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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJCCF 2021 NWI Camp Discovery application Mar 26 20211 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program Please complete the following application in its entirety. Be sure to answer “N/A” for questions that don’t apply to the project. Incomplete applications will not be accepted for consideration. Unless directed otherwise, use as much space as needed to answer each question. Contact program staff at 379-4498 or tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us with questions. Background and Eligibility Information 1. Project Title: Camp Discovery Creek Acquisition 2. Conservation Futures Acquisition Request: $140,000 Conservation Futures O&M Request: $0 3. Total Conservation Futures Request: $140,000 4. Please indicate the type of interest contemplated in the acquisition process. X Warranty Deed 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) 385-6786, ext. ____ ___________________________________ Fax: (360) 385-2839, ext. ____ 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 March 26, 2021 2021 Jefferson County Conservation Futures Program Property Acquisition and/or Operations and Maintenance Project Application 2 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program 7. Site Location Street Address or Description of Location: East of Toandos Road, headwaters of Camp Discovery Creek Driving Directions from Port Townsend: South on Coyle Road, right on Toandos Road and continue approx. ¼ mile to property to the south of Toandos Road. Section: 15 Township: 27 N Range: 1 W Assessor’s Parcel Number(s): 701-151-002 Please differentiate current and proposed ownership of each APN and indicate if the parcel is to be acquired with CF 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. $347,532 8. Existing Conditions New Site: Yes No ___________________________ Number of Parcels: 1 Addition to Existing Site: Yes No ______________ Acres to Be Acquired: 80.6 Total Project Acreage (if different):______________ Current Zoning: 1 per 80 Existing Structures/Facilities: No Any current covenants, easements or restrictions on land use: No Current Use: Forestry Waterfront (name of body of water): Camp Discovery Creek Shoreline (linear feet): ½ mile of Camp Discovery Creek and tributaries Owner Tidelands/Shorelands: NA 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, overarching goal, and three top objectives. Include information about the physical characteristics of the site that is proposed for acquisition with Conservation Futures 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 relates to the larger project, 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 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program 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. 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 upper Camp Discovery Creek, the second largest independent tributary to Tarboo-Dabob Bay and partly within the boundaries of the Dabob Bay Natural Area. The project includes streams, wetlands and riparian habitats and that support a high diversity of native species. Most of downstream Camp Discovery Creek is protected within the Dabob Bay Natural Area. Proposed uses The parcel will be owned and managed by NWI. The deed restriction and Navy restrictive easement will be sold that will prevent residential development. Selective timber harvest of the existing tree plantation is proposed to restore complex older forest structure and habitat. A walking trail system for supervised public school and other tours is planned. There is a possibility that in several years DNR will purchase the south half (40 acres) from NWI to reimburse NWI for part of the match for the initial purchase. Only the south 40 is already within the boundary of the Dabob Bay Natural Area where DNR has ability to purchase lands if they can receive funding in the future. Critical dates and urgency Rayonier has agreed to hold off on planned clearcutting of the property for a limited time to allow NWI to raise funding for purchase. Budget JCCF Request Match to JCCF Total Cost Timeline Acquistion Rayonier Property - fee simple 120,000 521,000 641,000 Jun-22 Acquisition Related Costs:14,000 14,000 Sep-21 to Jun-2022 Project management and administration 6,000 6,000 Sep-21 to June-22 Total Project Costs 140,000 521,000 661,000 Percent match to JCCF 79% 4 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program 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 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: 641,000. Total Estimated Acquisition-related Cost (see Conservation Futures Manual for eligible costs): $20,000 Total Operation and Maintenance Cost: $0 Total Project Cost: $661,000 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 based on a preliminary estimate from professional USPAP appraisal of timber and land by Greg Richards and Marty Strickland (forester) that is due for completion on April 2, 2021. O & M only go to question #15: Scored Questions 1 a. Sponsor or other organizations X will __will not contribute to acquisition of proposed site and/or operation and maintenance activities. 1 b. If applicable, please describe below how contributions from groups or agencies will reduce the need to use Conservation Futures program funds. 