Sudden Valley committee recommends feasibility work for pump track on community property

A Sudden Valley committee on an unspecified date recommended that the board allow Sudden Valley Safe Cycling to pursue county approvals and feasibility work for a proposed pump track on Sudden Valley community property.

Committee members said the cycling group produced a detailed proposal (13 pages, including cost estimates) and asked the board to authorize the club to meet with the county and other jurisdictions and return with a timeline, cost projections and planning sources. The committee’s recommendation said the board of directors will have the final decision on whether the project moves forward.

The recommendation emphasized regulatory and environmental steps the club must pursue before construction. Members noted the track design as described in the proposal would be composed of compacted surfaces, and discussed whether compacted gravel should be treated as an impervious surface for stormwater calculations. One committee member said compacted surfaces “run off” water faster than loose soil and that, depending on material and compaction, county stormwater rules could apply. Members also raised that a hydraulic project approval from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) would be required only if the work hydraulically altered a creek or other regulated watercourse.

The committee described the proposed pump track as a low‑structure dirt/compacted surface without electricity, plumbing or drainage infrastructure as currently envisioned, and discussed mitigation such as plantings to reduce runoff. Members said the cycling group had prepared costings and educational materials and appeared motivated to lead the project’s outreach and planning phases.

The committee voted to recommend that the board allow Sudden Valley Safe Cycling to consult with the necessary county jurisdictions and other agencies, and to return to the board with schedule and budget information. The committee did not record a formal roll-call vote tally in the transcript; the motion was described and then accepted by voice.

Next steps listed by the committee included: permitting and feasibility conversations with county and state agencies, assessment of surface materials and stormwater implications, and a return report to the board with timeline and cost projections. The board of directors retains authority to approve or reject the project.