creek Timber Company's plan to harvest all of the merchantable timber on its 150,000 acres within the county. This area includes the ridge-to-river corridor surrounding the towns of Roslyn and Ronald. The rapid depletion of forests along I-90 from Snoqualmie Pass to Ellensburg reminds us of the need for solutions that have the economic and ecological foundations of our region.

In the early nineties, RIDGE expanded its focus to include a broader concept of land use planning. RIDGE has since worked to:

• Ensure responsible interpretation of the Growth Management Act (GMA).
• Establish accountability regarding rate of harvest among private landowners.
• Promote sustainable ecosystems and economies.
• Educate the public to further stewardship of the land.
• Guarantee wildlife habitat.
• Assure continued quality of life in our communities.
• The forest lands which surround us renew us when we take the few steps outside our doors that lead to a mountain hike.
• We coexist with the less tangible, but equally fundamental components of the forest ecosystem: air, water, soils, wildlife, and spiritual renewal.

Since its inception, RIDGE has:

• Sponsored town meetings.
• Attended local and county planning meetings.
• Been a citizens' advisory committee for the city of Roslyn.
• Participated in the Sustainable Forestry Roundtable (a state wide forum) by invitation of the State Land Commissioner, to deal with forestry issues on state and private lands.
• Monitored and mapped Forest Practice Applications (FPA's) in Upper Kittitas County.
• Contributed to public hearings involving land-use issues.
• Facilitated development of SUSTAIN, a State-wide Coalition of twenty diverse groups seeking a sustainable rate of harvest.
• Acted as regional clearinghouse on forest (ecological and economic) issues in Upper Kittitas County.
• Received a Bullit Foundation grant and many public donations to support our efforts.
• Worked to save valuable resource lands in the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.

Currently RIDGE is working with Suncadia Resort (formerly called MountainStar) to enforce the RIDGE Agreement as construction and land platting continues on Washington states first Master Planned Resort. This Agreement was negotiated by RIDGE on behalf of the City of Roslyn and the local community to preserve Open Space and public access along the Cle Elum River within Suncadia's 6000 acres.

You can find a copy of the RIDGE Settlement Agreement Regarding MountainStar Master Planned Resort (MPR), Cle Elum Urban Growth Area (UGA) and Supporting Infrastructure and Services by visiting our Documents Library.

In 2004 Suncadia negotiated with RIDGE for modifications of the original agreement resulting in Suncadia's purchase and subsequent donation to the City of Roslyn of 330 acres of forested lands along the north and east perimeter of town.

The Second Amendment to the original RIDGE Settlement Agreement can also be found in our Documents Library.

RIDGE is a non-profit, 501c3 all volunteer organization.