1 c. Matching Fund Estimate Acquisition O&M % Conservation Futures Funds Requested $140,000 $0 21% Matching Funds/Resources* $521,000 $0 79% Total Project Acquisition Cost $661,000 $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 d. Source of matching Amount of Contribution If not, Contribution If not, funds/resources contribution approved? when? available now? when? Navy REPI $200,000 Yes No 2022 Yes No 2022 5 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program NWI $321,000 Yes No 2022 Yes No 2022 NOTE: Matching funds are strongly recommended and a higher rating will be assigned to those projects that guarantee additional resources for acquisition. Donation of property or a property right will be considered as a matching resource. Donation of resources for on-going maintenance or stewardship (“in-kind” contributions) are not eligible as a match. 2 a. Sponsoring agency X is __is not prepared to provide long-term stewardship (easement monitoring, maintenance, up-keep, etc.) for the proposed project site. 2 b. Describe any existing programs or future plans for stewardship of the property, including the nature and extent of the commitment of resources to carry out the stewardship plan. Northwest Watershed Institute plans to manage the parcel long term, although the south 40 may be transferred to DNR for management as part of the Dabob Bay Natural Area. NWI will prepare a Stewardship Plan and conduct weed control. Long-term stewardship of the Camp Discovery Creek parcel can be efficiently incorporated into NWI’s existing operations because NWI’s main base of operation is the 400-acre Tarboo Wildlife Preserve in the Tarboo valley, located several miles from the proposed project. NWI already employs an experienced professional staff, including aquatic ecologist and botanist and field crew that conduct annual restoration projects, monitoring, and stewardship at properties in the Tarboo watershed. 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 for 18 years. NWI has extensive experience stewarding and managing the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve and conservation properties owned by other landowners using professional staff, experienced field crew, and volunteers. NWI forestlands are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and NWI recently completed a successful selective harvest in the Tarboo forest. 3 b. Has the sponsor and/or applicant of this project been involved in other projects previously approved for Conservation Futures funding? _____No, neither the sponsor nor applicant has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures funds. X Yes, the sponsor and/or applicant for this project has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures funds. Please provide details: Yes. Nine conservation easement and one fee simple project proposed by NWI and JLT were previously approved for CF funding as part of the landscape scale conservation project in the Tarboo 6 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program watershed. Nine projects have been successfully completed and the 2020 Upper Tarboo Wetlands Project acquisitions were recently completed, with restoration planned for 2021. 4 a. Property X can __cannot feasibly be acquired in a timely fashion with available resources. 4 b. Necessary commitments and agreements __ are X are not in place. 4 c. All parties __are X are not in agreement on the cost of acquisition. If “not” to any of the above, please explain below. Rayonier has expressed their motivation to sell by July of 2021 and NWI is optimistic that purchase agreements can be secured. 5. The proposed acquisition X is specifically identified in an adopted open space, conservation, or resource preservation program or plan, or community conservation effort. Please describe below, including the site’s importance to the plan. Please reference the website of the plan if available or include the plan with this application. __complements an adopted open space or conservation plan, but is not specifically identified. Please describe below, and describe how the proposed acquisition is consistent with the plan. __is a stand-alone project. The south ½ of the project is within the Dabob Bay Natural Area boundaries, as developed by DNR and partners through scientific assessment and public hearing process, and is a high priority for protection. Most of the remainder of Camp Discovery Creek is already protected or protection is underway. The project will fill the critical remaining gap in completing the protected stream corridor from the headwaters of Camp Discovery Creek to Dabob Bay. The project is identified as a conservation priority in the following plans: Jefferson Land Trust’s Jefferson County Conservation Plan (2010) identifies the project area as within a priority habitat conservation stream corridor. https://www.saveland.org/wp- content/uploads/2016/06/2010_JLT_ConservationPlan_LoRes.pdf The project is within the Dabob Bay priority area of the Tarboo Creek/Dabob Bay Implementation Strategy, a Sub-Plan of JLT’s Jefferson County Conservation Plan (2010). The project is a top priority in Northwest Watershed Institute’s Tarboo Watershed Conservation Strategy to protect and restore Tarboo-Dabob Bay (objective 3) (http://www.nwwatershed.org/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. 7 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program 6. Conservation Opportunity or Threat: 6 a. The proposed acquisition site X does __does not provide a conservation or preservation opportunity which would otherwise be lost or threatened. 6 b. If applicable, please carefully describe the nature and immediacy of the opportunity or threat, and any unique qualities about the site. High urgency! Rayonier has plans to clearcut the parcel and has already surveyed in some road access locations. However, Rayonier has agreed to hold off on the proposed sale to see if NWI can do a conservation purchase. CF funding in 2021is urgently needed to leverage other potential funding from private donors and other grant sources. 