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HomeMy WebLinkAbout072720_cabs01 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Philip Morley, Jefferson County Administrator DATE: July 27, 2020 RE: Jefferson Land Trust Conferral on Three Grant Applications to Purchase or Place Conservation Easements on Property in Port Townsend and in Chimacum. STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Jefferson Land Trust will confer with the Board of County Commissioners on Three Grant Applications the Land Trust plans to submit to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)to purchase or place conservation easements on property in Port Townsend and in Chimacum. ANALYSIS: Background materials provided by the Jefferson Land Trust about the three projects is attached. In addition to participating in the conferral, the Board of County Commissioners may consider submitting letters to the RCO identifying its position with regard to each project. FISCAL IMPACT: N/A. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends conferring with the Jefferson Land Trust on the three projects, and consider whether or not to submit up to three letters to the RCO, each letter identifying its position with regard to one of the projects. hilip Morl unty Administrator' Date May 1,2020 Subject: Notice of Property Acquisition in Port Townsend,Jefferson County RCO Grant Application#20-1681 Honorable Kate Dean, I am writing to inform you that Jefferson Land Trust is applying for a grant through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) Farmland Preservation account to permanently protect property located in Port Townsend and Jefferson County.As you saw in our previous letter dated April 27, 2020, we are applying for several grants this year. If we are successfully awarded funds for this project,the grant would allow acquisition of a conservation easement on approximately 77 acres located both within Port Townsend city limits and in adjacent unincorporated Jefferson County.This acquisition is intended to protect the largest farm located in Port Townsend, preserving prime farmland soils in close proximity to Jefferson County's largest population center.Jefferson Land Trust seeks to protect the property, called Natembea Farm,to ensure its availability for food production within Port Townsend, in perpetuity. 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. As you may know,Jefferson Land Trust has been collaborating with local partners Jefferson County,WSU- Extension,Jefferson County Conservation District,the Food Co-op, North Olympic Development Council, state agencies,the Navy,and many more to protect farmland throughout Jefferson County since the early 2000's. Our grant applications in 2020 are Jefferson Land Trust's next steps in continuing efforts to protect working lands, local economy,and habitat within our county. If you choose to send a letter to RCO,they 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.A supporting letter from you could make a big impact on the success of our RCO application for protecting Natembea Farm. The law also states that we must confer with local officials on this acquisition.To meet grant program deadlines, we must complete this conferral process prior to August 5, 2020.Jefferson Land Trust staff is happy to arrange online conference meetings (to follow the Governor's current Stay Home,Stay Safe order)or to present at Board of County Commissioners weekly meeting to discuss the goals of the this project and any questions or recommendations you may have. We hope to have the chance to talk with you about this project. Enclosed is our application's project description, location map, and a map of potential parcels for the proposed project. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information about this acquisition proposal. I am working remotely so I can be reached at my cell phone(360)643-0570 or sspaeth@saveland.org. Sincerely, s. s_, Sarah Spaeth, Director of Conservation and Strategic Partnerships,Jefferson Land Trust For reference: 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. Natembea Farm Project Description Jefferson Land Trust is applying for grant funds to purchase a conservation easement on the approximately 77-acre Natembea Farm, located both in the City of Port Townsend and in unincorporated Jefferson County.The purpose of this acquisition is to permanently preserve the prime agricultural soils and productivity,wetland habitat,and scenic character of the largest farm in the City of Port Townsend and adjacent Jefferson County. Conservation values include nearly 70-acres of Farmland of Statewide Importance soils;agricultural ponds and a well with agricultural water rights; agricultural infrastructure and natural wetlands. Natembea Farm currently provides land to six diverse agricultural operations that produce vegetables,fruit and nut trees,flowers,goat meat and beef for local markets. This easement will extinguish all but a few of the many development rights associated with the Natembea Farm parcels and will help ensure that there is prime farmland available for food production in close proximity to Jefferson County's largest population center,where there is both a strong demand for local food and increasing development pressure. Natembea Project Jefferson Land Trust Preserves ri--1 ......