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Home My WebLink AboutHEARING re Conservation FuturesAlways working for a safer and healthier community 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR AGENDA REQUEST TO: FROM: DATE: Board of County Commissioners Josh Peters, County Administrator Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager, Environmental Public Health Tressa Linquist, Conservation Futures Program Clerk July 27, 2026 SUBJECT: Public Hearing and Possible Decision Regarding Applications for Conservation Futures Funding in 2026 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Conservation Futures Fund Program (Chapter 3.08 JCC) requires a duly noticed public hearing be held as part of the process for allocating funds to projects that protect public open spaces. On July 13, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved a notice announcing a public hearing to be held on July 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. regarding the 2026 Conservation Futures Fund project applications. The notice was published in The Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader on July 15 and July 22, 2026. After receiving public comment and reviewing the Department of Community Development’s analysis of growth-related impacts, the BoCC may determine which project(s) to fund and adopt the corresponding funding resolution(s). ANALYSIS: Conservation Futures Fund tax levy collections, authorized under RCW 84.34.230, are an important means of retaining community character and accomplishing open space policies and objectives of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan. The goal of the program is to preserve and protect the county’s open space resources from being negatively and permanently affected by development. The two (2) applications to the Conservation Futures Fund in 2026 are: 1.East Dabob Bay Acquisition: Applicant requests $395,000 towards fee simple acquisition of one parcel totaling 41.83 acres, located on Dabob Bay in Quilcene. The acquisition would create protected open space along 1403 feet of shoreline. The proposed match is $1,354,000 in funds from the Navy’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program, National Coastal grants, and private donations. The project applicant and sponsor is Northwest Watershed Institute. Project location: S34 T27N R1W. 2.Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link: Applicant requests $43,312.50 towards acquisition of a conservation easement on one (1) parcel located near Discovery Bay in Port Always working for a safer and healthier community Community Health Environmental Public Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 Townsend. The easement would allow for trail right-of-way access for the larger Olympic Discovery Trail network. The proposed match is $43,312.50 in private donations. The project applicant is Peninsula Trail Coalition. The sponsor is Jefferson County Public Health. Project location: S19 T29 R1W. At its April 21, 2026 meeting, the Conservation Futures Fund Citizen Oversight Committee voted unanimously to fully fund both projects. This briefing packet contains: •Draft resolutions consistent with the recommendations of the CFF Committee •SEPA exemption statement (Greg Ballard, SEPA Responsible Official, DCD) •Draft summary of the April 21, 2026 CFF Committee meeting •Public Comment received by program staff •Growth impact analysis from Greg Ballard, Jefferson County DCD •Map of conservation futures projects 2003-2026 •CFF Committee recommendations memo, Chair Ron Rempel •Two (2) Conservation Futures Fund project applications RCW 84.34.230 and 84.34.240(3) require that rights or interests in real property acquired with CFF funds shall not “reduce the capacity of land suitable for development necessary to accommodate the allocated housing and employment growth plans” of the County. An analysis on such impacts from the Jefferson County Department of Community Development is provided here, which concludes that the proposed 2026 Conservation Futures projects would not significantly reduce Jefferson County’s capacity to accommodate planned population or employment growth, and the County would retain sufficient land to meet projected housing and employment needs if the projects were implemented. Grant agreements for approved projects between project sponsors and the County will be developed by Environmental Public Health and submitted to BoCC for approval. FISCAL IMPACT: The explicit purpose of the Conservation Futures Fund and Program is to fund acquisition projects to support a system of public open spaces. There is no impact to the General Fund for this effort. RECOMMENDATION: Review the two (2) CFF project applications and supporting documentation. Hold a public hearing on July 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Consider written and oral testimony at the public hearing and adopt any of the enclosed funding resolutions, with or without revisions. REVIEWED BY: ____________________ ______________________________ Josh D. Peters, County Administrator Date 7/7/2026 STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of Dedicating Conservation Futures Funds to the East Dabob Bay Acquisition Project as Authorized by an in Accordance with Jefferson County Code (JCC) Chapter 3.08 to Provide a System of Open Spaces RESOLUTION NO. ________________ 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 2026 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, Northwest Watershed Institute, as project sponsor, requests funding towards fee simple acquisition of one (1) parcel of land in S34 T27N R1W with Assessor’s Parcel Number 701341004 and totaling 41.83 acres; and WHEREAS, the County retains enough developable land to accommodate the East Dabob Bay Acquisition 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 $395,000 in Conservation Futures funds towards reimbursement of eligible acquisition expenses for the East Dabob Bay Acquisition project. Funding is contingent upon presentation of a matching contribution of at least seventy-six percent (76%). 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. Page 2 of 3 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 197-11-800(5). (SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE) Page 3 of 3 APPROVED AND ADOPTED this _____ day of _________________________ 2026. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SEAL: ______________________________ Heidi Eisenhour, Member ______________________________ Greg Brotherton, Chair ______________________________ Heather Dudley-Nollette, Member ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: ______________________________ ______________________________ Carolyn Gallaway, Philip C. Hunsucker, Date Deputy Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of Dedicating Conservation Futures Funds to the Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link Project as Authorized by an in Accordance with Jefferson County Code (JCC) Chapter 3.08 to Provide a System of Open Spaces RESOLUTION NO. ________________ 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 2026 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 County Public Health, as project sponsor, requests funding towards the acquisition of a conservation easement on one (1) parcel of land in S19 T29 R1W with Assessor’s Parcel Number 901193003; and WHEREAS, the County retains enough developable land to accommodate the Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link 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 $43,312.50 in Conservation Futures funds towards reimbursement of eligible acquisition expenses for the Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link project. Funding is contingent upon presentation of a matching contribution of at least fifty percent (50%). 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. Page 2 of 3 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 197-11-800(5). (SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE) Page 3 of 3 APPROVED AND ADOPTED this _____ day of _________________________ 2026. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SEAL: ______________________________ Heidi Eisenhour, Member ______________________________ Greg Brotherton, Chair ______________________________ Heather Dudley-Nollette, Member ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: ______________________________ ______________________________ Carolyn Gallaway, Philip C. Hunsucker, Date Deputy Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney JEFF ER SO N C O U N T Y DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPM ENT 621 Sheridan Street I Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-379-4454 I email: gballard@co.jefferson.wa.us www.co.jefferson.wa.us/260/CommunityDevelopment MEMO DATE: TO: FROM: RE: June 30, 2026 Interested Parties /)\, o✓~ Greg Ballard, DCD C~dltii~istrator & SEPA Responsible Official SEPA Exemption for Conservation Futures acquiring a trail easement for 1275 SR 20 (APN 901193003) for a potential Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount proposed by Jefferson County Environmental Public Health (EPH) As the SEPA Responsible Official, I have determined that the acquisition of a trail easement with no proposed work is exempt from SEPA per WAC 197-11-800(5) - purchase or sale of real property. It would also be exempt from SEPA per WAC197-11-800(19)(a) -procedural actions. If the trail is developed it will require permits including compliance with SEPA from Jefferson County DCD. JEF F ER SO N C O U N T Y DEPARTMENT OF COM MUNITY DEVELOPMENT 621 Sheridan Street I Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-379-4454 I email: gballard@co.jefferson.wa.us www.co.jefferson.wa.us/260/CommunityDevelopment MEMO DATE: TO: FROM: July 1, 2026 Interested Parties Greg Ballard, DCD Co istrator & SEPA Responsible Official RE: SEPA Exemption for Conservation Futures acquiring a 41.83 acre parcel (APN 701341004) on Dabob Bay to conserve fish, wildlife, water quality and habitat connectivity of the Dabob Bay Ecosystem. As the SEPA Responsible Official, I have determined that the acquisition of the above referenced parcel with no proposed work is exempt from SEPA per WAC 197-11-800(5) - purchase or sale of real property. It would also be exempt from SEPA per WAC197-11- 800(19)(a) -procedural actions. If restoration activity involving the removal of existing development on this parcel is proposed, it will require permits including compliance with SEPA from Jefferson County DCD. P a g e 1 | 5 http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us Conservation Futures Fund Citizen Oversight Committee (CFFCOC) Special Meeting: Hybrid between Jefferson County Public Health, Pacific Room and Online via Zoom April 21, 2026 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM DRAFT Meeting Summary * Decisions and action items are indicated in bold font. Members Present: Tom Backman – District 3; Carol Bernthal, Vice Chair – District 1; Rob Harbour – Interest, Working Lands; Cheryl Lowe – Interest, Habitat Values (ineligible to vote today); Ron Rempel, Chair – Interest, Wildlife Conservation Biology; Robert Simmons – Interest, Watersheds; Esther Trueblood – Interest, Small Farms and Forests; Dave Wilkinson – District 1 Members Absent: Laurie de Koch – District 3; E. Ryan McMackin – Interest, Wetlands; Joanne Pontrello – District 2 County Staff Present: Michael Dawson, Environmental Health and Water Quality Manager; Tressa Linquist, Clerk Public Present: Peter Bahls, Northwest Watershed Institute I. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Determination of Quorum Chair Ron Rempel called the meeting to order at 2:05 PM. Everyone in attendance introduced themselves. A quorum was present. II. Agenda The agenda was approved, receiving no objection. III. Public Comments An email comment from member of the public Kirie Pedersen, of Brinnon, was read aloud. Pedersen wrote in support of the East Dabob Bay Acquisition project. IV. Minutes of Previous Meetings P a g e 2 | 5 The draft minutes of the March 31, 2026 meeting were approved, receiving no objection. V. Old Business VI. Sub-committee Reports • Storymap Sub-Committee The Storymap Sub-Committee (Rob Harbour, Cheryl Lowe and Tom Backman, with staff assistance) had not met since the last CFFCOC meeting in March. They have paused their work until after the project review cycle is complete. They had no further update. • Materials Sub-Committee The Materials Sub-Committee (Carol Bernthal, Dave Wilkinson, Ron Rempel, with staff assistance) had not met since the last CFFCOC meeting in March and did not have any updates. They will likely meet once before the retreat but do not have a date set. As CFFCOC Chair, Ron Rempel tasked the sub-committee with reviewing eligibility requirements for voting on CFF project recommendations, as this issue has been raised by multiple CFFCOC members. Due to existing restrictions on meeting attendance, three CFFCOC members were not eligible to vote on project recommendations despite having attended the site visit. Should these restrictions be amended to be more flexible? There is a lot of redundancy between the site visit, application content, and presentation meeting. Perhaps an allowance should be made to view the presentation meeting recording after the meeting. • Retreat Planning Subcommittee The Retreat Planning Sub-Committee (Carol, Esther, Rob, with staff assistance) has chosen a retreat facilitator, and moved the date to September. They will be sending out a survey for preferred September dates. A budget proposal for the retreat is being drafted for approval by the County Administrator. VII. New Business • Conflict of Interest Policy Review and Individual Verbal Affirmation CFFCOC Bylaws section 13 regarding conflicts of interest was displayed and reviewed. An Appearance of Fairness statement was read aloud, and everyone present was invited to object to another’s participation. There were no objections. For each project application, three questions related to conflicts of interest (provided by PAO in 2002) were asked aloud to the group, and all members were allowed and encouraged to recuse themselves if a conflict existed. No conflicts were noted. Robert’s Rules of Order procedures for passing motions were briefly reviewed. P a g e 3 | 5 • Project Application Score Review o The highest score possible was 214 points (100%) o East Dabob Bay Acquisition averaged 193 points (76%) o Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link averaged 152 points (60%) o The ODT Eaglemount Link project did not meet the 70% automatic eligibility threshold o The total funding amount requested this cycle exceeds the amount available. ▪ East Dabob Bay Acquisition: Request reduced to $395,000 ▪ Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link: Requesting $43,312.50 ▪ Total amount available $420,000 ▪ Total amount requested $438,312.50 Composite scores were reviewed for each project, and members were given opportunity to change their submitted score, if desired. Some CFFCOC members chose to update their submitted score for one or more questions. These changes did not affect the initial composite score for the East Dabob Bay project, at 76%. The score changes did reduce the ODT Eaglemount Link composite score from 62% to 60% of points possible. However, there was much discussion on the way in which the CFF score sheet questions focus mostly on agriculture and habitat and do not have any questions related to passive recreation projects. Thus, you might expect this type of project to receive a low score despite the majority sense that it is a valuable potential project. A member expressed their strong view that although the RCW 84.34.020 definition of “Open Space” includes “enhance recreation opportunities,” they believe that CFF funds should not be used for recreation projects, even walking trails. They stated concern that funding recreation-oriented projects might invite additional similar projects and take funding away from typical conservation efforts. They requested that the County attorney (PAO) be asked to weigh-in on the appropriateness of the use of CFF funds for the project. The CFF program manual prohibits use of the fund for “active recreation” uses but allows “passive recreation” – what is the difference? Tressa had spoken to PAO about the issue already but had not received a definitive answer. *Tressa will discuss with PAO further and report back to the member. In support of the use, it was noted that the original CFF ordinance, Jefferson County Ordinance 06-0708-02, does state in the “Whereas” section that the fund shall be used for, among other uses, “reserving trail rights-of-way.” The CFF funds are requested to reimburse for easement acquisition only – no funds are requested for trail construction or maintenance. There was a brief break. • Project Priority Ranking Carol Bernthal moved to consider both proposals eligible for funding and open discussion. Rob Harbour seconded. Discussion on ODT Eaglemount followed. Several members argued the project fits the program’s purpose because it would provide significant public benefit P a g e 4 | 5 connecting Port Townsend to the rest of the ODT. Without it, the alternative route would be many miles longer and much less safe. Members noted that previous projects with recreational (Quimper corridor), scenic (Gateway to PT), and cultural (Tamonowas) values had received Conservation Futures funding, even if they were not strictly habitat conservation projects. The conversation continued