7. Summarize the project’s conservation values and how the CF funds requested support these values. The project represents a high benefit to cost ratio of CF funds because the CF funds are a small fraction (21%) of the overall project funding and the project has extremely high benefits for wildlife conservation, cultural resources, and education. The proposed project will fully protect and restore a critical gap in the stream and wetland conservation corridor that extends from the headwaters of Camp Discovery Creek to Tarboo-Dabob Bay, a priority in the landscape scale conservation effort for Dabob Bay. The 80 acres of forest, streams and ravien includes habitat, important to anadromous fish and many other native species and as a tribal cultural resource and valuable for environmental education. 8. The proposed acquisition: 8 a. X provides habitat for State of Washington Priority Habitat and/or State or Federal Threatened, Endangered or Sensitive species. 8 b. X provides habitat for a variety of native flora or fauna species. 8 c. X contributes to an existing or future wildlife corridor or migration route. 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 Priority and Listed Species on-site Camp Discovery Ck and tributaries Priority Riparian Habitat Western toad State Candidate and Federal Species of Concern Pileated woodpecker State Candidate Puget Sound steelhead -possible State Candidate and Federal Threatened Hood Canal coho salmon Federal Species of Concern Western Brook lamprey Federal Species of Concern Listed Species benefited downstream in Tarboo-Dabob Bay (documented rearing habitat) 1 See, for example, http://www.dnr.wa.gov/researchscience/topics/naturalheritage/pages/amp_nh.aspx http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/ http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/plants.html http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/pubs/wa_ecological_systems.pdf 8 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program Hood Canal summer chum salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened Provides habitat for a variety of native flora and fauna The project will protect and restore riparian, wetland and forest habitats that support a high diversity of at-risk fish, bird, amphibian, and mammal species, including western toad, waterfowl, and salmonids, and neo-tropical migratory birds. Camp Discovery Creek is the second largest stream entering Dabob Bay and the large property, with ½ mile of creek and tributaries, provides habitat for salmonids and the full complement of species that occur in PNW forests and streams. Wildlife corridor The proposed project , at the headwaters, is the last major step needed to protect the entirety of Camp Discovery Creek stream corridor. The project is located upstream of protected properties with the Dabob Bay Natural Area. The parcel is at the upper end of the stream corridor that functions as a single unit and a critical wildlife corridor for amphibians, fish, and other wildlife moving along Camp Discovery Creek. 8 d. Does the current owner participate in conservation programs that enhance wildlife habitat? If so, please provide details. Yes – the proposed owner is Northwest Watershed Institute which has been leading the Tarboo- Dabob Bay Conservation Program for 19 years. 9. Describe to what degree the project protects habitat for anadromous fish species (for example: marine shorelines, stream/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. This is a very important project for conserving anadromous fish species. The project will safeguard and restore the last major gap in protection along the upper mainstem of Camp Discover Creek, which provides documented spawning and rearing habitat for native coho salmon, coastal cutthroat trout, fall chum salmon, and potentially steelhead. 10 a. Describe the extent and nature of current and planned agricultural use of the proposed acquisition, including any anticipated changes to that use once the property, or property right, is acquired with funds. N/A 10 b. Describe the current owner’s record of implementing management practices that preserves and/or enhances soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat on the farm. N/A 10 c. Describe how the acquisition or proposed easement will likely preserve and/or enhance soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat. 9 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program Protection and restoration of Camp Discovery Creek will maximize wetland functions of preserving water quality and wildlife habitat, while allowing sustainable harvest of timber and other forest resources. 11 a. Describe the extent and nature of current and planned silvicultural use of the proposed acquisition. Please cite or provide documentation of existing or planned silvicultural activities including forest management plan(s) or forest ecosystem restoration. NWI plans to conduct to selectively cut the 30+ year old plantation forest that is growing on the upland portions of the property to restore older forest structure, function and habitats and provide sustainable timber products. 11 b. Describe the current owner’s record of implementing management practices that preserves and /or enhances soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat. Northwest Watershed Institute has been conducting forest related watershed restoration for 19 years including road removal, forest tree planting, stream culvert replacement and invasive species removal, and timber harvest. The proposed restoration will involve long term use of silvicultural practices to restore older forest habitat. 