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Home My WebLink AboutHearing Notice re: Conservation Futures Applications for 2025 615 Sheridan Street 9e/i n Port Townsend, WA 98368 U www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org Public Health JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Michael Dawson,Water Quality Manager, Environmental Public Health and Water Quality Tami Pokorny,Natural Resources Program Coordinator DATE: fci i y Zeiz-S SUBJECT: Setting a Public Hearing Date and Publishing a Public Hearing Notice on the Conservation Futures Applications for 2025 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Public Health requests BoCC approval of a Public Hearing Notice to take comments regarding the three Conservation Futures Fund project applications submitted for consideration during the 2025 funding cycle. The notice is to be published on July 9 and July 16, 2025 in The Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader. The hearing is tentatively scheduled for Monday,July 21, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ANALYSIS: Jefferson County Code(JCC) 3.08.030(4) requires a notice of public hearing prior to final action by the Board of County Commissioners on annual allocations from the Conservation Futures Fund. Public comment on the Deerfoot Forest, Toandos Forest Acquisition and Restoration, and Upper Yarr Creek Protection projects will be accepted from July 9,2025 until the close of the Commissioners' hearing. After the public hearing, the BoCC may resolve to award funding to one or more of these projects. The originally scheduled July 7, 2025 hearing was cancelled due to technical upgrades to the County's document platform,making hearing materials inaccessible prior to the hearing. FISCAL IMPACT: Costs to publish the Public Hearing Notice in The Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader will be paid by the Conservation Futures Fund. RECOMMENDATION: To facilitate a timely public process, Public Health recommends that BoCC approve the Public Hearing Notice to hold the hearing on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. REVIEWED BY: Josh eters, County Administrator Date Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) Always working for a safer and healthier community (f) 360-379-4487 11t PT Leader: Please publish two times (July 9 and July 16, 2025) Contact Person: Tami Pokorny Bill to: Jefferson County Public Health, Water Quality 615 Sheridan St. Port Townsend, WA 98368 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Conservation Futures Fund Program Project Applications in 2025 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing is scheduled by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners for MONDAY,July 21, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers, County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (HYBRID). Notice of said hearing is to be published in the official newspaper of Jefferson County. Conservation Futures funds available to projects in 2025 total $323,200. The total amount requested for projects recommended in 2025 (Deerfoot Forest, Toandos Forest Acquisition and Restoration, Upper Yarr Creek Protection) is $230,500. Per JCC 3.08.030(4), the BOCC must hold a public hearing to take comments on the projects submitted for consideration during the Conservation Futures funding cycle. This agenda item is to approve the public notice only; individual funding awards will be reviewed at the public hearing. The information is available for viewing on the County website by visiting: www.co.jefferson.wa.us and follow this pathway—Services— Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public) - Board of Commissioners— BOCC Agenda Packets —2025 Weekly Agenda Items—21 July 2025— 072125 — HEARING re Conservation Futures You are welcome to participate in this hearing. You will need to join the meeting by 2:30 p.m. using the following methods: VIRTUALLY: Via the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93777841705, PHONE: Dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter access code: 937-7784-1705# and press *9 to "raise your hand" to be called upon. Access for the hearing impaired can be accommodated using Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6384, or IN-PERSON at the address listed above. In addition, written testimony is also invited beginning on July 9, 2025 and ending on July 21, 2025 at the end of the Public Hearing, unless extended by the Board of County Commissioners. Written public testimony may be submitted by Email to:jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us You may view documents and testimony received by visiting: www.co.jefferson.wa.us and following this pathway —Services—Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public)—Board of Commissioners— BOCC Agenda Packets—2025 Weekly Agenda Items— 21 July 2025 —072125—HEARING re Conservation Futures You can also Mail your testimony to:Jefferson County Commissioners' Office; P.O. Box 1220, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Written testimony must be received by the Board of County Commissioners by he end of the hearing testimony period. Si ed is Tay July, 2025. JEF N COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS /S/Heidi Eisenhour, Chair STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of Dedicating Conservation Futures Funds to the Deerfoot Forest Project as RESOLUTION NO. Authorized by an in Accordance with Jefferson County Code (JCC) Chapter 3.08 to Provide a System of Open Spaces