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HomeMy WebLinkAboutQuimper TLT CFF Application Final 1 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer 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 Quimper Trust Land Transfer 2. Conservation Futures Acquisition Request: $199,500 Conservation Futures O&M Request: $5,500 3. Total Conservation Futures Request: $205,000 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? Jefferson County 5. Applicant Information Name of Applicant or Organization: Jefferson County Contact: N/A Title: N/A Address: N/A Phone: (_____) _____-________, ext. ____ _______________________ Fax: (_____) _____-________, ext. ____ Email: N/A 6. Sponsor Information: (if different than applicant) Organization Name: Jefferson Land Trust Contact: Sarah Spaeth Title: Director of Conservation & Strategic Partnerships Address: 1033 Lawrence St. Port Townsend, WA 98368 Phone: (360) 379-9501, ext. 101 ________________________________ Fax: (_____) _____-________, ext. ____ Email: sspaeth@saveland.org This application was approved by the sponsor’s legally responsible body (e.g., board, council, etc.) on March 15, 2022. 2022 Jefferson County Conservation Futures Program Property Acquisition Project and/or Operations and Maintenance Project Application 2 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer 7. Project Location Street Address or Description of Location: “Quimper West” & “Baby Quimper”: North Jacob Miller Road (across from Stillpoint Lane). Port Townsend, WA “Quimper East”: Elmira St (at Lanes End Lane). Port Townsend, WA Driving Directions from Port Townsend: Quimper West: From Port Townsend, head west on Hastings Ave and then turn right onto North Jacob Miller Road. Travel approximately 3/4mile to the driveway entrance (old forestry gate approx. 50 ft into driveway). Baby Quimper: From Port Townsend, head west on Hastings Ave and then turn right onto North Jacob Miller Road. Travel approximately 3/4miles – it lies about 350 feet east of the larger Quimper West property (across North Jacob Miller Rd.). Quimper East: From Port Townsend, head west on Hastings Ave and then turn right onto Cook Avenue. Travel approximately .6 miles, turn left onto Elmira St. and travel to the end of the road. The property is on the left side of the road. Section: 32 (Quimper West & Baby); Section 33 (Quimper East) Township: 31 Range: 1W Assessor’s Parcel Number(s): Quimper West- 101324001 & 101323004 Baby Quimper - 999007201 Quimper East - 101333002 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. All parcels are currently owned by Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), leased by Jefferson County. All the parcels will be fully transferred to Jefferson County with the help of CF funds. Please list the assessed values for each property or APN, as applicable. These State-owned properties are not assessed for tax values by Jefferson County. At the time that the lease was initiated in 2009, the fee-simple value of the properties was $1,585,000, with the remaining value after the lease payment $228,800. Given current real estate property trends, Jefferson Land Trusts expects that the value will likely have doubled over the last 13 years. 8. Existing Conditions New Site: Yes No __________________________ Number of Parcels: Four (4) Addition to Existing Site: Yes No ______________ Acres to Be Acquired: 107 Total Project Acreage (if different): 138 acres in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor permanently protected to date by Jefferson County, City of Port Townsend, and Jefferson Land Trust. 3 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer Current Zoning: Rural Residential 1:20; currently under DNR Managed Timberlands. Existing Structures/Facilities: None Any current covenants, easements or restrictions on land use: 50-year lease by Jefferson County under the DNR Trust Land Transfer program. Current Use: Leased by Jefferson County for fish and wildlife habitat, open space, or recreation uses. Waterfront (name of body of water): None Shoreline (linear feet): None Owner Tidelands/Shorelands: N/A 9. Current Property Owner X is __is not a willing seller. From the Lease between DNR and Jefferson County: “3.02 Option to Purchase the Remainder of the Fee Interest. At any time during this Lease, Lessee may request to purchase the residual value of the fee interest by submitting an offer to accept a land transfer that contains the terms and conditions of the offer…” 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 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 Land Trust is sponsoring this application on behalf of Jefferson County to transfer the fee-simple ownership of three properties owned by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to Jefferson County ownership. These parcels are located in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor—just outside of the Port Townsend city limits—identified as three distinct properties nearby each other. These properties are commonly referred to as “Quimper West” (78.8 acres), “Quimper East” (27.5 acres), and “Baby Quimper” (0.83 acres), 107 acres in total. In 2008, Jefferson County applied to purchase these properties from DNR through Washington State’s Trust Land Transfer program. Usually, Trust Land Transfer (TLT) projects result in the fee- simple ownership by another