around whether the project fully met the formal conservation criteria in JCC 3.08.040, and whether funding recreation-oriented projects could shift priorities away from resource protection. It was noted that the committee’s role is advisory and independent from the county commissioners, and that members should vote based on their own judgment . The motion to consider both proposals eligible for funding was put to a vote. Six members voted in favor and one voted in opposition. The motion passed. • Funding Recommendations The meeting shifted to funding allocation details. The CF fund has $420,000 available. The combined request exceeds that amount at $438,312.50. Staff were asked whether additional reserve funds could be made available to make up the ~$18,000 shortfall? How is the reserve determined, and who approves it? *Staff will discuss alternative possibilities with JCPH Finance ahead of the BoCC briefing. NWI has reduced their funding request for the East Dabob Bay project from $420,000 to $395,000 because of increased matching funds from Navy REPI. Considering this, members explored several options: Fully funding East Dabob Bay at the original amount requested ($420,000), funding East Dabob Bay at the reduced amount requested ($395,000) and partially funding ODT Eaglemount Link (to $25,000), splitting the shortfall evenly between the projects (subtracting $9,000 from each), fully funding both projects contingent on access to reserve funds, or recommending alternative funding scenarios if reserve funds are unavailable. Members strongly opposed reducing funds to East Dabob Bay, as it was agreed that this project type is central to the program mission. Dave Wilkinson moved to recommend fully funding the East Dabob Bay Acquisition project at $395,000, and to recommend that any available remaining or reserve funds be granted to the Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link project, up to $43,312.50. Carol Bernthal seconded. Discussion followed on the immediacy of need for each applicant, and on the budget, and to clarify the committee’s message to the BoCC. The motion was put to a vote – all voted in favor. VIII. Discussion of Next Meeting Date and Agenda The next scheduled CFFCOC meeting is Tuesday, October 13 from 3:00-5:00 PM. Officers will be elected and the program materials review process will begin. There will be a vision retreat in September, with date TBD. IX. Announcements P a g e 5 | 5 Members reflected positively on the depth and quality of the discussion, noting it was more substantive than prior years. X. Public Comments Peter Bahls of NWI thanked the committee for its thoughtful deliberation and support of the project. XI. Adjournment Chair Ron Rempel adjourned the meeting at 4:16 PM. Action Items: *Tressa to follow-up with PAO and CFFCOC member regarding appropriateness of use of funds for trail recreation projects. *Staff will discuss alternative funding possibilities with JCPH Finance ahead of the BoCC briefing. • UPDATE 04/29/2026: JCPH Finance has approved a reduction in the fund reserve to 10%. The amount available to fund projects in 2026 is $459,640.24. Sufficient funds are available to fully fund both projects as recommended: $395,000 to East Dabob Bay Acquisition and $43,312.50 to Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link ($438,312.50 total). Meeting summary prepared by Tressa Linquist From: kirie pedersen <kirie.pedersen@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 6:18 PM To: Tami Pokorny <TPokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us> Cc: kirie pedersen <kirie.pedersen@gmail.com> Subject: East Dabob Bay Acquisition Greetings, As a multi-generational resident on Dabob Bay, as well as a long-time supporter of the work done by Northwest Watershed Institute to preserve and protect the forests and shorelines of Dabob Bay, I strongly urge full support of the East Dabob Bay Acquisition on the upcoming agenda. Every piece of land protected and improved by NWI incrementally adds to the protection of this area that some consider habitat of worldwide significance (for just two examples, for Plainfin Midshipmen and Pacific Herring, which in turn support multiple species.) Regarding fishers: I live facing Dabob Bay below a 170 acre forest where I have walked daily since I first learned to walk. Since fishers were introduced, and I was notified by Conservation Northwest, I've been on the lookout for them. A few years ago, I was rewarded when several crossed Pulali Point Road directly in front of me from the Jackson Cove side headed onto the 170 acre forest (Dabob) side. Once I spotted them, I could see that a faint low trail I'd already noticed indicated frequent use. I strongly urge you to approve the full request for the East Dabob Bay Acquisition. Thanks for what you do. With warm regards, Kirie Pedersen 687 Pulali Point Road Brinnon,WA 98320 Page 1 of 2 JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 | Web: www.co.jefferson.wa.us/communitydevelopment Tel: 360.379.4450 | Email: planning@co.jefferson.wa.us TO: Tressa Linquist, Jefferson County Environmental Public Health FROM: Greg Ballard, Development Code Administrator DATE: June 10, 2026 RE: 2026 Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund Applications The Department of Community Development (DCD) has reviewed the parcels involved in the proposed 2026 Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund Applications, and provides the following findings. Project Name1 Project Type 1 East Dabob Bay Acquisition Acquisition of land in fee simple 2 Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link Purchase of easement Summary: Under RCW 84.34.240(3), when a local government uses Conservation Futures funds to acquire an interest in land, it must evaluate whether the acquisition would diminish the supply of developable land needed to accommodate allocated housing and employment growth. Based on our analysis, the proposed 2026 Conservation Futures projects, affecting approximately 44 acres, would not significantly reduce Jefferson County’s capacity to accommodate planned population or employment growth. The County retains sufficient land to meet projected housing and employment needs. Methods: Housing Analysis: DCD estimated the number of potential dwelling units that could be forgone due to the proposed Conservation Futures actions, and assessed any resulting impact on the County’s ability to accommodate 20-year population growth for both the current 2018–2038 Comprehensive Plan and the draft 2025–2045 planning period. Estimates are based on existing zoning, parcel characteristics, and a map-based review of potential site conditions, including site development constraints and critical areas. Employment Growth Analysis: We reviewed whether the proposed conservation actions could affect Jefferson County’s ability to support projected employment growth over the next 20 years. The review included existing employment activity on or near the subject parcels, prevalent employment sectors, and any potential limitations or benefits to economic development resulting from conservation. Findings: 1. Housing. All 2026 Conservation Futures projects are within the Rural Residential zone and are intended for conservation purposes. Extinguishing development rights could remove the opportunity for approximately four theoretical future residential units (SFRs and ADUs). This 1 For additional information, see Attachment 1 2026 Conservation Futures Housing and Employment Analysis Spreadsheet Page 2 of 2 estimate is based primarily on parcel acreage and subdivision potential. No critical areas were identified that would significantly restrict development on these parcels under current zoning. Jefferson County continues to maintain a surplus of vacant and underdeveloped parcels sufficient to meet the land needs associated with projected population growth through 2038. Consistent with previous evaluations, the 2026 conservation projects would not reduce the County’s capacity to accommodate future planned growth. 2. Employment Growth. None of the parcels proposed for protection are located within commercial zones. There is no direct evidence that the loss of the theoretical residential units or rural land would impede employment opportunities such as home businesses or cottage industries. The Conservation Futures projects are not expected to materially reduce the supply of residential parcels that could support such activities. Employment in the project areas is most likely to relate to home businesses, cottage industries, agriculture, or natural resource sectors. Jefferson County’s Comprehensive Plan identifies natural resource conservation as a positive economic asset that supports quality of life, attracts economic investment, and contributes to employment growth. 3. Relevant Comprehensive Plan Policies. The proposed actions are consistent with Comprehensive Plan goals and policies related to open space and natural resource conservation, including: i. Policy LU-P-15.2 Protect open space consistent with the goals and policies of this plan and in cooperation with County Conservation Futures and other land conservation programs. ii. Open Space Goal OS-G-1 guides Jefferson County to “Preserve and improve the quality, value and extent of open space lands.” iii. Open Space Policy OS-P-1.4 “Identify and conserve critical wildlife habitat, including nesting sites, foraging areas, and migration corridors within or adjacent to natural areas, open spaces, and developed urban areas. Preserve especially sensitive habitat sites that support threatened species and wildlife habitat in developed areas.” iv. Natural Resources Goal NR-G-1 guides Jefferson County to “Encourage the conservation and long-term sustainable use of resource lands so their continued future use will not be precluded by other uses; and encourage the long-term sustainability of natural resource-based economic activities through Jefferson County. v. Economic Development Goal ED-G-6 guides Jefferson County to “Encourage economic development that sustains natural resources and open spaces, protects environmental quality, encourages non-motorized recreation and transportation, and enhances Jefferson County’s overall quality of life.” 4. Additional Considerations. None of the proposals include land within an urban growth area or rural commercial area, and the potential reduction in developable land is minimal. 5. Scope of Review. This review evaluates only the potential effect of the 2026 Conservation Futures projects on housing capacity and employment growth. Any statements concerning future development potential or subdivision capacity are contingent on multiple site-specific factors. Attachment 1: CONSERVATION FUTURES HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT ANALYSIS 2026 PROJECT NAME APN Zoning District Project Acreage Potential # of Developa ble parcels Current SFR+ADU Additional Theoretical SFR Yield of Project Acreage ADU Allowance Est. Net New Theoretical D.U./ADU Site Characteristics Housing Employment/Jobs East Dabob Bay Acquisition 701341004 RR-20 41.83 2 0 2 2 4 The East Dabob Bay site is a steeply sloped, mature forested shoreline area within the boundaries of the Washington State Dabob Bay Natural Area. It has recently been used as a family summer camp site, and has accumulated some trailers and other debris that would be removed. No one is living on the land. There is a road that runs NE across the parcel from the SW shoreline that would continue to be maintained, as it provides access to other parcels. There are more than 4 acres of wetlands present as well as a fish- bearing (Type F) stream in the SE corner. The marine shoreline spans approximately 1400 feet. There are no permanent, permitted structures on this parcel. According to the surveyor's note, the parcel is 41.83 acres in size, which allow for the possibility of a two- lot short plat. The subject parcels are bounded by private and state timber lands (PILT) to the east. Natural resources employment sector. Cottage Industry and Home Business allowed. Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link 901193003 RR-5 2.4 1 1 0 1 1 The ODT Eaglemount easement site would run across a 1.7 or 2.4-acre section of the middle of the 9.52-acre parcel. The terrain across the easement area is a mixed conifer forest with native understory, sloping steeply north toward Discovery Bay. Adjacent to the easement is an active, deep-seated rotational landslide zone. There is a homesite on the parcel that is served by a permit-exempt well. No one is living on the land. One primary residence and one ADU are permitted on this parcel outside the easement area. The parcel currently contains a primary residence. No critical areas or associated buffers that would preclude additional residential development. Cottage Industry and Home Business allowed. Summary Totals:44.23 3 1 2 3 5 Page 1 of 1 Always working for a safer and healthier community 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 MEMORANDUM To: Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners From: Conservation Futures Fund Citizens Oversight Committee Date: June 8, 2026 Subject: Conservation Futures Fund 2026 Project Recommendation Summary The Conservation Futures Fund Citizen Oversight Committee (CFFCOC) met on April 21, 2026 to review and score the two project applications submitted for the current funding cycle. Northwest Watershed Institute (NWI) submitted the East Dabob Bay fee title acquisition project and the Jefferson County Environmental Health Department submitted the Eaglemount Link ROW-Olympic Discovery Trail easement project. Both projects will provide significant but very dissimilar benefits to the citizens of Jefferson County. Each project was scored by each CFFCOC member eligible to score a project. The CFFCOC reviewed each project’s: attributes and benefits; aggregate project scores; the project’s eligibility for CF funding; and the project’s alignment with the CF Program. Funding recommendations were then made for consideration by the Board of County Commissioners. Summary of the Two Proposed Projects 1. East Dabob Bay Acquisition (Northwest Watershed Institute) • Location: Eastern shore of Dabob Bay within the DNR Dabob Bay Natural Area • Ownership/Stewardship: The property will be wholly acquired and stewarded by NWI • Size: 42 acres • Total Project Cost: $1,749,000 • CF Fund Request: $395,000 (23%) • Match: REPI (Navy), National Coastal Grant, Private - $1,354,000 (77% match) Why protection is needed and what resources will be protected: The property is currently being used for private recreational opportunities with multiple RVs and associated unpermitted waste disposal facilities, there is an active slide on the property, significant road erosion, and trash on the property. The property includes important Dabob Bay shoreline anadromous fish habitat, and is a private inholding within the Dabob Bay Natural Area. Benefits to Jefferson County: Improved land management, elimination of inappropriate trash and waste dumping, coastline preservation consistent with the County Comprehensive Plan, improved forest Always working for a safer and healthier community Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 management, reduced landslide potential into Dabob Bay and associated shellfish and fish spawning areas. 2. Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link ROW easement (Jefferson County Environmental Health, in partnership with Peninsula Trails Coalition) • Location: Adjacent to SR 20, west of the Eaglemount/SR 20 intersection • Ownership/Stewardship: Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) will transfer ownership of the easement to Jefferson County after initial trail construction is complete. Stewardship and maintenance of the trail would be performed by PTC volunteers. • Size: 2.4 acres • Total Project Cost: $86,225 • CF Funds Requested: $43,312.50 (50%) • Match: $43,312.50, Peninsula Trails Coalition (50% match) Why Protection is needed and what resources are protected: The de facto current connection of the Olympic Discovery Trail is SR 20, which is devoid of shoulders making the route extremely dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. Preserving the project area for a future trail alignment (most of the area will be preserved and managed as conifer forest) will make it possible to utilize a significant portion of an historic and still County-owned ROW. Both will help link the Olympic Discovery Trail at Discovery Bay to the newly completed Four Corners/Anderson Lake portion of the trail. Acquisition of the easement will also prevent further activities on an unstable slide area along SR 20. The trail alignment through the property will provide significant opportunities for pedestrians and bikers and allow them to avoid a very dangerous section of SR 20. Benefits to Jefferson County: The project will preserve the opportunity to link sections of the Olympic Discovery Trail through a very constrained area with difficult terrain thereby eliminating an unsafe travel route for pedestrians and cyclists on SR 20. A future trail through the area would provide recreational opportunities for thousands of County residents. It will also provide for improved forest habitat management. The preservation of the ROW is consistent with and helps implement the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Project Score Review Each eligible member of the CFFCOC scored each project utilizing a series of questions that accompany the application. The maximum possible score for 2026 project applications was 214 points (100%). The committee reviewed the composite scores for both submitted applications: • East Dabob Bay Acquisition: average composite score of 193 points (76%) • Olympic Discover Trail Eaglemount Link ROW: average composite score of 152 points (60%) Always working for a safer and healthier community Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 The CFFCOC Program Manual that guides project scoring establishes 70% of the maximum possible points as the automatic eligibility threshold for funding consideration. The Manual also acknowledges that unique and important projects can be recommended for funding even if they do not meet the 70% threshold, with additional supporting rationale. The East Dabob Bay Acquisition project, with a composite score of 76%, met this threshold. The Eaglemount Link ROW- Olympic Discover Trail project did not. Committee Discussion Regarding Project Criteria Many of the Members of the CFFCOC have recognized for the past several years that the scored questions may be skewed towards certain types of projects and are difficult and confusing to use for some of the wide variety of projects that could be submitted for CF funding. These include projects focused on: cultural/historic properties, viewsheds, passive recreation, and similar types of projects that fit within the Open Space definition for Conservation Future Fund use in RCW 84.34.020 and the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Code (JCC 3.08). The committee engaged in an in-depth discussion regarding the suitability of the current CFF scoring criteria for evaluating passive recreation and trail ROW related projects. Some members observed that the existing score sheet heavily emphasizes agricultural and habitat conservation values and contain few criteria directly applicable to passive recreation and other types of acceptable projects. Members also noted that projects providing significant recreational or public access benefits may receive comparatively low scores despite high public benefit values. The discussion also focused on whether Conservation Futures Funds should be used for projects that could result in significant but passive public use. Some members expressed concern that funding the protection of a trail ROW might be a step towards changing the County CF program’s focus away from traditional resource conservation and habitat protection. The committee further discussed important distinctions between “active recreation” projects (e.g. athletic fields, golf courses, etc.), which are clearly inconsistent with the intentions of RCW 84.34 and the Conservation Futures section of the JCC, and “passive recreation” projects (e.g. trails for walking and non-motorized-travel, areas for birdwatching, traditional food and fiber gathering, etc.). The majority of the committee agreed that passive recreation projects are consistent with the program’s open space conservation purpose. In the motion to recommend the Eaglemount Link ROW-Olympic Discovery Trail project, it was emphasized that this project would permanently protect a ROW (in a very difficult area for safe trail connectivity) but would not help fund trail construction, and would provide significant benefits to a wide range of Jefferson County Residents. It was also noted that a trail in this location would significantly improve the safety and continuity of the Olympic Discovery Trail connection from Discovery Bay to Port Townsend. The motion to make the Eaglemount Link ROW-Olympic Discovery Trail eligible for funding consideration passed, with one member voting against. Always working for a safer and healthier community Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 Eligibility and Ranking Determination The committee reviewed available funding and applicant requests: • Total funding estimated available at the time of CFFCOC recommendation: $420,000 • East Dabob Bay Acquisition request: reduced from $420,000 to $395,000 due to additional matching funds secured from other sources • Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link request: $43,312.50 • Total requested amount: $438,312.50 The committee unanimously voted to recommend funding for both projects, as follows: 1. Fully fund the East Dabob Bay Acquisition project in the amount of $395,000; and 2. Allocate any remaining available funds, including reserve funds if appropriate and available, to the Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link project, up to the requested amount of $43,312.50. Based on current funding information, the total amount of funding available for new project allocation in 2026 is determined to be $459,640.24. Therefore, there are sufficient funds available to fully execute the committee’s recommendation for funding both projects at the full amount ($438,312.50). The CFFCOC requests that the Board of County Commissioners consider both the funding recommendations and the broader policy discussion regarding how passive recreation, trail ROW and other non-traditional but specifically recognized uses for CF Funds are evaluated within the Conservation Futures Fund framework for future funding cycles. Respectfully submitted, Ron Rempel CFFCOC Chair 1 2026 CFF Program Application Please complete the following application in its entirety. Be sure to answer “N/A” for questions that don’t apply to the project. Unless directed otherwise, use as much space as needed to answer each question. Contact program staff at (360) 385-9444 or tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us with questions. Background and Eligibility Information 1. Project Title East Dabob Bay Acquisition 2. Conservation Futures Fund acquisition request amount ($):420,000 Conservation Futures Fund O&M request amount ($): 0 3. Total Conservation Futures Fund request amount ($): 420,000 4. Please indicate the type of interest contemplated in the acquisition process. X Fee-simple acquisition __ Conservation Easement __ Other (Please describe below.) In whose name will the Property title be held after acquisition? Northwest Watershed Institute 5. Applicant Information Name of Applicant or Organization: Northwest Watershed Institute Contact: Peter Bahls Title: Executive Director/Conservation Biologist Address: 3407 Eddy Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 Phone: (360) 821-9566 Email: peter@nwwatershed.org 6. Sponsor Information: (if different than applicant) Same Organization Name: Contact: Title: Address: Phone: . Fax: (_____) _____-________, ext. ____ This application was approved by the sponsor’s legally responsible body (e.g., board, council, etc.) on February 26, 2026 2026 Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund Program Property Acquisition Project and/or Operations and Maintenance Project Application 2 2026 CFF Program Application 7. Project Location Street Address or Description of Location: 930 Dellwood Road, Quilcene, WA Section: 34 Township: 27 North Range: 1 West Govt Lot 2 Driving Directions from Port Townsend: Coyle Road south to Dellwood Road. Enter gate code to proceed on Dellwood Road, take first right into DNR land and continue west to Property. Assessor’s Parcel Number(s): 701-341-004 Please differentiate current and proposed ownership of each APN and indicate if the parcel is to be acquired with CFF funds or used as match. The parcel is to be acquired with CF funds. Please list the assessed values for each Property or APN, as applicable. 701-341-004 = $840,724 8. Existing Conditions New CFF Project Site: Yes X No _______________ Number of Parcels: 1 Addition to Existing CFF Project Site: Yes No X Acres to Be Acquired: 41.83 Total Project Acreage (if different):______________ Current Zoning: 1 per 20 Existing Structures/Facilities: 2 outhouses, various camping trailers and decks (all to be removed) Any current covenants, easements or restrictions on land use: No Current Use: Vacant land Waterfront (name of body of water): Dabob Bay Shoreline (linear feet): 1403 Owner Tidelands/Shorelands: WDFW 9. Current Property Owner X is __is not a willing seller. Project Description 10. In 1,000 words or less, provide a summary description of the project, the match, and why you think preserving this Property is important. Name three top objectives for the Property (other than those related to funding). Include information about the physical characteristics of the site that is proposed for acquisition with Conservation Futures Fund Program funds including: vegetation, topography, surrounding land use, and relationship to parks, trails, and open space. Describe the use planned for the site, any development plans after acquisition (including passive development), characteristics of the site which demonstrate that it is well-suited to the proposed use, and plans for any structures currently on the site. If applicable, describe how the site project relates to a larger conservation program (please identify), and whether the project has a plan, schedule and funding dedicated to its completion. Please also list any important milestones for the project or critical dates, e.g. grant deadlines. List the dates and explain their importance. Please attach a spreadsheet of the budget. 3 2026 CFF Program Application Background, goals, and objectives Since 2002, Northwest Watershed Institute (NWI), Jefferson Land Trust, and over 40 partnering organizations have been working on a landscape scale project to protect and restore the Tarboo- Dabob Bay watershed, with over 4,000 acres conserved to date along Tarboo Creek and within the state’s Dabob Bay Natural Area. The three main objectives of the conservation effort are to: 1) protect and restore the stream and wetland corridor, from the headwaters of Tarboo Creek to Dabob Bay, 2) conserve uplands for sustainable forestry, 3) preserve lands within the Dabob Bay Natural Area. For this project, NWI proposes to acquire and permanently protect a 42-acre undeveloped shoreline parcel within the boundaries of the Dabob Bay Natural Area (the “Olson Property” or “Property”). The Olson Property adjoins DNR Natural Area land to the east. The Property includes steep, forested slopes with some feeder bluffs as well as low bank waterfront and one-quarter mile of shoreline and beach as well as a fish-bearing stream in a steep ravine. NWI is proposing to permanently conserve the Property and prepare a stewardship plan to address forest and shoreline restoration needs. Conservation of the Property is an important part in the larger landscape scale conservation effort to conserve fish, wildlife, water quality and habitat connectivity of the Dabob Bay ecosystem. Proposed uses The Property will be owned and managed by NWI and permanently protected from development and commercial logging under county and federal deed restrictions. The county’s required deed restriction language will be added to the Statutory Warranty Deed (SWD) and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Conservation Covenant and Navy REPI restrictive easement will be recorded on title. Future stewardship and restoration activities, not part of this proposal, will be detailed in the Stewardship Plan and will likely include removal of the bulkhead rocks and shoreline re-vegetation, road maintenance or decommissioning with advice from geotechnical expert, and underplanting native conifers in hardwood dominated stands. NWI plans to provide field trips to school groups and community groups to educate the public about Dabob Bay, with access by boat or road. Critical dates and urgency NWI has secured an agreement with the Olson’s to purchase the Property by June 30, 2026. Since Conservation Futures funding cannot be approved by June, if the seller is not willing to grant a three- month extension, an NWI supporter will provide a short-term loan to NWI to meet the June 30, 2026 closing deadline. Conservation Futures funding is critical to provide the final piece of funding necessary for the NWI purchase. Otherwise the owners intend to sell the Property for residential development. 11. Estimate costs below, including the estimated or appraised value of the propert(ies) or Property right(s) to be acquired, even if Conservation Futures Fund funds will only cover a portion of the total project cost. In the case of projects involving multiple acquisitions, please break out appraisals and estimated acquisition costs by parcel. Estimated or Appraised Value of Propert(ies) to be Acquired: $1,700,000 Total Estimated Acquisition-related Cost (see Conservation Futures Fund Manual for eligible costs): $45,000 4 2026 CFF Program Application Total Operation and Maintenance Cost: $4,000 Total Project Cost: $1,749,000 Budget Basis for Estimates (include information about how the Property value(s) was determined, anticipated acquisition- related costs, general description of operation and maintenance work to be performed, task list with itemized budget, and anticipated schedule for completion of work): Estimate of fair market value is $1,700,000 based on a restricted appraisal report by Chad Johnson, SH&H Appraisal, dated December 31, 2025 (see Supplemental Materials) and confirmed in a full report appraisal to federal USPAP standards completed on March 19, 2026. Federal grants funding also requires that a review appraisal be completed by a second independent appraiser. The review appraisal is being conducted by The Eastman Company and is due for completion in early April 2026. A Navy REPI restricted easement appraisal to value the development rights commissioned by Jefferson Land Trust is due for completion by end of March, 2026. This appraisal requires review and approval by the Navy staff appraiser. For this project, NWI requests that the eligible time period for counting match funding shown above start on October 1, 2025 to include some legal review, appraisal, and project management costs already incurred. *For all O & M requests, complete question #14. Scored Questions JCCF Request Match to JCCF Total Cost Timeline Acquistion Olson Property - Fee Simple 420,000 1,280,000 1,700,000 Oct-26 Acquisition Related Costs: Appraisal 15,000 15,000 Mar-26 Legal review 3,000 3,000 Mar-26 Closing costs 3,000 3,000 Oct-26 O&M Baseline/Stewardship Plan 4,000 4,000 Dec-26 Project management and administration 24,000 24,000 Jan 25 to Dec-26 Total Project Costs 420,000 1,329,000 1,749,000 Percent JCCF match 76% 5 2026 CFF Program Application 1. To what degree does the project leverage contributions for acquisition from groups, agencies or individuals? Sponsors or other organizations are required to contribute to acquisition of the proposed site and/or operation and maintenance activities. 1 a. Please describe below how contributions from groups or agencies will reduce the need to use Conservation Futures Fund program funds. 1 b. Matching Fund Estimate Acquisition O&M % Conservation Futures Funds Requested $420,000 $0 24% Matching Funds/Resources* $1,329,000 $0 76% Total Project Acquisition Cost $1,749,000 $0 100% * If a prior acquisition is being proposed as match, please describe and provide documentation of value, location, date of acquisition and other information that would directly link the match to the Property being considered for acquisition. 1 c. Source of matching Amount of Contribution If not, Contribution If not, funds/resources contribution approved? when? available now? when? National Coastal Grant $629,000 Yes No 2026 Yes No 2026 Navy REPI easement $675,000 Yes No 2026 Yes No 2026 Private donations $25,000 Yes No 2026 Yes No 2026 NOTE: Fifty-percent (50%) matching funds are required, and a higher rating will be assigned to those projects that guarantee additional resources for acquisition. Donation of Property or a Property right can be considered as a matching resource. Donation of services for on-going maintenance or stewardship (“in-kind” labor contributions) are not eligible as a match. 2. To what degree has the project sponsor identified the long-term stewardship issues for the proposed project? 2 a. Identify any factors, threats, or stressors that could negatively affect the project’s conservation values and/or community benefits if the Property is not conserved. If not conserved, the owners plan to sell the Property, allowing development of up to four residences (2 house and 2 ADUs) on two parcels with associated clearing and road building. Potential impacts include: destruction of marine shoreline and forest habitat, landslide impacts to Dabob Bay shorelines, degradation of nearshore habitat due to bulkhead construction, and pollution of Dabob Bay from stormwater runoff, septic, lawn chemicals, pets, and other sources. 2 b. Describe the management strategies that the stewardship plan will include to address these identified factors, threats, or stressors, including any actions planned to make these negative outcomes or impacts less likely. 6 2026 CFF Program Application The Property will be protected in its natural condition with no commercial logging or development permitted. NWI will prepare a stewardship plan to address potential restoration needs, including Property cleanup, invasive species removal, forest thinning, underplanting of conifers in hardwood areas, shoreline riprap removal and re-vegetation, and treatment of existing roads to minimize potential erosion. 2 c. Describe any existing water rights, and current uses of water. Identify any conservation values currently being protected that are dependent on these sources of water. The Property has an existing residential well that is unpermitted. 3. To what degree has the project sponsor demonstrated effective long-term stewardship of a similar project? 