Preserve the Environment of Island Lake-Kitsap Co.

A community group known as the Friends of Island Lake is raising funds to preserve and protect the environment of Island Lake (Kitsap County, WA) for the residents of and visitors to Kitsap County. Island Lake is a small lake located just north of Silverdale, WA. There is a county park at the north end of the lake that provides numerous activities including fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, swimming and a wedding venue.

At the south end of the lake is a former children's camp run by Crista Ministries. In 2021, Crista closed the camp and sold the 130 acre camp to a developer. The camp property is heavily forested, has a creek, known as Barker Creek, that begins at Island Lake and runs through the property eventually emptying into Puget Sound. Barker Creek is a salmon bearing creek with Coho salmon, coastal cutthroat trout, possible resident cutthroat trout, and abundant amphibians. The Island Lake and Barker Creek area is also home to abundant wildlife including deer, bear, beaver, otter, bald eagles, blue heron, osprey, many varieties of waterfowl, and turtles.

In early 2022, a developer from Redmond, WA purchased the West 55 acres of the camp property and is in the process of obtaining development permits for a 329-unit housing development. The developer has stated that he plans to clear-cut the property and change much of the topography of the land.

The Friends of Island Lake has opposed many aspects of this development since the summer of 2021. Much of the cost to date has been borne by the group leaders of the Friends of Island Lake. We need your help to continue our efforts in opposition of the development as proposed. In the near future, there may even need to be legal challenges to this project depending on how the county rules on environmental aspects of the development.

In addition to the current project under consideration, the remaining 75 acres of the camp property plus an adjoining 20 acre tract is being considered for re-zoning from rural (1 dwelling per 5 acres) to urban (5-9 dwellings per acre). If approved, as many as 855 additional housing units could be built on this beautiful rural property. The Friends of Island Lake and many residents of Central Valley are vehemently opposed to changing the rural nature of this property. The traffic generated by this will have a severe negative impact to Central Valley Road and the other minor roads in the area. Island Lake and Barker Creek will be negatively impacted as well with the removal of trees and extensive bulldozing should this property be developed.

How can you help? Please make a donation to this GoFundMe to help defray the cost of defending this pristine property. Any amount you can afford to donate ($10, $20, $50+) will help the Friends of Island Lake continue their efforts in protecting this environment for you and future generations. The Friends of Island Lake is an all-volunteer community group. All donations will go toward actual costs incurred with this effort. Your help is greatly appreciated.