governmental entity (such as county government); however, in 2008, the Washington State legislature instead decided to award a 50-year lease to TLT applicants, rather than fee- simple ownership. The result was that in 2009, DNR and Jefferson County entered into a 50-year lease with the option for Jefferson County to purchase the remaining value of the property at a future date before the expiration of the lease. The lease temporarily takes the three DNR properties out of School Trust management, protecting the properties from forestry management by DNR for the duration of the lease. Related to the future acquisition by the County, Section 3.02 of the lease states, “The terms and conditions of the offer must include a deed restriction that restricts the Permitted Use of the Property to fish and wildlife 4 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer habitat, opens space, or recreation use in conformance with Washington Laws…, and require that the Premises no longer be used for any other purposes.” Property Reference Map Simultaneous to Jefferson County leasing the Quimper TLT properties, Jefferson County entered into a Stewardship Agreement with Jefferson Land Trust to support the necessary stewardship and management activities for these three properties which the Land Trust has been fulfilling for over a dozen years. Jefferson Land Trust intends to continue assisting the County in stewarding these properties; the Land Trust and the County will update this joint stewardship agreement prior to or upon acquisition. Seeing the critical value in having these 107 acres permanently protected from DNR forestry activities and from the potential for future development, Jefferson Land Trust approached Jefferson County staff and commissioners in 2020 to offer to fundraise for, and spearhead the project management of, the transfer of the Quimper TLT properties. County commissioners and staff were supportive and excited by the idea, as they had already planned to acquire the fee-simple interest sometime before the 50-year lease with DNR expired. In March of 2021, Jefferson Land Trust initiated a community fundraising campaign called the Quimper Wildlife Corridor Challenge, which aimed to raise $1.76 million dollars to protect an additional 164 acres in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor, including the permanent protection of the three Quimper Trust Land Transfer properties by Jefferson County. Given the exponential rises in real estate costs in Jefferson County beginning in early 2020, the goal of raising $1.76 for the Quimper Wildlife Corridor has become insufficient for protecting 164 acres; therefore we are applying to Conservation Futures for $205,000 toward the Trust Land Transfer properties. The estimated value of the three TLT properties is difficult to predict based upon recent timber and land appraisals, and DNR will not have completed their certified appraisal until October 2022; however, we have estimated $343,200 for Jefferson County to purchase the remaining value in the Quimper TLT properties. 48.8% from CF funds, and 51.2% is matched from community fundraising by Jefferson Land Trust. Three Top Objectives: 5 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer 1) Jefferson Land Trust secures $205,000 in CF funds, which completes the necessary fundraising for the remaining value and project costs in the Quimper Trust Land Transfer properties. 2) Jefferson Land Trust conducts project management on behalf of Jefferson County, including working with DNR to conduct appraisal, seek approval from state DNR board, and secure the Purchase and Sale Agreement for Jefferson County. 3) Jefferson County secures permanent ownership of the 107 acres, permanently protecting the properties for habitat, open space, and recreation; Jefferson Land Trust and Jefferson County collaboratively update the joint stewardship plan to continue management of the 107 acres. The physical characteristics of the properties are primarily forested on nearly-level ground. The Quimper West property is approximately 79 acres of mixed-age forest that includes grand fir, cedar, Douglas fir, western hemlock, madrone, with diverse hardwood and understory species. The property can be described as healthy, structurally diverse, and is on track to achieving old-growth forest characteristics such as large downed logs, standing snags, and mixed aged trees. Previous forestry management by DNR within the Quimper West property resulted in one primary logging road and some spur roads, which have now been utilized by the local community for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding trails for decades. Baby Quimper is a forested 0.83-acre property and is surrounded by private, residential properties and Jefferson Land Trust preserve. Current and future management of Baby Quimper is primarily to ensure that conservation values are not threatened by noxious weeds or property line encroachment. The Quimper East property is 27.5 acres and is a fairly uniform forest of dense, regenerating Douglas fir that was planted after a clearcut by DNR in 1980s. The understory is primarily salal, and this property could benefit from ecological forest management to help it in the recovery from commercial management. The planned future uses of the property will be continuing to provide habitat protection, open space and recreational opportunities through trail access (on Quimper West). The Quimper East property does not have developed trails and will benefit from ecological forestry management (described further in questions #10 and 11). This project is a priority for Jefferson Land Trust and Jefferson County as it will permanently protect 107 acres from commercial forestry activities and the potential for future residential development. The Quimper TLT properties provide habitat for wildlife, recreational trails for citizens and tourists alike, and open space that broadly benefits the county by protecting maturing forests and wetlands that sequester carbon, filter stormwater, and maintain the rural character of the Olympic Peninsula. 