3 a. Describe the sponsoring agency’s previous or on-going stewardship experience. Northwest Watershed Institute is a nonprofit conservation organization that provides scientific, technical and on-the-ground support for watershed restoration and has been conducting habitat stewardship and restoration projects in the Tarboo watershed, including the Dabob Bay Natural Area, for over 21 years. NWI employs conservation biologists and professional restoration field crew and has extensive experience stewarding and managing the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve and other properties using professional staff, experienced field crew, contractors, and volunteers. 3 b. Has the project sponsor and/or applicant been involved in other projects previously approved for Conservation Futures Fund funding? _____No, neither the sponsor nor applicant has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures Fund funds. X Yes, the sponsor and/or applicant for this project has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures Fund funds. Please provide details: Yes. NWI has been involved in thirteen previous successful Conservation Futures funded projects in the Tarboo watershed including nine conservation easement projects completed jointly by NWI and JLT and four fee simple projects by NWI. NWI finished both projects funded in 2025: the Upper Yarr Creek Project and the Toandos Forest Acquisition Project (except for second year stewardship activities). 4. To what degree is the project a part of an adopted open space, conservation, or resource preservation program or plan that was open to public review and comment, or identified in a community conservation effort that provided opportunities for public input? The proposed acquisition: X is specifically identified in an adopted open space, conservation, or resource preservation program or plan, or community conservation effort, that provided opportunities for public review and comment. Please describe 7 2026 CFF Program Application below, including this project’s importance to the plan. Please also reference the website of the plan if available or include the plan with this application. __complements an adopted open space or conservation plan that was open to public review, but is not specifically identified. Please describe below, and describe how the proposed acquisition is consistent with the plan. __is a stand-alone project, or part of a project that was not open to public review. The Property is within the approved boundaries of Washington State’s Dabob Bay Natural Area that was established after many public hearings and with extensive public input. The boundary was established to identify the area where DNR and partners want to prioritize acquisition of private lands from willing owners for permanent conservation as part of the Natural Area. The Dabob Bay Natural Area boundary has been expanded three times since 2008 after public hearings, scientific review, and with broad and strong public support. The proposed Property is included in the 2nd expansion in 2016 that resulted from scientific assessment by DNR’s Natural Areas biologists, several public hearings in Jefferson County with extensive opportunity for public input, review and approval by DNR’s Natural Heritage Advisory Council, and approval by the State Commissioner of Public Lands. Jefferson Land Trust’s Jefferson County Conservation Plan (2010), that underwent public participation and review, generally identifies the Property as within a priority habitat conservation area. https://www.saveland.org/wp- content/uploads/2016/06/2010_JLT_ConservationPlan_LoRes.pdf The Property is more specifically included within the priority Dabob Bay area of the Tarboo Creek/Dabob Bay Implementation Strategy, a Sub-Plan of JLT’s Jefferson County Conservation Plan (2010). The Property is a top priority in Northwest Watershed Institute’s Tarboo Watershed Conservation Strategy to protect and restore lands within the recently expanded boundaries of the Dabob Bay Natural Area (Objective 2) http://www.nwwatershed.org/tarboo-watershed-conservation- strategy.html The proposed properties are within a priority terrestrial conservation area identified and mapped in the Willamette Valley- Puget Trough- -Georgia Basin Ecoregional Assessment (2004 Floberg et al). This priority area includes much of the Tarboo and Thorndyke watersheds. The Ecoregional plan, developed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy, is one of the primary conservation plans for Puget Sound and has received extensive public and scientific review. 5. To what degree does the project conserve opportunities which are otherwise lost or threatened? 5 a. The proposed acquisition site X does __does not provide a conservation or preservation opportunity which would otherwise be lost or threatened. 8 2026 CFF Program Application 5 b. If applicable, please carefully describe the nature and immediacy of the threat, and any unique qualities about the site. The proposed acquisition will provide a significant conservation opportunity that will be otherwise by lost in the next year. If Conservation Futures grant funding is not secured, the owners plan to list the Property for sale for residential development, with potentially long term impacts not only on the Property’s forests and wildlife and fish habitat, but on adjacent state-owned tidelands and shellfish beds. The sellers are giving NWI until June 30, 2026 to purchase the Property under a signed purchase agreement (see Supplemental Materials). If sellers are not willing to grant an extension to closing, an NWI supporter will provide a short-term loan to allow NWI to purchase the Property. 6. Are the conservation values of the project commensurate with or greater than the amount of CFF funds requested, and will both the timeframes for meeting project objectives and associated metrics demonstrate achievement of the conservation objectives? 6 a. Summarize the project’s conservation values and how the CFF funds requested support these values. The project’s conservation values are extremely high relative to CFF funds requested because: 1) the Property’s large size, undeveloped forest, wetlands, marine shoreline, and freshwater stream, and vulnerability to development impacts represent high conservation value, and 2) CCF funds are providing only 24% of the full cost of the acquisition. CCF funds will allow the final piece of funding needed to acquire the Property and protect the significant conservation values. 6 b. Summarize how the project’s conservation values are related to the project’s specific objectives. The project’s conservation values include: 1) undeveloped forested slopes and one quarter mile of shoreline that help maintain the high-water quality of Dabob Bay and habitat of the adjoining state- owned tidelands and nearshore, 2) opportunities for outdoor education at Dabob Bay, 3) tribal cultural resources found only in native forest and adjoining tidelands, 4) forest carbon storage, 5) a variety of freshwater, marine and forest habitats supporting landscape scale biodiversity and wildlife connectivity. These conservation values are well served by the project objective to acquire and permanently preserve the Property. 7. To what degree does the project preserve habitat for flora and fauna other than habitat for anadromous fish species? 7 a. X provides habitat for State of Washington Priority Habitat specific to the project and/or State or Federal (NOAA and USFWS) Candidate, Endangered, Threatened or Sensitive species (provide list and references). 7 b. X provides habitat for native flora and fauna. Identify the documented habitat(s) and native flora or fauna species that will be protected by the project. 7 c. X contributes to a wildlife corridor or migration route identified by Washington Connectivity Working Group or other peer-reviewed source. 9 2026 CFF Program Application If affirmative in any of the above, please describe and list the Priority Habitat(s) and Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive species below, and cite or provide documentation of species’ use.1 Peer-reviewed citations/sources are preferred, but others may be considered if they are of substantially equal quality and appropriately attributed. Priority and Listed Species Western toad (near) State Candidate and Federal Species of Concern Pileated woodpecker (on site) State Candidate Fisher (near) State Endangered Observed on-site or within 2 miles by Peter Bahls or Keith Lazelle, NWI Listed Species benefited downstream in Olson Creek Puget Sound steelhead (possible) State Candidate and Federal Threatened Hood Canal coho salmon (possible) Federal Species of Concern Estimated based on habitat assessment by Peter Bahls, Fish Biologist, NWI Listed Species benefited in Tarboo-Dabob Bay Hood Canal summer chum salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened Sources: Juvenile Chinook and Hood Canal summer chum salmon documented in Taboo-Dabob Bay in nearshore fish surveys including: Bahls, 2004. Fish Distribution and Abundance in Shallow Intertidal Habitats of Tarboo and North Dabob Bay at https://www.nwwatershed.org/uploads/pdf/tarbooFishSurvey.pdf Daubenberger. 2014. Mapping Nearshore Nodal Habitat of Juvenile Salmon in Hood Canal at https://psp.nwifc.org/wp- content/uploads/2014/10/Mapping-Nearshore -Nodal-Habitat-of-Juvenile-Salmonids-within-Hood-Canal-and-Eastern-Strait- of-Juan-de-Fuca-2011-12.pdf Wait et al. 2018. Hood Canal Juvenile Chum Salmon Nearshore Habitat Use Assessment at https://wildfishconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/WFC_2018-Hood-Canal-Juvenile-Chum-Salmon-Nearshore- Habitat-Use-Assessment_Report-to-the-US-NAVY.pdf Provides habitat for a variety of native flora and fauna Protection of the parcel will protect a diversity of intact, high quality habitats for native flora and fauna: beach, marine shoreline, freshwater wetlands, stream and riparian, and several forest types. These habitats support a high diversity of fish, bird, amphibian, and mammal species that occur in Pacific Northwest forests, including resident and searun cutthroat trout and other potential salmonids in the stream, ESA listed juvenile Hood Cana summer chum salmon and Puget Sound Chinook in the nearshore on the Property and adjoining state-owned tidelands, western toad, 1 See, for example, https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01742/wdfw01742.pdf https://www.dnr.wa.gov/NHPlists https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_conservation_status.pdf 10 2026 CFF Program Application amphibians, bats, bear, cougar, blacktail deer, and neo-tropical migratory birds of the marine shoreline and forest. Wildlife corridor The Property is a critical piece of the long-term effort to protect a significant wildlife corridor from the headwaters of Tarboo Creek downstream and around Dabob Bay. Specifically, the Property has unique value in adjoining a large tract of DNR Natural Area to the east and state-owned tidelands to the west, providing a protected corridor between the uplands and the bay. Development of the parcel would impact the wildlife corridor through both habitat impacts and potentially significant disturbance from people, dogs and cats from up to four additional residential sites. 8. To what degree does the project protect habitat for anadromous fish species? 8. Describe to what degree the project protects habitat for anadromous fish species (for example: marine shorelines, stream or river corridors including meander zones, and riparian buffers). Please provide documentation and maps that demonstrate the location, quality and extent of the existing buffer and adjoining habitat. The Property extends westward onto the beach at least 50 feet based on a WDFW survey of the adjoining tidelands. The beach portion of the Property and WDFW tidelands are juvenile rearing habitat for ESA listed salmonids, based on nearshore surveys (Bahls 2004, PNPTC 2015, WSC 2019). Olson Creek runs through the south end of the Property into Dabob Bay and provides salmonid habitat as well. Anadromous Fish Species benefited in Olson Creek (NWI estimate): Puget Sound steelhead (possible) State Candidate and Federal Threatened Hood Canal coho salmon (possible) Federal Species of Concern Fall chum salmon (possible) Resident and searun cutthroat trout Western Brook lamprey (likely) Federal Species of Concern Species benefited in Tarboo-Dabob Bay nearshore (documented habitat) Hood Canal summer chum salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened Searun cutthroat trout Sources: Juvenile Chinook and Hood Canal summer chum salmon documented in Taboo-Dabob Bay in nearshore fish surveys including: Bahls, 2004. Fish Distribution and Abundance in Shallow Intertidal Habitats of Tarboo and North Dabob Bay at https://www.nwwatershed.org/uploads/pdf/tarbooFishSurvey.pdf Daubenberger. 2014. Mapping Nearshore Nodal Habitat of Juvenile Salmon in Hood Canal at https://psp.nwifc.org/wp- content/uploads/2014/10/Mapping-Nearshore -Nodal-Habitat-of-Juvenile-Salmonids-within-Hood-Canal-and-Eastern-Strait- of-Juan-de-Fuca-2011-12.pdf Wait et al. 2018. Hood Canal Juvenile Chum Salmon Nearshore Habitat Use Assessment at https://wildfishconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/WFC_2018-Hood-Canal-Juvenile-Chum-Salmon-Nearshore- Habitat-Use-Assessment_Report-to-the-US-NAVY.pdf 11 2026 CFF Program Application 9. To what degree does the project preserve farmland for agricultural use OR preserve forestland for forest management? 9 a. Describe the extent and nature of current and planned agricultural use or forest management activities of the proposed acquisition, including any anticipated changes to that use once the Property, or Property right, is acquired with Conservation Futures funds. The project preserves forestland for management to restore older forest habitats. Although no commercial forestry will be permitted, the stewardship plan will focus on forest management activities such as invasive species removal, possible road decommissioning, planting native species such as underplanting conifer in hardwood stands, and tree thinning (non-commercial) as needed to help restore long-term structural and species diversity to the forest. 9 b. Describe how the acquisition or proposed easement will likely preserve and/or enhance soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat. The parcel is extremely vulnerable to potential logging and development impacts due to the steep slopes along Dabob Bay and a freshwater stream. The proposed acquisition will prevent residential development, clearing, commercial logging, and other activities that could cause landslides, stormwater runoff, wildlife disturbance and habitat destruction, and impairment of watershed functions. The project will permanently protect the site and the stewardship plan will address various restoration needs. 9 c. Does this project preserve a mix of quality farmland and forestland? The Property is extremely important for preserving “farmland”; where the definition includes all forms of agriculture. Shellfish are the largest agricultural export from Jefferson County. The shellfish industry is also the largest employer in south Jefferson County. The proposed Property is critical for long term preservation of the adjoining shellfish tidelands co-managed by the state and Tribes for harvest by the public and four Tribes with reserved treaty rights within the Dabob Bay area. 10. To what degree does this project increase resiliency to and mitigation of climate change, and is the project’s scale significant in regards to increasing climate resiliency? 10. Describe how this project will increase resiliency to and mitigation of climate change. Is the project’s scale significant in regards to increasing climate resiliency? With global heating underway, we can expect continued sea level rise, more severe winter storms with larger rainfall events, and drier hotter summers. The proposed project will increase resilience to such climate change by: 1) preventing logging or development of unstable and steep slopes that would make them even more vulnerable to landslides and damage to water quality and shellfish beds. 2) allowing the shoreline to adjust to the rise in sea level rather than “protecting” it with shoreline armoring that would impact nearshore habitats. 12 2026 CFF Program Application 3) protecting and restoring tree cover shading along the shoreline and stream to help minimize summer stream and nearshore temperatures. 4) increasing species’ flexibility in changing migration patterns and habitat ranges in relation to climate impacts by protecting a large parcel connected to protected state land to the east and the larger Dabob Bay Conservation Area. 5) storing significant amounts of carbon. Forests of the Pacific Northwest are among the best in the world for sequestering and storing carbon. In general, every acre of a 60-year old forest stores roughly the equivalent of 7 years of carbon emissions by the average American. 11. What area does the project serve? 