The goal of this project is to purchase the development rights on 118 acres of the Bonlie property so that it is permanently preserved as farmland. The property is at the southern edge of the designated Snoqualmie Valley Agricultural Production District (APD), which is also the northern edge of the City of Carnation's urban growth boundary. Carnation has just begun installing a city-wide sewer system which will enable it to attract both commercial and residential development. Although properties within the APD are protected from urban development, as Carnation grows there may be pressure to expand its urban growth boundary. Preserving the Bonlie property as farmland now, while it is still affordable, will ensure that the APD remains intact by preventing the City from spreading beyond its existing urban growth boundary and into the APD.

This property has very high quality agricultural soil and is used for a small, family-operated dairy. In addition to preserving the irreplaceable, agricultural soil, purchasing the development rights will increase the likelihood that the property stays in agricultural production, as it will help to keep it both affordable and available for farming. This acquisition helps to achieve King County's dual goals of retaining local agriculture and having it remain a viable component of the County's economy.