WHEREAS, Conservation Futures Fund tax levy collections, authorized under RCW 84.34.230, are an important means of retaining community character and accomplishing the open space policies and objectives of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan that encourage the coordinated acquisition of key open space lands for long-term protection; and WHEREAS, Jefferson County is authorized by RCW 84.34.210 and RCW 84.34.220 to acquire open space land,agricultural and timber lands as defined in RCW 84.34.220; and WHEREAS, the Conservation Futures Fund Citizen Oversight Committee has reviewed project applications for 2025 and made its funding recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners in accordance chapter 3.08 JCC; and WHEREAS,under the provisions of the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund Program,Jefferson Land Trust, as project sponsor, requests funding towards the acquisition of conservation easements on two (2) parcels of land in S5 T27N R l W with Assessor's Parcel Numbers 701052002 and 70105201 1 and to reimburse operations and maintenance costs; and WHEREAS, the County retains enough developable land to accommodate the Deerfoot Forest project as well as the housing and employment growth that it is expected to receive,thus satisfying the requirement of RCW 84.34.240(3);and WHEREAS, Jefferson County considers it in the best public interest to contribute financially to this open space project; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,STATE OF WASHINGTON: Section 1.Whereas Clauses Adopted as Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the above"Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact. Section 2. Dedication of Acquisition Funds Approved. Jefferson County hereby dedicates up to $98,000 in Conservation Futures funds towards reimbursement of eligible acquisition expenses for the Deerfoot Forest project. Funding is contingent upon presentation of a matching contribution of at least fifty percent (50%). The sponsor anticipates that the matching contribution will be fifty-one percent (51%) at the time of project completion. Section 3. Dedication of Operations and Maintenance Funds Approved. Jefferson County hereby dedicates up to $12,000 in Conservation Futures funds towards reimbursement for eligible operations and maintenance expenses incurred within ten years of the signing of this resolution, contingent on a matching contribution of no less than the amount of Conservation Futures Funds requested for operations and maintenance. Section 4. Nullification. This dedication of funding may be nullified if a submittal for reimbursement, accompanied by documentation of matching funds sufficient to complete the acquisition,is not received from the sponsor within three years of the signing of this resolution. Section 5. Severability. If any section,subsection,sentence,clause,or phrase of this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this resolution or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be affected. Section 6. Effective Date. This resolution is effective upon adoption. Section 7. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This resolution is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-I I-800(19). (SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE) Page 2 of 3 APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of 2025. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SEAL: Heidi Eisenhour,Chair Greg Brotherton,Member Heather Dudley-Nollette,Member ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Carolyn Gallaway, Date Philip C.Hunsucker, Date Deputy Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Page 3 of 3 STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of Dedicating Conservation Futures Funds to the Toandos Forest Acquisition and RESOLUTION NO. Restoration Project as Authorized by an in Accordance with Jefferson County Code (JCC) Chapter 3.08 to Provide a System of Open Spaces WHEREAS, Conservation Futures Fund tax levy collections, authorized under RCW 84.34.230, are an important means of retaining community character and accomplishing the open space policies and objectives of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan that encourage the coordinated acquisition of key open space lands for long-term protection;and WHEREAS, Jefferson County is authorized by RCW 84.34.210 and RCW 84.34.220 to acquire open space land,agricultural and timber lands as defined in RCW 84.34.220; and WHEREAS, the Conservation Futures Fund Citizen Oversight Committee has reviewed project applications for 2025 and made its funding recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners in accordance with chapter 3.08 JCC; and WHEREAS, under the provisions of the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund Program, Northwest Watershed Institute,as project sponsor,requests funding towards reimbursement for acquisition of one (1)parcel of land in S15 T27N RI W with Assessor's Parcel Number 701153003; and WHEREAS, the County retains enough developable land to accommodate the Toandos Forest Acquisition and Restoration project as well as the housing and employment growth that it is expected to receive, thus satisfying the requirement of RCW 84.34.240(3); and WHEREAS, Jefferson County considers it in the best public interest to contribute financially to this open space project;and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,STATE OF WASHINGTON: Section 1.Whereas Clauses Adopted as Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the