The Mitchell Hill Land (currently a property of the Department of Natural Resources) is a unique and wonderful place full of amazing wildlife on the upper West end of San Juan Island off West Valley Road. A steering committee has been formed to research various ways to save this valuable community resource. There is a threat of private development, that could close the doors to public access to this 320 acres. This piece of property is very dear to our island. It needs to remain open to public access, as it is an important link to English Camp (A National Park) and the Roche Harbor Highlands ( a private Open Space and Watershed District). It has an important Historic Military Road segment in it that once connected English Camp to American Camp.
Congressman Rick Larson, has sponsored a bill (HR-2407) to add Mitchell Hill to English Camp. Several Funding possibilities to retain Mitchell Hill for public use need to be identified, and our County Council members are working on options for us. The Mitchell Hill Conservancy seeks to help in this process of saving Mitchell Hill for public access. We are working with the San Juan Island Trails Committee, The San Juan County Land Bank, Friends of the San Juans, the San Juan County Council, National Historical Parks, Legislators and you the public to help preserve Mitchell Hill.
The Mitchell Hill property is undeveloped property partially logged by Department of Natural Resources some years ago. Both man-made and wildlife trails cross its terrain, varying from predominantly Douglas fir forest and mossy stone outcroppings to lush wetlands and grassy open meadows. These features connect with, and further enhance, similar features already within Mitchell Hill. Many animal trails flow from one entity to the other.
Mitchell Hill is a very popular destination on San Juan Island for island residents as well as the numerous visitors to the San Juan Islands. Residents and visitors to the Pacific Northwest value those qualities of life which permit nearby access to raw nature and to outdoor activities such as hiking, bicycling, and use of non-motorized vehicles. Significant stretches of the existing trails are accessible to disabled individuals. The benign climate of the area allows usage most of the year.
Mitchell Hill contains a spur of the old Military Road which connected English Camp and American Camp during the Pig War of 1859-1872. It is hoped that eventually a continuous transportation corridor between the two camps will be re-established (a distance of about 12 miles.) It is further hoped that this segment ultimately will become a part of a perimeter corridor around the whole island. Many segments already exist.
Given that the Washington Department of Natural Resources intends to divest itself of the Mitchell Hill property in one way or another, adding it to the National Park would prevent possible inappropriate land use immediately adjacent to Mitchell Hill (as has occurred in some parts of the U.S.) There is a strong groundswell of support for the acquisition and no known opposition. There are many reasons for the citizenry to support the bill. These reasons include economic benefit resulting from attraction of businesses and visitors by enhancing quality of life; recreational benefits for diverse groups of individuals and activities, and enhancement of real estate investment values, among others.