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: Total Estimated Acquisition-related Cost (see Conservation Futures Manual for eligible costs): $409,200 Total Operation and Maintenance Cost: $11,000 Total Project Cost: $420,200 6 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer 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): At the time that the current lease by Jefferson County was initiated, the Washington State legislature compensated the Department of Natural Resources $985,000 for the fair-market lease value; the remaining value in the property at that time was $228,800. It has been over 12 years since that appraisal, and with rising real estate and timber costs, Jefferson Land Trust estimates the remaining value of the property may be $343,200. However, we will not know the definite value of the property until DNR conducts its own appraisal (a requirement of the TLT program). The project administration and acquisition-related costs are estimated based upon recent acquisition projects by Jefferson Land Trust. The O&M costs are based upon the annual average amount of Land Trust staff time spent stewarding the Quimper Trust Land Transfer properties, as well as funding for signage. Quimper Trust Land Transfer Conservation Futures Request Match (Community Fundraising by Land Trust) Total Property Acquisition $180,500 $162,700 $343,200 O&M (monitoring, signage) $5,500 $5,500 $11,000 Acquisition-related costs (appraisal, closing costs, management plan) $19,000 $30,000 $49,000 Project Administration (staff time, attorney costs) $0 $17,000 $17,000 Total $205,000 (48.8%) $215,200 (51.2%) $420,200 (100%) O & M only go to question #15: Scored Questions 1. To what degree does the project leverage contributions for acquisition from groups, agencies or individuals? 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. 7 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer 1 c. Matching Fund Estimate Acquisition O&M % Conservation Futures Funds Requested $199,500 $5,500 48.8% Matching Funds/Resources* $209,700 $5,500 51.2% Total Project Acquisition Cost $409,200 $11,000 100% * 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? Community Fundraising by $215,200 Yes No _________ Yes No ________ Jefferson Land Trust 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. To what degree does the project sponsor commit to provide long-term stewardship for the proposed project? 2 a. Sponsoring agency X is __is not prepared to provide long-term stewardship (easement monitoring, maintenance, up-keep, etc.) for the proposed project. 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. As described in the Project Description above, Jefferson Land Trust and Jefferson County entered into a Stewardship Agreement for the Quimper Trust Land Transfer properties when the lease was initiated in 2009. This Stewardship Agreement ensures that the Land Trust performs annual monitoring with documentation to the County, works with volunteers to undertake necessary stewardship activities such as noxious weed control, trash removal, and more, and consults with Jefferson County staff who may assist with activities. Jefferson Land Trust and the County plan to continue this relationship after the County secures ownership, but the Stewardship Agreement will need to be updated after the lease is terminated by the purchase. Some of the acquisition-related costs in this application will go toward the renewal of the Stewardship Agreement and development of a Management Plan collaboratively between Jefferson County and Jefferson Land Trust. 3. To what degree has the project sponsor demonstrated effective long-term stewardship of a similar project? As described above in question 2b, Jefferson Land Trust has been stewarding these 107 acres since 2009-- in collaboration with Jefferson County staff when their capacity allows. 3 a. Describe the sponsoring agency’s previous or on-going stewardship experience. 8 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer As an accredited Land Trust through the national Land Trust Alliance, Jefferson Land Trust has experience successfully managing and stewarding various types of preserves. Jefferson Land Trust conducts diligence and appropriate monitoring, stewardship, and management for all fee-simple properties that we own. This includes at least annual monitoring of the protected properties by professional staff and trained volunteers, and extensive data collection and management. We have a well-developed Preserve Steward program which provides an opportunity for long-term volunteerism through quarterly monitoring of all Land Trust preserves. We have utilized these same tools for stewarding the three Quimper Trust Land Transfer properties since 2009, and we plan to assist the County in this form of stewardship after its full acquisition. 