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Home My WebLink About070218_ra03 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners _ — FROM: -- • Philip Morley, County Administr r" DATE: July 2, 2018 RE: Discussion and Potential Action re Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Grant Application for Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) Funding. STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Board of Commissioners will discuss the Washington State Department of Natural Resources' (DNR's) grant application for Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) funding to acquire private and public properties in the Dabob Bay Natural Area, and may take action to send a letter stating a County position about DNR's grant proposal. ANALYSIS: DNR's John Gamon of the Natural Heritage Conservation section of DNR will participate by phone. Jefferson County Assessor Jeff Chapman has been invited to participate as well. A recent email from Mr. Gamon and back up material he included that explain the grant proposal are attached to this agenda request memo. County staff may provide additional material at the meeting. FISCAL IMPACT: None from the discussion, although public acquisition of private properties would have impacts on assessed valuations subject to property tax. RECOMMENDATION: Discuss DNR's application and request, and consider taking further action to articulate a County position by preparing and submitting a letter. REVIEWED BY: / lip Morle; o'unty Admini .tor Date Philip Morley From: GAMON,JOHN (DNR) <JOHN.GAMON@dnr.wa.gov> Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2018 9:18 AM To: Philip Morley Cc: Kathleen Kler;Julie Shannon Subject: RE: DNR Dabob Bay WWRP Grant - letter of support Attachments: DNR Notice of Intent to Pursue Grant for Dabob Acquisitions Mr. Morley- I apologize for the confusion regarding the communication about our 2018 WWRP proposal. I've attached an email about the 2018 WWRP grant proposal that I sent on April 30th addressed to the county commissioners. The attachment to that email is a notification letter that includes a basic description of the acquisition proposal. It also includes a table identifying the various parcels that we've identified as priorities for acquisition in the grant proposal, along with a map showing where those parcels are located. If for some reason you can't open the attachment, let me know. Also, let me know if you'd like a more complete description of the grant proposal. Please note that we have since made one change to the list of priority parcels. We have removed parcel D (see the table and map in the attachment), which is a State Forest Board parcel most of which was relatively recently harvested. The WWRP grant proposal is for land acquisition, and assuming the Legislature appropriates funding for WWRP in the 2019 budget, there is a real source of funding that projects compete for. The NTAP is to conduct a community-based land management planning process on those lands managed by DNR as part of the Dabob Bay Natural Area. Unlike WWRP, however, there is not necessarily a direct source of funding for those projects that get on the list of NTAs. That list essentially serves as an approved set of projects, but the project proponents have to seek other sources of funding for the projects. Regarding a letter of support, should the county commissioners decide to go on record as supporting the project, the key components are simply to reference the grant number(DNR 2018 WWRP Proposal/ RCO Project#18-1517) and to provide a statement of the Board of County Commissioners support for the project. The letter can be addressed and emailed to me (see the address in the signature block below). From our viewpoint, and perhaps from the county's perspective,the grant will allow us to continue to work with willing sellers to piece together a truly meaningful conservation area that will not only help maintain the ecosystem health of Dabob Bay and the adjacent shoreline and uplands, it can also maintain the quality landscape that the people of Jefferson County value and it can provide a wonderful place for people to enjoy nature. Again, sorry for the confusion, and let me know if I can be of help in gaining an understanding of both of our proposals. I am in the office today and tomorrow. Please give me a call if you have any outstanding questions. John Gamon Natural Heritage Conservation Washington State Department of Natural Resources 1111 Washington Street SE Olympia,Washington 98504-7014 (360) 902-1661 john.gamon@dnr.wa.gov Original Message From: Philip Morley<pmorley@co.jefferson.wa.us> Sent: Wednesday,June 27, 2018 8:15 AM To: GAMON,JOHN (DNR) <JOHN.GAMON@dnr.wa.gov> 1 Philip Morley From: GAMON, JOHN (DNR) <JOHN.GAMON@dnr.wa.gov> Sent: Monday, April 