11 a. Describe how the proposed acquisition benefits primarily a __local area X broad county area including the area served, the nature of the benefit, the jurisdictions involved, and the populations served. The proposed project benefits a broad county area because it will help protect Dabob Bay, which has been recognized as a state and national priority for conservation due to its diverse estuarine habitats and valuable shellfish production. The project is also a key part of a larger scale conservation project that extends from the headwaters of Tarboo Creek to the state’s Dabob Bay Natural Area. 11 b. Is the project located in an area that is under-represented by CFF funded Projects? Areas that Conservation Futures has not been able to support to date include, Toandos Peninsula, Dosewallips Valley, Bolton Peninsula, and the West End. Yes, the project is located on the Toandos Peninsula, an area under-represented by CFF funding. Only one prior project has been completed on the Toandos peninsula or at Dabob Bay (Hough property in 2025). 12. To what degree is the applicant committing to providing educational opportunities, interpretive opportunities, and/or serve as a general community resource that does not reduce the conservation value(s) of the project?2 12. Describe the educational or interpretive opportunities that the applicant will provide for public access, educational or interpretive displays (signage, kiosks, etc.) on the proposed site, including any plans to provide those improvements and any plans for public accessibility that will not reduce the conservation value(s) of the project.2 Provide the time frames when each of the above will be implemented. The Property will serve as an important and unique site for educating the public about Dabob Bay. The site is accessible by boat by way of low bank waterfront or walk-in as a stop on NWI field tours. NWI plans to develop a foot trail system to host workshops, tours and other public events to expand understanding Dabob Bay. For example, this site is a potential stop on annual field tours that NWI gives, including field trips for the WSU’s Beach Naturalist and the Jefferson Land Trust Natural History Society. With the rare opportunity for low bank waterfront access, NWI also has the potential to use it as a site for student trips with NWI’s Youth Environmental Stewards Summer 2 The words “education” and “interpretation” are interpreted broadly by the CFF Committee. 13 2026 CFF Program Application Program, partnering organizations such as Port Townsend Maritime Center’s Long Boat program, and Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group’s summer program. As described in the letter from the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, the Property will also serve an important educational purpose as a place for the Tribes to pass on cultural traditions of sustainable gathering of shellfish and forest plants used for food, medicine and ceremonial purposes. 13. To what degree does the project preserve historic or culturally significant resources3? 13. The proposed acquisition __ includes historic or culturally significant resources. __ is registered with the National Register of Historic Places, or an equivalent program. X is recognized locally has having historic or cultural resources. __ is adjacent to and provides a buffer for a historic or cultural site. __ none of the above. If affirmative in any of the above, please describe below, and cite or provide documentation of the historical cultural resources and how CF funds will be used for their preservation. Please see letter from Laura Price, Cultural Resources Director for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, that attests to the importance of this Property for preserving and restoring cultural resources including native forest and the adjacent state tidelands which are managed for shellfish harvest by the Tribes under co-management with the state. The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Lower Elwha S’Klallam Tribe, and Skokomish Tribe are signatories to the Point No Point Treaty and retain the right to hunt and gather within their Usual and Accustomed Area, including the Tarboo watershed. These tribes continue to rely upon a diversity of intact ecosystems in the region as they have for thousands of years, as places where they gather traditional food, medicine, and materials for use in all aspects of their cultural life, including social and religious. If funded, the project will permanently conserve the forest and help protect adjoining shellfish tidelands to allow sustainable harvest and gathering and maintain tribal cultural traditions. All O & M Fund Requests: 14. Applications for Operation and Maintenance funding to be scored on a scale of 1-100 based on information provided. Consider the CFF Manual and the topics below, for example: N/A. Not a stand-alone O&M Fund Request. 3 Cultural resources means archeological and historic sites and artifacts, and traditional religious ceremonial and social uses and activities of affected Indian Tribes and mandatory protections of resources under chapters 27.44 and 27.53 RCW. East Dabob Bay Acquisition 2026 Conservation Futures Fund Application Sponsored by Northwest Watershed Institute April 14, 2026 Below are additional questions received from CFFCOC members regarding the East Dabob Bay project, and NWI’s responses. (1) Have there been any discussions with the JLT to assist NWI with the proposed acquisition? If not, is NWI willing to ask the JLT to partner in the acquisition if the recommended funding level for the project is $380,000? Alternatively, would NWI be willing to obtain a bridge loan for $20,000 of the acquisition amount and seek additional Conservation Futures funds in 2027 to retire the bridge loan? In sum, NWI will try to make do with whatever amount the committee recommends. However, a recommended amount below $395,000 jeopardizes NWI finances and the success of the project and we have already scoured the pot for cost share and partnerships. In my opinion, this is one of NWI’s strongest proposals to Conservation Futures in the 20+ years I have been involved. The diversity of marine, freshwater and upland habitat and overall conservation values are high, the threat of property sale and destruction of sensitive habitats is high, the cost share is excellent, and the certainty of successfully completing the proposed acquisition is high. The reason the certainty of success is high is because: 1) there is signed purchased and sale agreement with an agreed upon price, 2)the appraisal, review appraisal, Navy easement appraisal have been completed and confirm the purchase price and Navy cost share amount, and 3) significant cost share is being provided and that funding is secured. The reviewer asks if NWI is willing to drop our request by $40,000 (from $420,000 to $380,000), presumably to help fund the other project. In general, NWI does not apply for more funding than needed to complete a project and searches diligently to clarify costs and secure as much cost share funding as possible before coming to JCCF with a request. In this case, as I mentioned at the presentation, although not ideal, NWI is able and willing drop our request by $25,000 to $395,000. This is possible due to the anticipated $25,000 increase in Navy cost share funding based on the Navy appraisal completed recently. In addition, as I mentioned, NWI has additional projects costs that that cannot be recouped through grant funding (such as the fee paid to Jefferson Land Trust for facilitating the Navy easement). NWI is not able to offer further reductions in the CF request without jeopardizing NWI’s finances or the successful completion of the project. At the reduced $395,000 funding level, the CF funds would be matched by a total of $1,304,000 in cost share (76% of total cost) provided by NWI through Navy, USFWS, and private donations. Projects come to CF at various stages in development – this one is coming to JCCF after securing significant matching funds and with a fairly precise budget based on appraisal. JCCF grant funding at the $395,000 level is the last funding piece needed to purchase the property. (2) The application includes the mention of Pacific fisher, implying that the acquisition could be habitat and be of benefit for this species. The habitat models and occupancy information for fishers on the Olympic Peninsula are distinctly different from the habitat on the proposed acquisition and the acquisition is not within the identified fisher Core Habitat on the Olympic Peninsula. Based on the information provided in the application, what habitat characteristics does the property have that indicate it could, within the next 100 years, be fisher habitat? Please be specific and relate the response to the primary components and juxtaposition of those components to the results from the Pacific fisher research (data, model and outcomes in the scientific publications regarding the Pacific fisher) from the Olympic National Park, Forest and adjacent private lands. The reported single sighting of a single fisher on the Peninsula was likely a transient individual searching for other fishers and not an indication of occupancy nor suitable habitat. I thank the reviewer for the opportunity to delve more deeply into fisher habitat and recent research! The reviewer is absolutely correct that this property is not ideal fisher habitat nor within the current core area for fisher in Olympic NP and National Forest. Fisher, especially females, prefer low elevation mid to late seral forest and avoid open areas and residential areas. However, research has found that fisher are not as closely linked to older forests as previously assumed, but do select a mosaic of forest types within very large home ranges and travel widely to find new territories. The proposed acquisition property does fall within the “mosaic” of suitable habitat on a landscape scale. On April 8, 2026 I talked with Betsy Howell, wildlife biologist with Olympic National Forest, who has been involved in fisher studies on the Olympic Peninsula for many years. She said that she would be surprised if fisher were not inhabiting the Dabob Bay area. She also said that mature deciduous forest type that occurs on the property is within the range of suitable habitat used by fisher as part of their much larger home ranges that include a mosaic of habitat types. The property is located within the 11,200 acre Dabob Bay Natural Area, which is likely one of the best places outside of the Olympic NP and National Forest that has promising potential for fisher colonization due to 4,000 acres of protected forestland to date and adjacent to thousands of acres of industrial forestland to the east. This forestland around Dabob Bay includes mid and late seral conifer forest groves as well as more recently cut areas that were transferred from DNR timber management to protection as part of the Dabob Bay Natural Area. All of these conifer forests have potential for fisher habitat, especially over the next 100 years with these forests being protected. Fisher distribution is also believed to be tied closely to prey species availability – which, according to some reports, may indicate why fisher not found in some west side Olympic old growth forest but are found in east side Olympic drier, historically burned areas. On the proposed property itself, NWI’s stewardship will likely include underplanting of hardwood areas with conifers, providing better fisher habitat on site over time. Several years ago, naturalist Keith Lazelle observed a fisher at close range chasing a rabbit while walking his dog on Toandos road, about two miles away from the Olson property. While this may only indicate the presence of a transient animal, at least it demonstrates that fisher, which roam widely, have the ability to reach Dabob Bay from Olympic National Forest and potentially re-colonize this area with enough time. A general summary of fisher habitat is in https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/pekania-pennanti#desc-range EXCERPTS- Fishers inhabit coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests. They tend to avoid areas without substantial tree cover (e.g., clear cuts, grasslands, agricultural fields), areas with significant human activity, and developed areas. Home ranges are commonly characterized by a mosaic of forest stand ages in low to mid-elevation forest landscapes, and these mosaics tend to be dominated by forests with mid-sized to large diameter trees. Fishers are consistently associated with forests that provide moderate to high canopy closure and the presence of large woody structures such as cavity trees, snags, and logs. Large trees, large snags, and large logs with cavities are important habitat features and are commonly used as rest sites and den sites… Fishers use uncharacteristically large home ranges for an animal of their size (average sizes are more than 19 square miles in northern portions of its range), with male home ranges typically being twice as large as those of females. The best summary I have found of fisher habitat preferences on the Olympic Peninsula is by the park service biologist who lead the Olympic Peninsula reintroductions in https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378112716300536#:~:text=Where%20their% 20habitat%20associations%20have,et%20al.%2C%202004). EXCERPTS - Collectively, our observations corroborate the growing consensus that fishers are not as closely linked to late-seral forests as once believed (Buskirk and Powell, 1994), but rather select mosaics of multiple stand ages that include relatively high proportions of mid- to late-seral forests (Lofroth et al., 2010; Raley et al., 2012). Males were less selective in choosing core areas than were females, settling in forests with a wider range of tree sizes and age classes than females, including landscapes of younger forests not previously identified as suitable habitat (Lewis and Hayes, 2004). Core areas of females and males on the Olympic Peninsula comprised about 12% and 26% natural forest openings, respectively…The area required to support an individual fisher is large (xˉ = 64 km2 for females), and therefore, the area needed to support a self-sustaining population is much larger and likely to encompass multiple land ownerships… 3) Wildlife corridors are generally defined as places wildlife use to complete their life cycles, maintain genetic flow and/or for demographic recovery. Since the Toandos Peninsula is very permeable for all terrestrial wildlife species occupying the Peninsula, for which species does the property meet the definition of a corridor? While I did not find wildlife corridor studies at a scale that are useful for the Dabob Bay area, wildlife corridors can occur at various scales and for various purposes depending on the species. I would argue that the property is a good addition to a wildlife corridor for cougar, bear and deer, all of which have relatively large home ranges and benefit from access to freshwater sources and the shoreline and movement to and from upland forests not impeded by residential areas and harassment by domestic pets. The property provides the only undisturbed, undeveloped wildlife corridor between the DNR Natural Area upland forestland to the east, and the shoreline of Dabob Bay and freshwater stream on the property to the west; shoreline residential development occurs to the north and south of the property. There is also a known active cougar den less than ½ mile to the south on the slopes of the adjacent Dabob Cove development and its highly likely that cougar traverse and hunt deer on the proposed property on a regular basis. The map of recent cougar observations in the area shown at the oral presentation illustrates this point. (4) The proposed acquisition appears to be depauperate of large snags needed to provide nesting habitat for pileated woodpeckers. If this is the case, what management measures will WRI implement to ensure adequate large snags (primarily large broken top and dead top hard snags) are available to nesting pileated woodpeckers over the next 50 years? When preparing the stewardship plan proposed as part of this project, NWI will consider snag creation of standing mature trees. However, this may not be necessary since large maple and alder on the property are nearing the end of their life time and will provide excellent feeding and nesting snags as they die. Recently dead alder in the area seem to be especially heavily used by pileated woodpecker. NWI does hope to underplant conifer such as cedar to help with long term succession to conifer forest and habitat for wildlife dependent on older forests, such as pileated woodpecker. (5) The 2026 Conservation Futures Application form includes a reference for identifying Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). The SGCN publication explains why pileated woodpecker was removed from the list of SGCN in 2015. It states “General concerns relate only to industrial forest lands. The Pileated Woodpecker is numerically uncommon but regularly occurs in forests elsewhere in the state and even in some urban/suburban areas it appears to be faring well”. NWI’s application in response to question 7 states that pileated woodpecker is a priority or listed species. Why is it listed as such when it is not a WDFW Candidate Species (see https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/wa-state-listed-and-candidate-species-list.pdf) and was removed from the WDfW list of species of greatest conservation concern in 2015 (see https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01742/5_Chapter3.pdf)? Thanks for correcting this oversight. According to WDFW, the pileated woodpecker was removed from the Priority Species list in 2021. See https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/dryocopus- pileatus#conservation Note that NWI did not have it listed as a SGCN or Candidate species. Also, note that NWI’s written application could include at least four additional Priority Species mentioned in the oral presentation: sandlance, eulachon, herring, and surf smelt as well as four Priority Habitats: Puget Sound nearshore habitat, riparian, freshwater wetlands, and Instream. WDFW Priority Species and Habitats list updated in 2023 https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/00165/wdfw00165.pdf (6) The application implies that the CFFCOC should consider the project as benefiting the Pacific toad. What monitoring and management strategies will NWI be implementing for Pacific toad? The project will benefit w. toad by protecting wetlands, stream corridors, and forest habitat, not necessarily by active management measures. The proposal also does not propose to include monitoring and management of individual species. The Stewardship Plan, proposed for completion as part of this project, will include an extensive biological survey of the property and stewardship to guide general protection and minimize disruption to wetlands, stream corridors, and forests to benefit western toads. As part of our response, I also offer the following written responses/clarification to questions asked after the oral presentation: What is NWI doing about potential for hazardous waste on the property? NWI has carefully inspected and inventoried the property and not found anything of concern that can be safely removed. Under the purchase and sale agreement, all items will be removed by the seller prior to closing, or if not removed by seller, the seller will pay NWI to remove them out of their closing payment. Also, prior to closing, NWI will also complete a Phase I Environmental Assessment of the property to comply with the federal National Coastal grant requirements. A Phase I assessment is basically a site inspection and research into historical photos and records. If there are indications of a problem, a Phase II assessment will be conducted, which involves deeper investigation, including potential soil testing. Given that the property is undeveloped, does not have a permanent residence, is behind a locked gate far from main highways, and was used only part time for recreational camping since 1960, the site appears to be at low risk fo hazardous waste. Is Navy funding secured? Yes – the Navy costs share funding is secured at the same level as for similar Navy cost share projects involving JLT and NWI. JLT has assured NWI that this project is on the Navy’s priority funding list for 2026 and the recently completed Navy appraisal confirms the cost share amount. The Navy cost share is never fully “guaranteed” by the Navy until the funding is actually sent to the title company several days before purchase of the property. What are the goals of the conservation in terms of erosion and supply of sediment? The amount and rate of sediment supplied to Dabob Bay needs to stay within thresholds of natural processes to maintain the habitats and ecological quality of the bay. On a landscape scale, too little sediment delivered to the beaches due to rock bulkheads and other shoreline hardening will limit the amount of sand migrating north by longshore drift to maintain the coastal saltmarsh spits at the north end of Dabob Bay. Too much sediment, due to a significant increase in landslide frequency or volume related to forest clearing and roads on unstable slopes, and the excessive sediment can silt the waters, bury intertidal habitat, and migrate north to fill in the north end of the bay. Like the three bears and their porridge, we want just the right amount of sediment moving over time to keep Dabob Bay happy, not too little and not too much! How much is enough may never be known or even knowable, the best we can do is try to avoid human impacts that mess with the natural sediment processes to the bay. The proposed property is especially sensitive to sediment disturbance – both from bulkheading and from landslides related to roads and clearing – so the goal is to protect the property with minimal additional human impacts on sediment processes. With severe winter storms and more winter rainfall expected with climate change, protection of sensitive slopes becomes even more important. Does the proposal include actual restoration measures? No. This proposal is to acquire the 42-acre shoreline property and prepare a plan for long term monitoring and stewardship. The Stewardship Plan will include baseline monitoring, photo points of existing conditions, and potential restoration activities as discussed in the application (such as removal of shoreline bulkhead rock, underplanting conifers in hardwood dominated areas, on-going weed control, and erosion control treatment of the beach access road). Many of these activities could be funded by subsequent grants, such as the state’s Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program. What roads are being considered for decommissioning? Only the beach access road is being considered for decommissioning (for example, by complete removal and restoring hillslope topography, or by partial removal, such as installing water bars and other erosion control features). The main access road that goes through the property and continues south to the adjoining shoreline residence is in good condition and is regularly maintained under a joint road maintenance agreement with the landowner to the south. Three different deed restrictions will protect the property: (1) required county JCCF language inserted in the deed, 2) USFWS conservation covenant, and 3) Navy restrictive easement. How specifically will they protect the property and do you have examples of the USFWS and Navy easements? Both the Navy deed restriction and USFWS Conservation Covenant will prohibit development activities, such as building houses, or subdividing the property. They will also prohibit commercial forestry activities. The deed restriction will allow trails, habitat restoration work, and deer hunting. Please see examples of attached USFWS Conservation Covenant and Navy Restrictive Easement for the West Slope Forest completed in 2025. The easements prohibit development but allow for commercial forestry to restore older forest habitat types but no development. The easements for the proposed Dabob Bay property will not allow commercial forestry or development. The easements are not monitored by the Land Trust but USFWS and Navy, respectively. Please complete the following application in its entirety. Be sure to answer “N/A” for questions that don’t apply to the project. Unless directed otherwise, use as much space as needed to answer each question. Contact program staff at (360) 385-9444 or tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us with questions. Background and Eligibility Information 1. Project Title Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link 2. Conservation Futures Fund acquisition request amount ($): $43,312.50 Conservation Futures Fund O&M request amount ($): $0 3. Total Conservation Futures Fund request amount ($): $ 43,312.50 4. Please indicate the type of interest contemplated in the acquisition process. __ Fee-simple acquisition X Conservation (ODT Trail) Easement __ Other ( Please describe below.) In whose name will the property title be held after acquisition? Jefferson County (easement only) 5. Applicant Information Name of Applicant or Organization: In partnership with Peninsula Trails Coalition Contact: April Bartlett Title: Informal volunteer Address: 1275 State Route 20 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Phone: (479) 595-9050, ext. ____ Fax: (_____) _____-________, ext. ____ Email: 4life.aprilbartlett@gmail.com 6. Sponsor Information: (if different than applicant) Organization Name: Jefferson County Public Health Contact: Tami Pokorny Title: Natural Resources Program Coordinator Address: JCPH 615 Sheridan St., Port Townsend, WA 98368 Phone: ( 360 ) 316 - 9870 , ext. ____ Fax: (_____) _____-________, ext. ____ Email: tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us This application was approved by the sponsor ’s legally responsible body ( e.g., board, council, etc.) on ________________________ , 20___. 7. Project Location Street Address or Description of Location: 1275 State Route 20 Port Townsend, WA 98368 1 2026 CFF Program Application Section: 19 Township: 29 Range: 01 West Driving Directions from Port Townsend: Exit the Haines Place Park and Ride south to W. Sims Way. Turn right (west) to Rte 20 W. Turn right after the U-Haul Moving and Storage to continue on Rte 20 W. Go 6.5 miles. The driveway is the first right after the intersection with Eaglemount Rd. Park on the left as close as possible to the first visible structure. Assessor ’s Parcel Number(s): 901193003 Please differentiate current and proposed ownership of each APN and indicate if the parcel is to be acquired with CFF funds or used as match. The current ownership will be retained during this initial project phase, but the parcel may be acquired and placed into conservation in a subsequent phase. The proposed project is for an easement to provide for a section of the Olympic Discovery Trail and to retain the existing second growth forest. This section of the trail would fill a critical missing link within the City Lake to Fairmount Road section. Without this link, the only viable alternative would be rerouting the trail to the south, adding 12 additional miles between Port Towsend and Discovery Bay. This would greatly increase the time and expense to complete the ODT in Jefferson County. Please also see the attached 2019 Alta Report, Olympic Discovery Trail - Eaglemount - Routes Recommendation . Please list the assessed values for each property or APN, as applicable: Parcel in its entirety is assessed at $358,520. The easement is estimated to be appraised in the neighborhood of $50,000. 8. Existing Conditions New CFF Project Site: Yes No Number of Parcels: 1 Addition to Existing CFF Project Site: Yes No Acres to Be Acquired: 1.7 or 2.4 Total Project Acreage (if different):______________ Current Zoning: R5 Existing Structures/Facilities: Two large and two small structures including a home, utilities, driveway Any current covenants, easements or restrictions on land use: A Geological Hazard Report from Stratum Group (attached) describes a deep-seated rotational landslide zone located outside of the proposed trail corridor and easement area. Current Use: Single family residence Waterfront (name of body of water): Type 3 stream (smaller, fish bearing) flows north to Discovery Bay through the eastern portion of the property, outside of the easement area. Shoreline ( linear feet ): About 350 Owner Tidelands/Shorelands: Dane A. Schoonhover 9. Current Property Owner X is a willing seller. 2 2026 CFF Program Application Project Description 10. In 1,000 words or less, provide a summary description of the project, the match, and why you think preserving this property is important. Name three top objectives for the property (other than those related to funding) . Include information about the physical characteristics of the site that is proposed for acquisition with Conservation Futures Fund Program funds including: vegetation, topography, surrounding land use, and relationship to parks, trails, and open space. Describe the use planned for the site, any development plans after acquisition (including passive development), characteristics of the site which demonstrate that it is well-suited to the proposed use, and plans for any structures currently on the site. If applicable, describe how the site project relates to a larger conservation program (please identify), and whether the project has a plan, schedule and funding dedicated to its completion. Please also list any important milestones for the project or critical dates, e.g. grant deadlines. List the dates and explain their importance. Please attach a spreadsheet of the budget. Jefferson County Public Health seeks funding to acquire a trail easement across the property located at 1275 State Route 20 in Port Townsend. The easement will accommodate the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) and represents Phase I of a strategic effort to close a critical gap in the regional trail corridor. The immediate priority is securing the easement to establish a properly sited, continuous connection between the Eaglemount and Discovery Bay access points. The long-term vision is to acquire the underlying property, remove existing improvements, and permanently protect the parcel as forested open space. No funding is requested from the Conservation Futures Fund for trail construction or restoration activities. The Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) has envisioned a 130-mile multi-use trail designed for non-motorized use that spans the north end of the Olympic Peninsula, connecting Port Townsend to La Push along the Pacific Coast. As of now, about 90 miles of the trail are completed, with the remainder accessible via public roads. The Peninsula Trails Coalition, a volunteer organization that coordinates with the 14 jurisdictions transited by the ODT, has committed up to $43,312.50 in cash as matching funds toward easement acquisition. This contribution demonstrates strong local investment and readiness to proceed immediately upon award. The current landowner has provided time for trail partners to assemble funding for the easement or, preferably, fee-simple purchase but he intends to place the property on the market by the end of 2026. At a minimum, securing the easement while a willing seller is available is critical; failure to do so could significantly delay or permanently disrupt completion of this trail segment. Without this connection, non-motorized users must navigate a hazardous section of SR-20, where narrow, sloped shoulders present substantial safety risks for cyclists and pedestrians. This property represents a pivotal missing link in the ODT alignment. Hazardous conditions for non-motorized travellers along SR-20 prompted Jefferson County Public Works to commission the Alta Planning study to evaluate alternatives. Securing the easement advances development of a safe, separated non-motorized corridor between key regional access points and strengthens emergency preparedness by providing an alternative transportation route. Ecologically, the easement area contains permeable soils, mature second-growth canopy, and intact native understory vegetation that collectively function as a carbon sink and contribute to climate resilience. The layered forest structure—including red alder, mature conifers, large maples, and diverse native shrubs and herbaceous species—supports soil stability, moderates ground temperature, and provides habitat and forage for wildlife. Restricting tree removal within the easement will preserve these ecological functions while accommodating a sensitively designed trail alignment. Strategically located between the Eaglemount and Discovery Bay segments 3 2026 CFF Program Application of the ODT, this parcel serves as an essential connector within a broader recreational and conservation landscape. Protecting it will strengthen regional recreation infrastructure while complementing adjacent conservation efforts and improving habitat continuity. The easement terrain consists of forested land sloping north toward Discovery Bay. The topography can accommodate development of a properly graded, multi-use trail with minimal disturbance. A fish-bearing stream and ravine lie east of the proposed easement area and will not be impacted. The parcel is situated along SR 20 between rural residential areas and larger forested tracts, enhancing its value as both a recreational connector and a habitat linkage. The primary purpose of the easement is to establish permanent public access as part of the Olympic Discovery Trail corridor, consistent with established trail development standards and incorporating recommendations from Stratum Group. The site’s soils, vegetation, and topography make it well suited for low-impact trail development. No existing structures are located within the proposed easement area. This project directly advances public health, climate-friendly transportation, and equitable access to outdoor recreation. By eliminating the need for travel along the SR 20 shoulder, it will significantly improve safety while expanding opportunities for residents and visitors to engage in non-motorized travel. Acquisition of the easement is a time-sensitive and cost-effective step to ensure a viable ODT corridor between Port Townsend and Discovery Bay. 11. Estimate costs below, including the estimated or appraised value of the propert(ies) or property right(s) to be acquired, even if Conservation Futures Fund funds will only cover a portion of the total project cost. In the case of projects involving multiple acquisitions, please break out appraisals and estimated acquisition costs by parcel. Estimated or Appraised Value of Propert(ies) to be Acquired: Total Estimated Acquisition-related Cost ( see Conservation Futures Fund Manual for eligible costs ): $ 43,312.50 for the Trail Easement Total Operation and Maintenance Cost: Unknown at this time. Total Project Cost: estimated at $86,625 for Easement According to the recent tax assessment: Land Valued at $235,814 House $123,764 Basis for Estimates (include information about how the property value(s) was determined, anticipated acquisition-related costs, general description of operation and maintenance work to be performed, task list with itemized budget, and anticipated schedule for completion of work): *For all O & M requests, complete question #14. Scored Questions 4 2026 CFF Program Application 1 . To what degree does the project leverage contributions for acquisition from groups, agencies or individuals? Sponsors or other organizations are required to contribute to acquisition of the proposed site and/or operation and maintenance activities. 