above"Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact. Section 2. Dedication of Acquisition Funds Approved. Jefferson County hereby dedicates up to $76,000 in Conservation Futures funds towards reimbursement of eligible acquisition expenses for the Toandos Forest Acquisition and Restoration project. Funding is contingent upon presentation of a matching contribution of at least fifty percent(50%).The sponsor anticipates that the matching contribution will be fifty percent(50%)at the time of project completion. Section 3. Dedication of Operations and Maintenance Funds Approved. Jefferson County hereby dedicates up to $18,500 in Conservation Futures funds towards reimbursement for eligible operations and maintenance expenses incurred within ten years of the signing of this resolution, contingent on a matching contribution of no less than the amount of Conservation Futures Funds requested for operations and maintenance. Section 4. Nullification. This dedication of funding may be nullified if a submittal for reimbursement, accompanied by documentation of matching funds sufficient to complete the acquisition, is not received from the sponsor within three years of the signing of this resolution. Section 5. Severability. If any section,subsection,sentence,clause,or phrase of this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this resolution or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be affected. Section 6. Effective Date. This resolution is effective upon adoption. Section 7. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This resolution is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800(19). (SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE) Page 2 of 3 APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of 2025. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SEAL: Heidi Eisenhour,Chair Greg Brotherton,Member Heather Dudley-Nollette,Member ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Carolyn Gallaway, Date Philip C.Hunsucker, Date Deputy Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Page 3 of 3 STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of Dedicating Conservation Futures Funds to the Upper Yarr Creek Protection RESOLUTION NO. Project as Authorized by an in Accordance with Jefferson County Code (JCC) Chapter 3.08 to Provide a System of Open Spaces WHEREAS, Conservation Futures Fund tax levy collections, authorized under RCW 84.34.230, are an important means of retaining community character and accomplishing the open space policies and objectives of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan that encourage the coordinated acquisition of key open space lands for long-term protection; and WHEREAS, Jefferson County is authorized by RCW 84.34.210 and RCW 8434.220 to acquire open space land,agricultural and timber lands as defined in RCW 34.34.220; and WHEREAS, the Conservation Futures Fund Citizen Oversight Committee has reviewed project applications for 2025 and made its funding recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners in accordance with chapter 3.08 JCC; and WHEREAS, under the provisions of the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund Program, Northwest Watershed Institute,as project sponsor,requests funding towards reimbursement for acquisition of one (1)parcel of land in S29 T28N R1 W with Assessor's Parcel Number 801293003;and WHEREAS, the County retains enough developable land to accommodate the Upper Yarr Creek Protection project as well as the housing and employment growth that it is expected to receive,thus satisfying the requirement of RCW 84.34.240(3); and WHEREAS. Jefferson County considers it in the best public interest to contribute financially to this open space project; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,STATE OF WASHINGTON: Section 1.Whereas Clauses Adopted as Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the above "Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact. Section 2. Dedication of Acquisition Funds Approved. Jefferson County hereby dedicates up to S26,000 in Conservation Futures funds towards reimbursement of eligible acquisition expenses for the Upper Yarr Creek Protection project. Funding is contingent upon presentation of a matching contribution of at least fifty percent (50%). The sponsor anticipates that the matching contribution will be fifty percent (50%) at the time of project completion. Section 3. Nullification. This dedication of funding may be nullified if a submittal for reimbursement, accompanied by documentation of matching funds sufficient to complete the acquisition,is not received from the sponsor within three years of the signing of this resolution. Section 4. Severability. If any section,subsection,sentence,clause,or phrase of this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this resolution or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be affected. Section 5. Effective Date. This resolution is effective upon adoption. Section 6. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This resolution is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-I 1-800(19). (SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE) Page 2 of 3 APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of 2025. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SEAL: Heidi Eisenhour,Chair Greg Brotherton,Member Heather Dudley-Nollette,Member ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Carolyn Gallaway, Date Philip C.Hunsucker, Date Deputy Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Page 3 of 3