30, 2018 10:29 AM To: jeffbocc Subject: DNR Notice of Intent to Pursue Grant for Dabob Acquisitions Attachments: WWRP_Grant_Notification_Jefferson_County.PDF Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners The Honorable Kathleen Kler, David Sullivan and Kate Dean, Commissioners Dear Commissioners: Attached you will find a letter regarding DNR's intent to submit a land acquisition grant through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. This letter is a requirement of the grant process. As indicated in the letter, if you have any questions about our proposal and/or would like to meet to discuss it in greater detail, please contact me. Sincerely, John Gamon Natural Heritage Conservation Washington State Department of Natural Resources 1111 Washington Street SE Olympia, Washington 98504-7014 (360) 902-1661 john.gamon@dnr.wa.gov DEPARTMENT OF 4tootiVar'Z, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION,RECREATION A � -sip m TRANSACTIONS - r/ Olympia,Washington os ? 360-902.1661 w�, John.gamon@dnr.wa.gov April 27, 2018 Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners The Honorable Kathleen Kler, David Sullivan and Kate Dean, Commissioners PO Box 1220 Port Townsend,Washington 98368 Subject: Notice of Proposal to Pursue Property Acquisition in Jefferson County RCO Grant Application#18-1517A Dear Commissioners Kler, Sullivan and Dean: I am writing to inform you that the Washington Department of Natural Resources is applying for a grant through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program(WWRP)to acquire property located in Jefferson County. If awarded, this grant funding would allow acquisition of approximately 277 acres within the Dabob Bay Natural Area.This acquisition is intended to help protect and conserve the high-quality features found within Dabob Bay, including coastal spits, coastal bluffs, shorelines and adjacent uplands. State law, RCW 79A.15.110, requires that we notify the local legislative body of our intent to apply for a state grant to acquire real property from the WWRP, administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office(RCO). This letter is your notification. The law states that the local legislative authority may, at its discretion, submit a letter to the RCO identifying its position with regard to the acquisition project. Any letters received will be made available to the governor and the state legislature when the prioritized project list is submitted as part of the RCO's capital budget request. The law also states that we must"confer" with local officials on this acquisition. To meet grant program deadlines, we must complete this prior to July 6, 2018. Please let me know who the appropriate contact(s) is/are so we may open a dialogue. Enclosed is the application project description, an acquisition strategy, and a map identifying the location of the project, priority parcels and the geographic envelop of the proposed project. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information about this acquisition proposal. Sincerely, John Gamon Natural Heritage Conservation Washington State Department of Natural Resources 1111 Washington Street SE Olympia, Washington 98504-7014 (360) 902-1661 john.gamon@dnr.wa.gov Enclosures(4) Letter to Jefferson County Commissioners April 27, 2018 Subject: Notice of Proposal to Pursue Property Acquisition in Jefferson County RCO Grant Application#18-1517A Attachment: Reference to statutory language RCW 79A.15.110 Review of proposed project application. State or local agencies or nonprofit nature conservancies shall review the proposed project application and confer with the county or city with jurisdiction over the project area prior to applying for funds for the acquisition of property under this chapter. The appropriate county or city legislative authority may, at its discretion, submit a letter to the board identifying the authority's position with regard to the acquisition project. The board shall make the letters received under this section available to the governor and the legislature when the prioritized project list is submitted under this chapter. RCW 79A.15.010 "Confer" means a dialogue between project sponsors and local county and city officials with the purpose of early review of potential projects. The dialogue may include any matter relevant to a particular project, which may include but need not be limited to: Project purpose and scope; project elements; estimated project cost; costs and benefits to the community;plans for project management and maintenance; and public access. Dabob Bay NA Project Description 18-1517A The Department of Natural Resources proposes to acquire approximately 277 acres of shoreline and mature riparian forest parcels within Dabob Bay Natural Area. The natural area is located in