„ Conservation Easements Z_ . � IL.�� Other Conservation Lands ` Port ,. •\ "-- Roads Townsend t y City of Port Townsend Limits -- f,F' j/ I r f `" r ofrrialiaf s` Port c� �� :-A,tic, Townsend ya i p ket `i St 6 'I P i<ry _._. '` b Pon To end`, '" 'S! WA r t. _ R,c I te}d.3.., �j} a .._ 3 'Ir a .art n_ �a Freeman SI Gi,o er. ',, R Bay OAIr Enyei lit) 19 ', o r ;>n� Club m ac J *I \ �tit,Rd Jeff'"" Q , K(Irsut MARROWS lOV t County Intl , A c Harbor .SLAB;.' #Aie Discover v +sr:#, Airport r•"' �` dj y y 7 14a!AY Bay - y t"''i (-VI',e,utesn a '116 i '-Ri ' " UsNaval IReservation Nor 20 Arden':", 5 ;ta�#° a - III `Qn M g I _1 a Port �, 7/ Hadlock �n 2Y, O A P 72/ �'� ' Rein ,,. if-,e� r I \ Mar 2 l� L; _ �f< 1v.nna;Gn Ln \Jr on fi'" s (moan tat arc.,, L -i y I- ,I t m' i'11 '". Roebms Rd Disne . -eaon� of ,,a Ch J Oak Bay , as ,- r iiiii 1 u.'. :- ,,Bari.,,, / National Ggrographic Esri,Garmin,HERE, UNEP-WCMC, USGS,NASA.ESA, METI,'NRc,7AN,GEBCO,NOAA.increment P Corp. 0 3.600 7,200 14400 I I I 'Feet „.1r'ro Natembea Farm 20-1 'j Qi �V 1 2017 Aerial Image (NAIP) r A.' ` 1 For informational purposes only.All " E Locator Map data represented are from varying 'i`L `D I sources and approximate. BUST Map created in MAY, 2020 N Natembea Project Area — Roads Natembea Entire Property City Property ` City of Port Townsend Limits Wetlands 1 County Parcels I /. i / ., ,// / �� = _ 10 L _ " a `a .-, ( i, .41�r, rI `ir,.1.s` —r ti'/ iI I PotlatchjWay / • + c ' �" f' " " , 001093004 001093002 � . n' ., -. l'S'' 1 ip,<./1,4*:( - .4, .w j /i '' 7th Str � s e -,-,1 .,4 , • 0 I 1 •.t !/, ems' - / ... 4 Cl) , I i" /1 "/ 997000401' ! k` 997000101 l / f 997000301 997000201 I{ ,' S Jacob Miller Rd s ° i �� , t4 997000601 / //997000701 ' 10. Natembea Farm 20-1681 2017 Aerial Image(NAIP) ,�a ,�.o For informational purposes only.All rr p ,,,�E�,�„ Parcel Map data represented are from varying �� sources and approximate. N 1 KUS T Map created in MAY.2020 May 4, 2020 Subject: Notice of Property Acquisition in Port Townsend,Jefferson County RCO Grant Application#20-1405 Honorable Greg Brotherton: I am writing to inform you that Jefferson Land Trust is applying for a grant through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) Farmland Preservation account to permanently protect property located in Jefferson County.As you saw in our previous letter dated April 27, 2020,we are applying for several grants this year. If we are successfully awarded funds for this project,the grant would allow acquisition of a conservation easement on approximately 115 acres located near Chimacum.This acquisition is intended to protect one of the largest historical farms in Jefferson County, preserving prime farmland soils and spawning habitat for threatened salmonid species in Chimacum Creek.Jefferson Land Trust seeks to protect the property, Hannan Farm,to ensure its availability for agricultural productivity in our county, in perpetuity. 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. As you may know,Jefferson Land Trust has been collaborating with local partners Jefferson County,WSU- Extension,Jefferson County Conservation District,the Food Co-op, North Olympic Development Council, state agencies,the Navy, and many more to protect farmland throughout Jefferson County since the early 2000's. Our grant applications in 2020 are Jefferson Land Trust's next steps in continuing efforts to protect working lands, local economy,and habitat within our county. If you choose to send a letter to RCO,they 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. A supporting letter from you could make a big impact on the success of our RCO application for protecting Hannan Farm. The law also states that we must confer with local officials on this acquisition.To meet grant program deadlines,we must complete this conferral process prior to August 5, 2020.Jefferson Land Trust staff is happy to arrange online conference meetings or to present at the Board of County Commissioner's weekly meeting to discuss the goals of the this project and any questions or recommendations you may have. We hope to have the chance to talk with you about this project. Enclosed is our application's project description, location map, and a map of potential parcels for the proposed project. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information about this acquisition proposal. I am working remotely so I can be reached at my cell phone (360)643-0570 or sspaeth@saveland.org. Sincerely, 2 Sarah Spaeth, Director of Conservation and Strategic Partnerships,Jefferson Land Trust For reference: 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. Hannan Farm Project Description Jefferson Land Trust is applying for grant funds to purchase a conservation easement on the approximately 115-acre Hannan Farm, located in Jefferson County.The purpose of this acquisition is to permanently preserve the prime agricultural soils on one of the largest historical working farms in Chimacum watershed by preventing subdivision and eliminating the estimated three remaining development rights. Conservation values include Farmland of Statewide Importance and Prime Agricultural soils; Chimacum Creek riparian salmonid spawning habitat and natural wetland; agricultural infrastructure and market accessibility;and scenic open space.The property is located 4 miles south of the agricultural-hub town of Chimacum in fertile Center Valley, and the mother/daughter landowners are raising beef cattle and hay crops.The easement will help permanently preserve approximately 2,000 feet of east Chimacum Creek, and approximately 3,000 feet of seasonal streams that have been replanted through NRCS programs and Jefferson County Conservation District efforts.Jefferson Land Trust aims to protect this historical working farm,threatened salmonid spawning habitat, and open space values through a conservation easement funded by RCO, Conservation Futures, and the Navy REPI program. 2 /fl AL is r f Hannan Farm AL �' v' Jefferson Land Trust Preserves Port ✓ - -- Townsend Conservation Easements rri Other Conservation Lands —1 -.'\j--- Roads y'Port 3 4 - Townsend ��1 Admiralty T L o a e. t rr�N Fit 19 'Ma Jut. k., I[ffe so, - 1/fYt r Cou nty }/Kaf(+or ts,:i7„ 0f5Covery airport Bay er er :t i.• s� 115 USNaval _ peseraa Nor F { I .., „,. 7., . .. z it .d ,., ` ..,,, - '�...,/�r Port ` L..6 Hadiock i eSy Oak Bay ___s F., y l _ : i ':.,- Ad' It .y { as 6 ... , Fpp Ana . 0 o. k National Geographic Esri,Garmin' HERE,UNEP-WCMC, USGS.NASA,ESA, 1 r METI, NRCAN,GEBCO;-NOAA.incrernen€P Corp. 0 4,500 9,000 18.000 I I I I Feet Hannan Farm 1 1 2017 Aerial Image (NAIP) k .:1 ` For informational purposes only.All / ,s Site Location Map data represented are from varying 1Lf�N`D sources and approximate. TRUST y Map created in FEBRUARY, 2020 N i . i�r �� rtil Egg& i Rd � 17. ''>4`' `, .1, . I , - ..47; t.•; ;:•`,"•,"`:,...7 ';`;''1,` . •.:•'.;; r4V;''',...1,-,.<-,:.: '„,,J,- ),,,,,,Z4 ,,,, , , - .1 *- ;;• / /ire �, • - • x t ` /- ' ''-' ' -'''' - t; ' -4-- t.) .--:-,- 'J1 , ' -; ,--,-,;'o - -: a t^.E.' > F Castillo Rd , 1r -i "•- .R . . 1 Y , - b '�' bt - r -- ' Fr7 ,'�;, ..� o '4 Hannan Farm 1 ¢ •t County Parcels a �� 277' ' :t. ^F apt «.'a ; I . .. 4` A g � • ,- :- f r . °� t i a`''r °e �. 4 t • „ ,� .. ��._ Water course . ',, k r.E 1„ P.'#P-i'ig:=4.:ihi\- . w, w $1 KK � �O Roads ,,,i, t .:z - „. n - v � `` _ r -a. y.. > j______i J 1,,... (-4:**,;:ti, Hannan Farm 20-1405 2017 Aerial Image(NAIP) For informational purposes only.All - ,,., Parcel Map 1 a p data represented are from varying N 'ND sources and approximate. ] IZUSf l Map created in APRIL,2020 April 27,2020 Subject: Notice of Property Acquisition in Port Townsend,Jefferson County RCO Grant Application#20-1283 Dear Philip, I am writing to inform you that Jefferson Land Trust is applying for a grant through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) Urban Wildlife Habitat account to acquire property located in Port Townsend, and adjacent rural Jefferson County. If awarded,this grant funding would allow acquisition of approximately 57 acres within the identified Quimper Wildlife Corridor.These acquisitions will preserve additional high priority parcels identified in the 3.5 miles QWC greenbelt project located in Port Townsend; preserve wetlands that serve as stormwater retention and wildlife habitat; and protect trail corridors identified as priority in the City's Resolution 09-034. 