Save a Forest in Southworth, WA

Southworth Forest Update:

Kitsap County: Timber Trespass Impacts Are Considered

Posted May 19, 2023 by Southworth Forest

Exhibit 12C: Edwards cleared and re-graded up to 1,000 square feet on the property to their northwest in the original 2019 violation, cutting and shaving trees. The red line denotes the surveyed and marked property line. This area is the last remaining natural buffer between the two properties, and Edwards now proposes removing all remaining vegetation to the left for an additional road entrance. (2019)

The Kitsap County Department of Community Development (DCD) continues to review the impacts of the deforestation of 11090 SE Southworth Dr. in Port Orchard by Meghan and Clint Edwards. The County DCD has confirmed to neighbors that the impacts of timber trespass committed by Edwards against multiple neighbors in their original 2019 violation can be considered during the review of environmental impacts on the area and possible mitigation.

Despite neglecting to survey their property lines after pledging to neighbors that they would do so, Edwards cleared the north end of their forest up to and over their boundaries in 2019, exposing neighbors to further environmental impacts. Edwards claims no responsibility or accountability for these actions, and they showed no empathy or remorse upon learning that the damage to multiple neighboring parcels made the owners of those properties weep.

Although the liability for this cruel timber trespass is a civil matter, the Kitsap DCD is responsible for considering the additional environmental impacts caused by Edwards' clearing of neighbors' land as part of the original action. Because their removal of the trees and understory outside of the proposed conversion worsens impacts on soils, climate, scenic resources, and aesthetics beyond Edwards' legal right to convert their property to agriculture, additional protections for neighbors must be considered.

Buffers of solid conifer screening should be installed by Edwards along the northeast, north, northwest, and west perimeters of the converted area to protect neighbors from their environmental impacts. These buffers are particularly important in the timber trespass areas, especially since Edwards has filed legal claims against neighbors to stop the restoration of the timber trespass area on one other violated parcel. The Southworth Community is depending on the Kitsap DCD to keep its word about considering the timber trespass impacts when evaluating mitigation options.

Exhibit 12A: BEFORE - The northwest corner of Edwards' parcel is shown partway through the deforestation process. Red lines denote the surveyed and marked property line. Neither gate post shown is on Edwards' property. The current road enters Edwards' property from the north. (2019)

Exhibit 12B: AFTER - The same area seen in the previous exhibit is shown three years later. Edwards removed fir trees on the property to the left (north) without permission, exacerbating heat, wind, and aesthetic impacts on multiple neighboring properties. Note the blackberry spread on this northern property as a result. (2022)

Exhibit 12D: An alternate view of Exhibit 12C to Edwards' northwest above shows damages from the opposite direction. Trees, huckleberries, and smaller shrubs, including salal and sword ferns, were eliminated by Edwards, who also pushed 4 to 5 inches of dirt and boulders onto the neighboring parcel. (2019)

Exhibit 12E: Edwards pushed 4 to 5 inches of dirt onto the neighboring parcel when re-grading the area, causing native topsoil and tree roots to become buried under disparate fill. Such soil impacts threaten remaining trees near that boundary. (2021)

Per State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) evaluation, the relevant WAC 197-11-444 elements for these tiber trespass impacts are:

• (1) Natural environment > (a) Earth > (ii) Soils
• (1) Natural environment > (b) Air > (iii) Climate
• (1) Natural environment > (e) Energy and natural resources > (v) Scenic resources
• (2) Built environment > (b) Land and shoreline use > (iv) Aesthetics