1 a. Please describe below how contributions from groups or agencies will reduce the need to use Conservation Futures Fund program funds. Peninsula Trails Coalition will provide the matching funds to acquire the trail easement across the Schoonover property. 1 b. Matching Fund Estimate Acquisition O&M % Conservation Futures Funds Requested $ 43,312.50 ____________ 50 % Matching Funds/Resources* $ 43,312.50 ____________ 50 % Total Project Acquisition Cost $86,625 ____________ 100 % * If a prior acquisition is being proposed as match, please describe and provide documentation of value, location, date of acquisition and other information that would directly link the match to the property being considered for acquisition. 1 c. Source of matching Amount of Contribution If not, Contribution If not, funds/resources contribution approved? when? available now? when? Peninsula Trails Coalition $ 43,312.50 Yes No _________ Yes No ______________________ $_________ Yes No _________ Yes No ______________________ $_________ Yes No _________ Yes No ______________________ $_________ Yes No _________ Yes No NOTE: Fifty-percent (50%) matching funds are required, and a higher rating will be assigned to those projects that guarantee additional resources for acquisition. Donation of property or a property right can be considered as a matching resource. Donation of services for on-going maintenance or stewardship (“in-kind” labor contributions) are not eligible as a match. Estimated Budget Easement $50,000 Appraisal $10,000 Environmental Assessment $5,000 Closing/taxes/recording $2,500 Survey $10,000 Legal $5,000 Project management (5%) $4125 TOTAL PROJECT COST $86,625 5 2026 CFF Program Application 2. To what degree has the project sponsor identified the long-term stewardship issues for the proposed project? 2 a. Identify any factors, threats, or stressors that could negatively affect the project’s conservation values and/or community benefits if the property is not conserved. The proposed easement will occupy a north-facing slope consisting of permeable soils and maturing forest of native hardwood and conifer species. Adjacent to the easement is an active deep-seated rotational landslide zone described in the accompanying geologic hazard report. The loss of a rare opportunity to place the ODT in this location is the greatest threat to its conservation value of public benefit. Excessive removal of mature trees from the easement area is also a threat. If the land were sold, any new landowner may be less amenable to constructing the Olympic Discovery Trail in this location. “Trails contribute more than 8.2 billion to Washington’s economy annually. Supports more than 81,000 jobs every year, physical activities associated with trail use result in more than 39 million of health savings annually. And, trials potentially provide 5.9 billion and environmental benefits each year.” ( https://rco.wa.gov Article Economy, Environment, and Health Benefits From Trails, Two New Studies) 2 b. Describe the management strategies that the stewardship plan will include to address these identified factors, threats, or stressors, including any actions planned to make these negative outcomes or impacts less likely. Jefferson County will continue and expand its partnership with the Peninsula Trails Coalition and its volunteers and contractors to establish the easement and, later, to construct and maintain the trail on the subject parcel. The Coalition is actively seeking a suitable partner and funding to acquire the property fee-simple, remove all improvements and to improve the forests and help stabilize, where feasible, unstable slopes. 2 c . Describe any existing water rights, and current uses of water. Identify any conservation values currently being protected that are dependent on these sources of water. The nearby homesite is served by a permit-exempt well. There are no known water rights associated with the easement area or larger property. No water use is envisioned as part of the trail easement project. 3. To what degree has the project sponsor demonstrated effective long-term stewardship of a similar project? 3 a. Describe the sponsoring agency’s previous or on-going stewardship experience. Through its Public Works Department, Jefferson County established and stewards XX miles of multi-use trails for public use and enjoyment, including portions of the ODT as well as the Larry Scott Memorial and Rick Tollefson trails. 3 b. Has the project sponsor and/or applicant been involved in other projects previously approved for Conservation Futures Fund funding? _____No, neither the sponsor nor applicant has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures Fund funds. X Yes, the sponsor and/or applicant for this project has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures Fund funds. Please provide details: Jefferson County has also sponsored CFF-funded acquisitions in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor and next to Irondale Park. A project to acquire a number of recreational floodplain parcels along the Dosewallips River was unsuccessful. 6 2026 CFF Program Application 4. To what degree is the project a part of an adopted open space, conservation, or resource preservation program or plan that was open to public review and comment, or identified in a community conservation effort that provided opportunities for public input? The proposed acquisition: __is specifically identified in an adopted open space, conservation, or resource preservation program or plan, or community conservation effort, that provided opportunities for public review and comment. Please describe below, including this project’s importance to the plan. Please also reference the website of the plan if available or include the plan with this application. X complements an adopted open space or conservation plan that was open to public review, but is not specifically identified. Please describe below, and describe how the proposed acquisition is consistent with the plan. Public justification for the ODT centers on creating a paved, safe, and accessible non-motorized pathway for pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians. Key goals include fostering economic development through tourism, enhancing public health, connecting communities, and promoting environmental education while preserving the natural beauty of the Olympic Peninsula. Jefferson County government has heavily endorsed the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) through direct management of existing trail sections, funding for new construction, and long-term infrastructure planning. The county's support focuses, in part, on connecting the Larry Scott Memorial Trail in Port Townsend toward Discovery Bay. Commissioners have supported the ODT by adding feasibility studies and, specifically, the Four Corners to Discovery Bay section to their six-year Transportation Improvement Plan. __is a stand-alone project, or part of a project that was not open to public review. 5. To what degree does the project conserve opportunities which are otherwise lost or threatened? 5 a. The proposed acquisition site X does __does not provide a conservation or preservation opportunity which would otherwise be lost or threatened. 5 b. If applicable, please carefully describe the nature and immediacy of the threat, and any unique qualities about the site. The primary and immediate threat is the looming sale of the property. If the trail easement is not secured while there is a willing seller, the opportunity to establish a viable trail connection between the Eaglemount and Discovery Bay segments of the ODT could be lost or significantly delayed. A change in ownership could eliminate access entirely, forcing trail users to continue along a hazardous stretch of SR-20. 6. Are the conservation values of the project commensurate with or greater than the amount of CFF funds requested, and will both the timeframes for meeting project objectives and associated metrics demonstrate achievement of the conservation objectives? The conservation values of the project greatly exceed the amount of funding requested because the subject easement represents the difference between a viable trail corridor between Four Corners (that is Port Townsend) and Discovery Bay (including all points west of there). A “through trail” has significant value in allowing residents and visitors to explore a continuous route across the Olympic Peninsula to/from the only city in Jefferson County. Peninsula Trails Coalition volunteers and partners are actively addressing questions and challenges in pursuit of a timely acquisition of the easement. 7 2026 CFF Program Application 6 a. Summarize the project’s conservation values and how the CFF funds requested support these values. The 1275 State Route 20 property contains significant conservation values that align with regional priorities in Jefferson County and the Olympic Peninsula. The parcel’s mature forested ecosystems contribute to biodiversity, watershed health, and climate resilience through carbon storage, soil stability, and hydrological function. These values reflect broader conservation strategies identified by local partners such as Jefferson Land Trust, which has protected thousands of acres of forests, working lands, waterways, and wildlife habitat in the county as part of its long-term conservation vision. The Trust’s recent Land Resilience Study emphasizes the importance of maintaining intact forests and connectivity to sustain biodiversity under climate change pressures, including prioritizing areas for aquifer recharge and habitat resilience. The presence of a fish-bearing stream and riparian vegetation on the site further elevates its ecological importance. Riparian areas in Washington are recognized as priority habitat because they support diverse wildlife, regulate water temperatures, and provide corridors for movement across the landscape. While not all riparian streams in the region are currently protected, those with fish presence or connected stream networks are critical for salmonid and other aquatic species survival, and they benefit from forested buffers that CFF-supported conservation can help secure. CFF funds requested would directly enable acquisition of the trail easement and eventual placement into conservation, ensuring these ecological values are protected from development or fragmentation at a time when willing ownership presents a narrow window of opportunity. 6 b. Summarize how the project’s conservation values are related to the project’s specific objectives. The conservation values of this project tie directly to its stated objectives in several ways: Safe Trail Connectivity: The primary objective of securing the trail easement is not only a recreation goal but also a conservation one. Integrating the property into the Olympic Discovery Trail pathway preserves continuous forest cover and riparian corridors along a publicly accessible natural landscape. Connecting parcels of protected habitat reduces edge effects that degrade ecological integrity and supports species movement; a priority reflected in regional conservation plans like the Quimper Wildlife Corridor initiative, which promotes protecting connected greenspace and corridors near Port Townsend. Protect Ecological Function: Direct conservation of mature forest cover and streamside buffer serves broader regional conservation outcomes by maintaining carbon storage, moderating microclimates, improving water quality, and sustaining wildlife habitat. Given Jefferson Land Trust’s focus on protecting forests and watersheds across the county, this property contributes to sustaining larger landscape patterns of ecological health and resilience. Integration into Regional Conservation Framework: Placing this parcel into conservation supports existing work by local land trusts, state agencies, and community partners aimed at habitat protection, forest retention, and recreational corridor development. Recent milestones in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor, Chimacum Creek watershed protection, and other local easement efforts underscore the community’s ongoing commitment to stewarding ecological systems for public benefit. In summary, the conservation values of this site are intact forest ecosystems, riparian habitat, and connectivity to regional green infrastructure which are commensurate with the requested CFF investment. Protecting these values through acquisition and conservation aligns with documented local conservation priorities and supports measurable outcomes related to habitat protection, public access, and climate resilience. 8 2026 CFF Program Application 7. To what degree does the project preserve habitat for flora and fauna other than habitat for anadromous fish species? No assessment completed at this time to “prove” the following. Photos of land and life are included. 7 a.__x__ provides habitat for State of Washington Priority Habitat specific to the project and/or State or Federal (NOAA and USFWS) Candidate, Endangered, Threatened or Sensitive species (provide list and references). 7 b._x___ provides habitat for native flora and fauna. Identify the documented habitat(s) and native flora or fauna species that will be protected by the project. 7 c.__x__ contributes to a wildlife corridor or migration route identified by Washington Connectivity Working Group or other peer-reviewed source. . If affirmative in any of the above, please describe and list the Priority Habitat(s) and Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive species below, and cite or provide documentation of species’ use. 1 P eer-reviewed citations/sources are preferred, but others may be considered if they are of substantially equal quality and appropriately attributed. The project area provides habitat consistent with Washington State Priority Habitats and contributes to regional wildlife connectivity. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) program, priority habitats include riparian corridors, mature and old-growth forest stands, and habitats supporting sensitive wildlife species. The subject parcel contains mature mixed conifer–deciduous forest and a fish-bearing stream with associated riparian vegetation. Riparian and mature forest habitats are recognized as Priority Habitats due to their importance for biodiversity, wildlife movement, and ecosystem function (WDFW Priority Habitats and Species Program). The property’s forest structure and riparian conditions support species associated with Priority Habitats and sensitive ecological systems that can further be documented with trail cams and an assessment in the near future. The parcel contributes to an emerging wildlife corridor landscape near the Quimper Peninsula, complementing conservation efforts supported by regional partners including Jefferson Land Trust. Regional planning documents and Washington Connectivity Working Group mapping identify the importance of maintaining intact forest patches and riparian systems in Jefferson County to support species movement under climate change pressures. The property’s location between forested uplands and riparian habitat strengthens this connectivity function. The forest provides: ● Nesting habitat for forest songbirds ● Forage and cover for small mammals ● Pollinator forage (native bees, butterflies, and other invertebrates) 1 See, for example, https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01742/wdfw01742.pdf https://www.dnr.wa.gov/NHPlists https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_nh_conservation_status.pdf 9 2026 CFF Program Application ● Roosting and foraging habitat for bats ● Structural canopy habitat for raptors Pollinators are increasingly recognized as conservation priorities in Washington State due to documented declines in native bee populations (Washington State Department of Agriculture Pollinator Health Strategy). Intact forest edges and native flowering understory plants such as salmonberry, serviceberry, and pearly everlasting provide seasonal nectar sources critical to pollinator species. The combination of mature canopy, layered understory, and riparian interface demonstrates that the property supports functional native habitat beyond anadromous fish values. Protection of this site would prevent fragmentation, preserve structural forest complexity, and maintain habitat continuity for avian species, mammals, bats, and pollinators. 8. To what degree does the project protect habitat for anadromous fish species? 8. Describe to what degree the project protects habitat for anadromous fish species (for example: marine shorelines, stream or river corridors including meander zones, and riparian buffers). Please provide documentation and maps that demonstrate the location, quality and extent of the existing buffer and adjoining habitat. There’s a fish baring stream along the eastern side of the property that connects to the bay. (See maps provided) Forested riparian corridors are designated as Priority Habitat under Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) guidelines due to their importance for anadromous fish species, including salmonids utilizing nearshore and estuarine systems connected to Discovery Bay. Maintaining the intact buffer prevents fragmentation, limits future encroachment, and preserves the ecological integrity of the stream-to-bay corridor. Maps provided illustrate the stream alignment, vegetated buffer width, and its direct connection to downstream marine waters, demonstrating the location, quality, and extent of the habitat being protected. 