This project will allow the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to acquire riparian habitat along Cherry Creek, within the Markworth Forest in King County. Cherry Creek is a high quality salmonid stream. Although the project area is above a natural barrier to anadromous fish, it provides vital protection to headwater forest and wetlands. This portion of Cherry Creek is unique in that the Olympic mudminnow, a state sensitive species thought to occur only in coastal drainages and a couple of rivers in southwest Washington, has been found here. DNR is taking significant steps to eliminate private inholdings within the forest in order to eliminate or relocate a mainline road that has been identified as a major silt producer for nearby Stossel Creek (coho spawning stream). Acquisition will include a minimum of 220' buffers around significant wetlands adjacent to Cherry Creek. A total of 25 acres of riparian habitat, wetlands and expanded buffers will be protected, most likely through a conservation easement. An empty, rustic house and outbuildings on the property will be demolished and removed. DNR, in partnership with King County, will acquire an additional 30 acres of adjacent uplands, remove the development rights and manage that as a working forest. While acquisition of the riparian area (25 acres) and uplands (30 acres) will occur simultaneously, WWRP grant funds will not be applied to the 30 acres.