3 b. Has the project sponsor and/or applicant 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: Jefferson Land Trust has been the successful applicant of many Conservation Futures Fund projects over the years, providing us many years of experience in working with County staff to successfully implement protection projects across multiple ecosystems of Jefferson County. These projects include: Sunfield Farm, 2003; Quimper Wildlife Corridor, 2004; East Tarboo Creek Conservation Project, 2005; Tamanowas Rock Phase 1, 2006; the Winona Buffer Project, 2006; Glendale Farm, 2007; Finnriver Farm, 2008; Quimper Wildlife Corridor, 2009; Brown Dairy, 2009; Salmon Creek Ruck 2010; Quimper Wildlife Corridor 2010; Tamanowas Rock 2010; Chimacum Creek Carleson 2011; Winona Basin - Bloedel 2011; L. Brown 2012; Boulton Farm 2012; Quimper Wildlife Corridor and Short Family Farm 2013; Quimper Wildlife Corridor and Snow Creek Irvin and Jenks, 2014; Midori Farm, 2015; QWC 2016 Addition, Tarboo Creek, Farm and Forest 2016; Serendipity Farm, Snow Creek Taylor and Tarboo Iglitzin 2017; Chimacum Forest, Marrowstone Mize, Snow Creek Mid-Reach Forest 2018; Tarboo Forest Addition 2019; Ruby Ranch 2018 & 2020; Quilcene Headwaters to Bay 2019 & 2020; Arlandia 2020; Quimper Wildlife Corridor Additions 2021; and Hannan Farm 2021. 4. To what degree is the acquisition feasible? 4 a. Property X can __cannot feasibly be acquired in a timely fashion with available resources. 4 b. Necessary commitments and agreements X are __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. The cost of the acquisition will be determined by the appraisal conducted by DNR in 2022. Per the terms of the existing lease, the State (DNR) must conduct the appraisal for the remaining value of the property. Jefferson Land Trust staff and County Commission Heidi Eisenhower have been working with DNR staff on initiating the appraisal; the appraiser for the project was chosen by DNR staff in March 2022 and is expected to be completed by autumn 2022. 5. To what degree is the project part of an adopted open space, conservation, or resource preservation program or plan, or identified in a community conservation effort? 9 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer 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 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, but is not specifically identified. Please describe below, and describe how the proposed acquisition is consistent with the plan. __is a stand-alone project. This project area is well-supported by many partners and conservation plans. The Land Trust, the City of Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Department of Natural Resources, the local Audubon and Native Plant Society Chapters, and US Fish & Wildlife have been partnering on the protection project of the Quimper Wildlife Corridor since the mid 1990’s. Both City and County Comprehensive Plans speak to the importance of habitat corridors and trail networks and recognize the value of the Quimper Wildlife Corridor (QWC). The Nature Conservancy’s 2015 Territorial Resistance evaluation shows the QWC has having beneficial 'medium to low resistance' to connectivity. The Land Use Vison in Jefferson County's 2018 Comprehensive Plan says, "Priorities protect open spaces, forests, and farmland for long-term management and conservation, while also embracing ideas that foster opportunities for increased synergy between natural and built environments." The Comp Plan's Open Space, Parks, and Recreation element supports the County's Land Use Vision "by promoting active recreation and networks of trails, bike lanes, and paths that support the economy and empower residents to make healthy choices." The County’s Comprehensive Plan policies include: • "Partner to establish and conserve a sustainable system of open space corridors • 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 • Preserve and protect significant environmental features including unique wetlands, open spaces, woodlands, shorelines • Promote open space network linkages throughout the county that connect Urban Areas, Rural Centers, schools, parks, or recreation sites, and supports tourism by bicycle, horse, or foot." The Habitat chapter of the Land Trust's Conservation Plan (2008) identifies four 'priority places', one of which is wildlife corridors. In that Plan, a 'habitat public awareness conservation action' is to involve the community and connect them directly with wildlife habitat, and a 'habitat climate change conservation action' is to implement critical wildlife corridor campaigns. Additionally, a Habitat Climate Change Action in the Land Trust's 2020-2024 Strategic Plan is to "Develop and implement critical wildlife corridor conservation campaigns throughout the County", and within this Action, is the Objective "Protect corridors of habitat that facilitate wildlife movement and plant regeneration", followed by the Outcome of protecting additional priority properties within the sensitive Quimper Wildlife Corridor. 6. To what degree does the project conserve opportunities which are otherwise lost or threatened? 