9. To what degree does the project preserve farmland for agricultural use OR preserve forestland for forest management? 9 a. Describe the extent and nature of current and planned agricultural use or forest management activities of the proposed acquisition, including any anticipated changes to that use once the property, or property right, is acquired with Conservation Futures funds. NA 9 b. Describe how the acquisition or proposed easement will likely preserve and/or enhance soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat. As stated above, the stabilization of the land depends on the forest remaining intact which enhances the soil health, preserves the water quality, and hydrological cycles. 9 c. Does this project preserve a mix of quality farmland and forestland? No 10 2026 CFF Program Application 10. To what degree does this project increase resiliency to and mitigation of climate change , and is the project’s scale significant in regards to increasing climate resiliency ? 10. Describe how this project will increase resiliency to and mitigation of climate change. Is the project’s scale significant in regards to increasing climate resiliency? The trail systems have contributed to and conservation of natural landscapes for over a century. As you likely know, forested land plays a critical role in climate resilience by supporting healthy hydrological cycles. Through evapotranspiration, trees release water vapor from their leaves into the atmosphere, contributing to cloud formation. Increased cloud cover helps regulate temperature and ultimately returns moisture to the land in the form of rain, sustaining regional water systems. These 9.5 acres of mature trees are especially valuable. While forests begin providing benefits early in their growth, trees that reach 60–80 years of age develop deeper root systems, larger canopies, and more complex ecological relationships. These mature systems enhance groundwater recharge, stabilize soils, moderate temperatures, and increase overall ecosystem resilience. Intact forest structure also improves fire resistance by maintaining canopy cover, soil moisture, and biodiversity balance. Preserving mature forest stands therefore strengthens aquifer health, supports wildlife habitat, improves ground cover and erosion control, and contributes to long-term climate stability. Protecting these systems is significantly more effective than attempting to recreate them after removal, given the decades required for forests to reach ecological maturity . 11. What area does the project serve? 11 a. Describe how the proposed acquisition benefits primarily a __local area x__broad county area including the area served, the nature of the benefit, the jurisdictions involved, and the populations served . As an essential component of the ODT trail system, the proposed acquisition would benefit Jefferson County, the region and beyond, providing an ecological and health-savvy route from Sequim to Port Townsend. Tourists and community members alike will have the pleasure of this beautiful passage. 11 b . Is the project located in an area that is under-represented by CFF funded Projects? Areas that Conservation Futures has not been able to support to date include, Toandos Peninsula, Dosewallips Valley, Bolton Peninsula, and the West End. N/A 12. To what degree is the applicant committing to providing educational opportunities, interpretive opportunities, and/or serve as a general community resource that does not reduce the conservation value(s) of the project? 2 12. Describe the educational or interpretive opportunities that the applicant will provide for public access, educational or interpretive displays (signage, kiosks, etc.) on the proposed site, including any plans to provide those improvements and any plans for public accessibility that will not reduce the conservation value(s) of the project. 2 Provide the time frames when each of the above will be implemented. The Peninsula Trails Coalition is known for their informative conservation-based work parties. They also place signage along the trails to educate people on native species, natural features and restoration efforts. Interpretive displays are planned for the impressive Hall Baetz Pavillion at the intersection of US-101 and Woodman - Fairmount Road (Old State Route 9) to the west of the subject property. The ODT is promoted on numerous 2 The words “education” and “interpretation” are interpreted broadly by the CFF Committee. 11 2026 CFF Program Application websites (https://olympicdiscoverytrail.org), in printed maps and through outdoor and bicycle shops and organizations. 13. To what degree does the project preserve historic or culturally significant resources 3 ? 13. The proposed acquisition __ includes historic or culturally significant resources. __ is registered with the National Register of Historic Places, or an equivalent program. __ is recognized locally as having historic or cultural resources. __ is adjacent to and provides a buffer for a historic or cultural site. X none of the above. If affirmative in any of the above, please describe below, and cite or provide documentation of the historical cultural resources and how CF funds will be used for their preservation. All O & M Fund Requests: 14. Applications for Operation and Maintenance funding to be scored on a scale of 1-100 based on information provided. Consider the CFF Manual and the topics below, for example: 14. Describe the reason O & M funds are needed, proposed O & M activities, and how additional O&M funds will protect the conservation values and opportunities cited in this or a previous project application. Attach additional information such as Stewardship Plans, maps, field reports, work plans, budgets, timelines, etc., to support the application, if appropriate. Standalone O & M projects must address a compelling, immediate need or threat to an approved CFF project. Describe any previously unforeseen or urgent threats to the resource conservation values of the site and how the proposed O & M activities will mitigate those threats and/or prevent potential future threats. A current Stewardship Plan must be attached. We are not requesting O & M at this time. Verification 15. Sponsor commitments: Sponsors of projects that are approved for funding by the Board of County Commissioners are required to submit an annual report by December 31 every year for three years after the award is approved, or three years after the acquisition funds are disbursed to the applicant, whichever is later. The annual report shall address any changes in the project focus or purpose, progress in obtaining matching funding, and stewardship, operations, and maintenance activities. Sponsors receiving O & M funds are required to submit an annual report for each year that O&M funds are expended. 15 a. If this project is approved for funding, I understand the sponsor is required to submit annual reports for three years and for any subsequent year in which O & M funds are expended. ____________Initials____________Date 3 Cultural resources means archeological and historic sites and artifacts, and traditional religious ceremonial and social uses and activities of affected Indian Tribes and mandatory protections of resources under chapters 27.44 and 27.53 RCW . 12 2026 CFF Program Application If, three years after the date funding is approved by the Board of County Commissioners, the project sponsor has not obtained the required matching funds to implement the project, the CFFCOC may request the Board of County Commissioners to nullify their approval of funds, and may require the project to re-apply. 15 b. If this project is approved for funding, I understand that the sponsor, may be required to re-submit the application if necessary matching funding is not secured within three years._______Initials_______Date 15 c. The sponsor has reviewed all project requirements, and I certify that all of the information in the application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. _________Initials_______Date 15 d. I understand that the sponsor commits to providing long-term stewardship to achieve the conservation and protection goals of the project as proposed in this application. _________Initials_______Date 13 2026 CFF Program Application Olympic Discovery Trail Eaglemount Link 2026 Conservation Futures Fund Application Sponsored by Jefferson County April 7, 2026 Below are additional questions received from CFFCOC members regarding the ODT Eaglemount Link project. Please provide responses no later than April 14, 2026. 1. If the project could only be partially funded, are there other resources that could be tapped to allow it to move forward? What is the absolute minimum funding you need from the Conservation Futures Fund to allow the project to be completed? The Eaglemount Link Project requested the minimum amount necessary to accomplish the project which only required 10% of the available funding. The Eaglemount Link Project has $43,513 (50% of project cost) of PTC funding put up as match. This shows a deep commitment by PTC to fund the Eaglemount Link project and PTC is also committed to the additional trail construction cost in a subsequent project phase. The Eaglemount Link project requested a relatively small amount of CFF funding. 2. The application references the Alta Report (2019) options for positioning the Olympic Discovery Trail in the "south segment" between Eaglemount and Discovery Bay. Please clarify if this proposal is premised on implementation of South Segment Option A, which will also require a "side path" along SH20 for a segment, including a potential bridge across "Mine Gulch." Has there been any discussion with WSDOT and are they amenable to this? The funding proposal before the CFF committee requires no side path in WSDOT right of way and therefore no permission from WSDOT is needed to construct this portion of the South Segment. This portion of this segment also does not require a bridge of any type. This project alignment eliminates the need for a bridge crossing of Mine Creek/Gulch as that crossing will be made utilizing the SR20 fill. Continuation of this route up to Eaglemount Road will require a separate path within WSDOT right of way. WSDOT is aware of the Alta route study and provided no negative comments to the report. WSDOT purchases right of way using public funding for public transportation purposes and by definition those purposes include bicycle and pedestrian transportation. WSDOT cannot legally deny a public agency request for use of its excess right of way as long as that request does not compromise the WSDOT facility or roadway. 2b. In the event WSDOT does not support a side path, how would the ODT traverse this section? WSDOT will support a route that utilizes its excess right of way as long as it can be shown in an engineering study/plan that a path can be constructed without compromising the integrity of SR 20. WSDOT has already demonstrated a willingness to commit to a location of this type of trail within its right of way on the opposite side of Discovery Bay where Jefferson County utilized approximately one- half mile of WSDOT US 101 right of way for the location of the Olympic Discovery Trail. This section of WSDOT approved right of way use by the trail included approval of a shoring wall system which is one of the solutions that could be used to complete the remainder of the trail east of this project location. 3. Can you please provide more detail on how the conservation easement value of $60,000 was derived? If the project was to be awarded less funding, would the project still be able to move forward, is it feasible for ODT to make up the difference or would they solicit additional funding? PTC has already met with the property owner and discussed the possibility of acquisition of an easement through the property for the trail. He indicated that he was willing to accept the Assessors land valuation as a reasonable value for the undeveloped portion of his property. His property is 9.5 acres in size and assessed at $235,000 for the value of the land ($24,633/acre). This easement requires 2.4 acres, which at $24,633 per acre equals a valuation of $59,119 for the easement with its timber required to be considered as part of the easement. 4. Would the County and/or its partner in this application be willing to obtain a bridge loan for $20,000 of the acquisition amount and seek additional Conservation Futures funds in 2027 to retire the bridge loan? PTC is open to partnering with Health or Public Works to request additional CFF funding in future years. If it’s necessary to fill a funding gap this year, the County would not seek a bridge loan. PTC would also not pursue a bridge loan and instead would need to find other funding with the intention of seeking reimbursement next year from the CFF. 5. Which Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan goals and objectives would the Project help accomplish? The Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan and the Non-motorized Transportation and Recreational Trails Plan have many goals supporting development of the Larry Scott/Olympic Discovery Trail and development of non-motorized trails for enhanced public safety and health benefits. The plan also supports connection of its smaller community centers with non-motorized trails. Comprehensive Plan policies are listed below: NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION GOAL TRG 3.0 Provide safe, accessible and convenient routes, trails, parking facilities, trail heads, and other amenities that promote the use of non-motorized travel in a manner that is integrated with other forms of transportation. POLICIES TRP 3.1 Using established standards and in accordance with the Non-motorized Transportation and Recreational Trails Plan, provide facilities for safe bicycle and pedestrian travel. TRP 3.2 Encourage development of a non-motorized transportation network between all major activity centers in Jefferson County in accordance with the Non-motorized Transportation and Recreational Trails Plan. TRP 3.3 Promote the development of new trails and linkages between trails in accordance with the Non-motorized Transportation and Recreational Trails Plan and in coordination with Federal, State, and regional agencies, utilities, and citizen groups TRP 3.4 Promote development of an integrated trail system in the County in accordance with the Non- motorized Transportation and Recreational Trails Plan by seeking opportunities to provide links between existing trails during planning for improvements to the County transportation system and in review of land development proposals. TRP 3.5 Promote coordinated bicycle, equestrian, and pedestrian way improvements in accordance with the Non-motorized Transportation and Recreational Trails Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan emphasizing access to schools, parks, employment and service centers, and mass transit facilities (ferry, bus, etc.). TRP 3.6 Require that roadway improvements and new subdivisions within the defined school pedestrian walking zone meet established standards intended to ensure the safety of pedestrians. TRP 3.7 Support educational opportunities for children and adults that will encourage safe use of roadways, trails, and sidewalks for all transportation modes. TRP 3.8 Promote safe, convenient, and protected bicycle parking at activity centers such as schools, parks, commercial centers, employment and service centers, and mass transit facilities (ferry, bus, etc.) in accordance with the Nonmotorized Transportation and Recreational Trails Plan. TRP 3.9 In coordination with the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan and the Nonmotorized Transportation and Recreation Trails Plan, provide signage for onstreet segments of bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian routes in accordance with the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). TRP 3.10 Promote development of adequate pedestrian walkways and crossings, where appropriate, including facilities separated from the roadway, in accordance with the Non-motorized Transportation and Recreational Trails Plan. Evaluate safety issues associated with pedestrian and bicycle travel near school sites and identify potential improvements. 6. Would the acquisition of this property be a high priority for County acquisition using non-conservation futures funds if the County’s budget was less constrained? The County has indicated that its first priority with limited trail funding and limited engineering staff is to complete the trail segment between Broders Road and Old Gardiner Road on the west side of Discovery Bay. Erik Kuzma, Public Works Director, agrees that a trail easement on the Schoonhover property is also needed and that it’s important to take advantage of acquisition opportunities when they arise. He is not promising any particular timeline with respect to constructing or supporting the construction of the trail itself. The County needs assistance from PTC if it is to make progress in the next ten years on completing the two trail segments left to complete the route between Discovery Bay and Anderson Lake State Park. PTC is well positioned to offer this assistance as it will involve complicated negotiations with WSDOT and DNR for easements, route surveys and some contract engineering designs. PTC will seek additional grants to accomplish these tasks.