11 c. Describe how the property acquisition or proposed easement will likely preserve and/or enhance soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat. The primary goal of the project is to preserve and restore Camp Discovery Creek and restore diverse older riparian forest habitat. 12 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 is a key part of the much larger conservation effort that spans from the headwaters of Tarboo Creek to the state’s Dabob Bay Natural Area. In particular, the project will protect a critical “gap” in the Camp Discovery Creek corridor that will directly benefit salmon habitat and biodiversity and safeguard water quality in downstream Dabob Bay, which has been recognized as a state and national priority for conservation due to its diverse estuarine habitats and valuable shellfish production. 12 b. Is the project located in an area that is under-represented by CF funded Projects? Areas that Conservation Futures has not been able to support to date include Marrowstone Island, Toandos Peninsula, Dosewallips Valley, Bolton Peninsula, and the West End. Yes, the project is in an under-represented area – on Toandos Peninsula 13. Describe the educational or interpretive opportunities that exist for providing 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.2 The Upper Tarboo Creek Wetlands Preserve will serve as an important site for educating the public on forest protection and sustainable use. The site is easily accessible Toandos Road and NWI plans to 2 The words “education” and “interpretation” are interpreted broadly by the CF Committee. 10 2021 CF Program Application DRAFT http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program develop a small foot trail system to host workshops, tours and other public events to expand understanding and adoption of forest restoration methods. As mentioned below, the property will also serve an important educational purpose as a place for the Tribes to pass on traditions of sustainable gathering of forest plants used for cultural purposes and ceremonies. The properties are also available for public access by prior permission, including deer hunting, berry picking, and mushroom picking, three important recreational uses in rural areas. 14. The proposed acquisition __ includes historic or culturally significant resources3 and __ 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. If affirmative in any of the above, please describe below, and cite or provide documentation of the historical or cultural resources. The JCCF grant application states that cultural resources include “…traditional, religious, ceremonial, and social uses and activities of affected Indian Tribes…”. The Camp Discovery Creek wetlands are an important cultural resource under this definition. 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 native plant communities 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. The project site’s forests will eventually provide resources for tribal uses, such as cedar bark for basket weaving. If funded, the project will permanently conserve the forest while allowing sustainable harvest and gathering to maintain tribal cultural traditions. 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 1. Project vicinity map PROJECT 2. Project site in relation to Camp Discovery and Dabob Bay protected lands (green) PROJECT Camp Discovery Creek 3. Unstable slopes at project site and Dabob Bay Natural Area Proposed Upper Camp Discover Ck Previous purchases from Pope Resources 4. Project site map in relation to Dabob Bay Natural Area boundary, Camp Discovery Creek ravine, and protected lands to west and south. Sour ce: Es ri , Max ar, GeoEye, Earths tar G eographics , CNES/Ai rbus D S, U SD A, US GS, AeroGRID, IGN , and the GIS U ser C omm uni ty, Jeffers on County, WA., Pr o-W es t & Assoc iates, Inc., Puget Sound LiD AR Consor tium , H oh & Quinault Tr ibes; J effer son C ounty These data are provided on an "AS-IS" basis, wit hout warranty of any type, expressed or implied, including but not limited to any warrant y as to their performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose.This map is not a substitute fo r accu rate field su rveys o r for locating act ual property lines and any a djacent features. Jeffers on County, WA Da te : 1/2 0/20 211:9,028 DNR NA DNR NA DNR NA Dabob Bay Natural Area Boundary Rayonier 80 acres new road survey Toandos Road Upper Camp Discovery Creek 5. Aerial parcel map Sour ce: Es ri , Max ar, G eoEye, Earths tar Geogr aphics , C N ES/Ai rbus DS, U SD A, US GS, AeroGR ID , IG N, and the GIS User Com munity, Jefferson C ounty, WA., Pro-We st & A ssoci ates, Inc. These data are provided on an "AS-I S" basis, wit hout warranty of any type, expressed or implied, including but not limit ed to any warranty as to their performance, merchantability, or fitness for any part icular purpose.This map is not a sub stitute for accura te f ield su rveys or f or locating actu al p ropert y lines and any adjace nt features. Jefferson County, WA Da te : 3/2 6/20211:9,02 8 6. Potential road access marked into planned clearcut of project site. 7. Second growth 30+ year old tree plantation in need of restoration on site. 8. 30+ year old forest tree plantation on project site along steep ravine. 9. One of the headwater tributaries of Camp Discovery Creek on the project site. 10. Camp Discovery Creek on the project site. 11. Camp Discovery Creek provides habitat for coho and chum salmon and cutthroat trout and is the second largest independent tributary to Tarboo-Dabob Bay – important to Dabob Bay water quality.