6 a. The proposed acquisition site X does __does not provide a conservation or preservation opportunity which would otherwise be lost or threatened. The Quimper Trust Land Transfer properties are only temporarily protected under lease by the County; the best way to ensure that these 107 acres will be protected for habitat, open space, and recreation is to transfer the properties completely into County ownership. Otherwise, the properties will be available for 10 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer usual DNR forestry management once the lease expires, or potentially sold to private landowners or developers if DNR decides to divest the properties in the future. 6 b. If applicable, please carefully describe the nature and immediacy of the opportunity or threat, and any unique qualities about the site. The timeline and project management for this protection project is quite complex since it involves several stakeholders. The fact that Jefferson Land Trust is close to securing the total funding needed for County acquisition, that County staff and commissioners are prepared to take on the properties, and that the current DNR Board is interested in transferring their TLT-leased lands makes this timeline for acquisition in 2022-2023 a priority. Jefferson Land Trust has been made aware that at different times, other DNR Boards may not be in favor of transferring their leased properties—therefore we need to act now while we have willing landowners. 7. Are the conservation values of the project commensurate with or greater than the amount of CF funds requested? Yes, Jefferson Land Trust is proposing to cover 51% of the total project cost for this property that will be owned by Jefferson County, therefore providing a great value to the County. 7 a. Summarize the project’s conservation values and how the CF funds requested support these values. The Quimper Trust Land Transfer properties provide strong conservation values of mature, diverse forest, open space, and recreational value (pedestrian, bicycle, and horse-back). 8. To what degree does the project preserve habitat for flora and fauna other than habitat for anadromous fish species? 8 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). Baby Quimper buffers a Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland (PHS Listed) directly to the northeast. Golden eagles are seen in QWC (PHS candidate), as well as Vaux’s swift seen in QWC (listed in PHS). 8 b. X provides habitat for a variety of native flora or fauna species. The diverse and maturing forested features are home to a diversity of flora and fauna species, including mammals such as mountain beaver, cougar, coyote, and historic elk. The plant list is extensive but includes serviceberry, deer fern, salmonberry, red flowering currant, Indian pipe, ocean spray, black gooseberry and many others. 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 The Quimper TLT properties are part of the larger Quimper Wildlife Corridor, which is a 3.5-mile long greenbelt of native vegetation spanning unincorporated Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend. The Quimper Wildlife Corridor’s broad swath of connected forests, meadows, and wetlands are home to hundreds of species of plants, trees, animals, and birds — some seasonal and some that are year-round 11 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer residents. Using the corridor, a variety of wildlife can migrate from Fort Worden State Park to McCurdy Point along Discovery Bay, and then venture on to the larger forested areas of the Quimper Peninsula. The whole QWC covers a 100-year floodplain and includes a large natural drainage basin that filters urban stormwater, protecting water quality in our aquifers and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca where 70 percent of Puget Sound’s seabird populations nest on nearby Protection Island, including listed Harlequin ducks, and endangered Tufted puffins. While not directly providing habitat for the above listed Harlequins and puffins, the Quimper TLT properties contribute to the preservation of intact habitat buffering these flyways. 8 d. Does the current owner participate in conservation programs that enhance wildlife habitat? If so, please provide details. The current owner, WA Department of Natural Resources, is not participating in any conservation programs while the properties are leased to Jefferson County. 9. To what degree does the project protect habitat for anadromous fish species? 9 a. 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. These properties do not include marine shorelines, streams, or rivers. 10. To what degree does the project preserve farmland for agricultural use OR forestland for silvicultural use? 10 a. Describe the extent and nature of current and planned agricultural or silviculture use of the proposed acquisition, including any anticipated changes to that use once the property, or property right, is acquired with Conservation Futures funds. Jefferson County has not finalized its decisions about how the properties will be managed after acquisition. However, the DNR Trust Land Transfer program requires that deeds be recorded at the time of transfer that will restrict how the properties can be managed. The properties can only be transferred to governmental entities for the purposes of habitat, open space, and recreation. Under these terms, agricultural uses will be prohibited and sivicultural activites will be restricted. Jefferson County will be able to manage the properties using ecological forestry tools to enhance the habitat values and health of the forested properties—which may result in revenue from the harvest—but forest harvest cannot happen with the primary purpose being revenue generation. 