The Critical Areas Ordinance, otherwise know as the CAO, requires rural property owners to leave up to 65 percent of their land in its natural state as a way of preserving it.

Many landowners see the rule as restrictive.

"That's 65 percent they can't do anything with, they can't clear it, they can't run animals on it, they can't do anything," explained Ron Ewart, a King County landowner.

Edwina Johnston, who is also affected by the CAO said, "this is my retirement investment. My 30 acres is all I have. If they take that I have nothing and I'm 71-years-old."

Ewart helped organize a protest Saturday of more than a couple dozen other landowners. They all loaded up on a bus, and drove to the King County Administrator's neighborhood to stage a surprise protest in front of his home.

When protesters arrived, Ron Sims was not at home, therefore he was not available for comment.

The group brought a bundle of weeds to Sims' home and left them on his doorstep as a symbol of their frustration.

"These are all the noxious weeds that grow on our property that we are now prevented from removing," Chuck Pillon explained. "You've got deadly weeds, you've got blackberries that will take this area over in a year," he said as he pointed to the grass.

Sims may have missed the protest, but neighbors certainly noticed the spectacle on their street.

Landowners tell KOMO 4 News they will continue to aggressively, but peacefully, make sure that King County understands their position on the issue.