Jefferson County, within the Hood Canal region of Puget Sound. The target area consists of eight priority parcels (some have lower-valued improvements). This project contains high-quality examples of coastal spits, which are supported by coastal bluffs and shorelines within the natural area that provide sediment and woody debris for continued ecological function. Additionally, the proposal includes high-quality examples of under-represented forest vegetation types listed in DNR's Natural Heritage Plan. The acquisitions will provide opportunities to remove shoreline hardening and restore natural stream function. By acquiring the priority parcels, DNR will strengthen the protection of the Dabob Bay Natural Area Preserve and the Natural Resources Conservation Area, as well as provide for education and research opportunities, potential access for low-impact recreation, and support the statewide system of natural areas as a whole. Washington State Department of Natural Resources Dabob Bay Natural Area 2018 WWRP Natural Areas Category, RCO#18-1517A April 25, 2018 Land Acquisition Strategy The boundary for the Dabob Bay Natural Area (NA) has been officially approved by the Commissioner of Public Lands. The process of approval included holding a public hearing in Jefferson County. The long- term goal is to have all lands within the boundary (the project area; see map) under some form of conservation management. These lands are considered high priority for conservation management in perpetuity and are important for protecting the natural function of one of the highest quality estuarine wetland and shoreline habitats remaining in Puget Sound. This proposal identifies eight specific properties that DNR intends to acquire in fee (red/black cross- hatch on map). DNR and/or its partner, Northwest Watershed Institute (NWI), has consulted with each of the current landowners, and all have expressed interest in conveyance to the State for inclusion in the NA. The acreages and cost figures in this application are estimates specific to these eight priority properties. While DNR will pursue the identified priority properties upon contract award, in the event negotiations are unsuccessful, DNR proposes to use awarded funds in consultation with RCO to acquire other properties within the NA boundary, as it has under previous WWRP land acquisition grants. Selecting alternative properties for acquisition will be based on factors such as landowner willingness, ecological significance with emphasis on shoreline and proximity to the Natural Area Preserve (NAP), threat of development, existing improvements on the property, parcel size, purchase price, and land management obligations. Priority Properties: Shoreline property that includes a mature riparian forest along Lemonds Creek and A 22 acres rare plant community extending from DNR's abutting Lemonds Forest. Property also includes a beach cabin residence. 80-acre State Forest Board and 5-acre Common School trust lands containing a B 85 acres rare forest plant community in good condition that includes older forest with scattered old growth trees(known as Lemonds Forest). C 40 acres Shoreline property abutting State Forest Board trust land. Property includes an A- frame cabin and is used for recreation. D 113 acres State Forest Board trust land with some riparian corridors. E 5 acres Shoreline property within Natural Area Preserve. Property contains a yurt and is used for recreation. F 6 acres Shoreline property within Natural Area Preserve along Tarboo Bay. Property includes a log cabin and is used for recreation. G 1 acre Shoreline property on the mud spits of Tarboo Bay. Property includes a 1,200sqft residence. H 5 acres Shoreline property, partially within Natural Area Preserve. Property is undeveloped, but includes a poured foundation. Washington State Department of Natural Resources Page 2 of 2 Dabob Bay NA 2018, RCO#18-1517A April 25, 2018 All properties within the project area are important for potential conservation management. If circumstances change during the grant period, DNR retains the flexibility under this proposal to acquire any properties within the project area. In addition, while fee acquisition is preferred to establish secure, long-term protection for these lands, DNR may also acquire conservation easement interest on one or more parcels, as long as rights acquired by DNR assure conservation of ecological features in perpetuity. :z m wiz* g, ...a, „ ,lop d,, of ° [*.t" 0,..v*,k,,:'iiiiii, , r,: yi (f w ido y- µii R 11 11 A. . ,�:r•'. l�0 Q ".b '�_ � y d $t•'-'..,,,,.k,�'.� a �'w'L ti ? tom. a*x;- rs - r ; y } " 9 ' A 1 j,, 1 a sy µ I7~ t i,,o, l' ...,,,,,,„,„,„ . ;rwi !� '' i' hula aill �li`�IC ..r'cW i 3.'' ' r e,%-qt R h °mi i� ' ' ° - ,. 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