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. The current landowner’s primary purpose in owning these properties has been to fulfill the legal obligation to generate revenue for their designated beneficiaries such as schools. DNR follows Washington State’s Forest Practice Rules which aim to balance commercial revenue and protection of water and soil. 10 c. Describe how the acquisition or proposed easement will likely preserve and/or enhance soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat. The County has been working with Malloree Weinheimer of Chickadee Forestry for several years about implementing a forest management plan across all County-owned forestland; County staff currently believes that the Quimper Trust Land Transfer parcels would be managed with a similar focus of improving forest health. 12 2022 CF Application – Quimper Trust Land Transfer 10 d. Does this project preserve a mix of quality farmland and forestland? These properties are not eligible to be farmland, and they will remain as protected forestland after the transfer of ownership to Jefferson County. 11. Climate change: 11 a. To what degree does this project increase resiliency to and/or mitigate climate change? The vision of the Quimper Wildlife Corridor project is to protect a continuous corridor within and adjacent to increasing urban area of Port Townsend and reducing habitat fragmentation. Anticipated climate change will continue to increase Olympic Peninsula forest’s susceptibility to wildfire and diseases, but ecological forest management such as what is being implemented on County-owned properties with Chickadee Forestry can increase climate resiliency. More specifically, the forest will contribute to resiliency by aiding in water retention and percolation to recharge groundwater. The diverse habitat features and connectivity conservation values here can be expected to continue as the climate changes. Carbon storage in the forest helps offset climate impacts of human development and lifestyles. Recreational and educational conservation values will also remain even with anticipated climate change. 12. What area does the project serve? 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 project benefits a broad county area because Quimper West provides recreational opportunities open to the public. Additionally, the multiple jurisdictions involved in the protection of the Quimper Wildlife Corridor (County, City, State, non-profits) demonstrate the broad support that the protection of these forests and wetlands have. 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. No. 13. To what degree will the acquisition provide educational opportunities, interpretive opportunities, and/or serve as a general community resource? 13 a. 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 Quimper West has already been developed as providing public access through pedestrian trail access and the installation of informative and interpretive kiosks. The kiosks were developed nearly a dozen years ago and in 2022 Jefferson Land Trust is already in the process of replacing the signage kiosks to provide more up-to-date information to community members and visitors about the flora and fauna species on site, conservation work to-date, and the history around the multi-stakeholder effort to protect these properties. Jefferson Land Trust is regularly approached by educational groups such as CedarRoot Folk School, public school districts, Natural History Society, and geology groups for access to conserved lands to conduct their mission-oriented educational programming. The Quimper Trust Land Transfer properties could be appropriate for such educational uses and would need to be solidified in an updated management plan with Jefferson County after its acquisition. 2 The words “education” and “interpretation” are interpreted broadly by the CF Committee. Cook AvCook Ave.Hastings Av Map created in March 2022 0 2,800 5,6001,400 FeetQuimper Trust Land TransferSite Location ´ Quimper Trust Land Transfer Jefferson Land Trust Properties Other Conservation Lands 100-Year Floodplain Port Townsend City Limits For informational purposes only. Alldata represented are from varyingsources and approximate. 2019 Aerial Image (NAIP) Fort Worden State Park Cook Ave.Map created in March 2022 0 750 1,500375FeetQuimper Trust Land TransferProject Properties ´ Quimper Trust Land Transfer Jefferson Land Trust Properties Other Conservation Lands Parcels For informational purposes only. Alldata represented are from varyingsources and approximate. 2019 Aerial Image (NAIP) Quimper West Quimper East Baby Quimper N.JacobMillerRd Quimper Trust Land Transfer Application Photos Quimper West mature conifer forest and trail Quimper West mature conifer forest and trail Baby Quimper – western red cedar with pileated woodpecker holes Quimper East- current conditions of Douglas fir and salal understory Quimper East- wet forest conditions on east side of property Quimper East- current conditions of Douglas fir and Madrone with salal understory