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. As you likely know,Jefferson Land Trust has been collaborating with the City of Port Townsend and Jefferson County around the Quimper Wildlife Corridor protection since the early 1990's.This grant application in 2020 is Jefferson Land Trust taking another step in the long-term ongoing efforts to provide a permanent natural area for habitat and recreation. If you choose to send a letter to RCO,they 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.A supporting letter from you could make a big impact on the success of our RCO application for protecting more of the Quimper Wildlife Corridor that our community benefits from. The law also states that we must confer with local officials on this acquisition.To meet grant program deadlines,we must complete this conferral process prior to August 5, 2020.Jefferson Land Trust staff is happy to arrange online conference meetings (to follow the Governor's current Stay Home,Stay Safe order) or to present at the Board of County Commissioner's weekly meeting to discuss the goals of the this project and any questions or recommendations you may have. Enclosed is our application's project description, location map, and a map of potential parcels for the proposed project.The geographic envelope of this proposed multi-site acquisition project is also enclosed. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information about this acquisition proposal. I am working remotely due to the Governor's Stay Home order, so I can be reached at my cell phone (360)643-0570 or sspaeth@saveland.org. Sincerely, t 4A_ c Sp 0- . Sarah Spaeth, Director of Conservation and Strategic Partnerships,Jefferson Land Trust 1 For reference: 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. Quimper Wildlife Corridor Additions Project Description Jefferson Land Trust is applying for acquisition funds for the Quimper Wildlife Corridor(QWC), located in Port Townsend,Jefferson County.The City,Jefferson County,the Land Trust and the community have worked since the mid 1990's to protect a 3.5 mile greenbelt of native forest and a series of palustrine wetlands stretching across the N. Quimper Peninsula,following the City's largest drainage basin. Historic platting from the 1880's divided most of this land into 50x100 ft lots.To date,the partners have permanently preserved over 245 acres that provide habitat for over 130 bird species, including WDFW priority species Pileated woodpecker, bald and golden eagles,amphibians, mountain beaver, bobcat, cougar,deer,elk and other wildlife.A beloved and extensive network of trails and undeveloped City right-of ways through the QWC provide access to community members and visitors for hiking, horse riding, biking, connecting neighborhoods, bird watching,school nature programs and educational activities. Recent outreach to remaining priority private owners resulted in over 40 positive responses for sale of missing links within the QWC. Funding for this effort will allow us to acquire and permanently preserve many of these important habitat connecting and trail buffer parcels.Working with our City partners, it will also support an update of our shared management plan and an inventory of rare old growth trees scattered within the forest that hint of remnant prairie habitat. 2 ;.r 4 Potential Acquisitions i Jefferson Land Trust Preserve Public parcels DNR Leased by County X/7 Match Donation i Other Conserved Land Priority I diConservation Easements F u C a 11 — d e _ Ed[I] f Priority II Privately Protected U a n Ea CD®f Trails 0 100 Year Floodplain 0 '. . •� - i, y Stray �* .••—4110 I�p41 _ sf bf0® II/ Ilike.K. -7 I 74--7 li 0' ,....::-...:-.7 ....,'- .111;•-,-...-it-ii- 1 1 I i IMO 4 _••.•,.•.., Di LE r ®❑C ■■■ I I S :t: — °�Pg —OD 0 E D I I IUf7 f C �° flammjC�DL1T, ®■11.E 1 . ..., •,IR.1,—:11 Flill ; -7- - rii .. i ill.mill My __ ,...na c;g1le-ane ,, 111 ��_ N..0 IIIII El�', ❖�0❖1111I IImM NEN SIM Ellk ,e?2,' i -,, l I♦ .. HHM3E9f3f ■C'J❑:... ■ • ( III 1�'iTr ,�•. "IIm EH H-1 Hi EBB]DIE Inl -- - 0 200 400 800 1.200 1,600 2.0004_ I--I t--1 I (Feet r II4° Quimper Wildlife Corridor ,4 4,.t For informational purposes only.All \ 4, , Parcel I"M 1 a p data represented are from varying ��RUS sources and approximate. ` 'NL� Map created in April,2020 N Potential Acquisitions + Jefferson Land Trust Preserve ( '� Geographic Envelope A DNR Leased by County Public parcels i Other Conserved Land rz,7 A Match Donation + Conservation Easements 7 Priority) State Park a I Priority II Privately Protected a n de r u C Trails 100 Year Floodplain O J u -.me.11 ill®.'��4ly®;•NI • • •'1 � -nu ■wn unm aao Stray MEI ii:11®®::.�.®m®:_ , _, ...................... ICI ,,,� •®it,1 � 0::::�. n L Sf ❑©�mj rn®8❑■ • A CB III _ ,��. ■■_■.ri: ■1_ �_ .. ■:} I I.Q.:: ,,..,_ ' P� �E. it ..-. . ■.. II�9■. 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