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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRAFT JC CFCOC Presentation Meeting First Draft Summary April 4 2023 v.2Page 1 | 5 http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us * Decisions and action items are indicated in bold font. Members Present: Mary Biskup, District 1; Guy Dobyns, Vice Chair, District 3; Rob Harbour, Interest – Working Lands; Richard Jahnke, Interest – Coastal Areas; Cameron Jones, Interest – Equity; Kalyn Marab, District 3; E. Ryan McMackin, Interest – Wetlands; Joanne Pontrello, District 2; Jessica Randall, Interest – Ecosystem Services; Ron Rempel, Interest – Wildlife Conservation Biology; Craig Schrader, Interest – Climate Change; Dave Wilkinson, District 1 Members Absent: Stephen Dowdell, District 2 (appointment pending) County Staff Present: Tami Pokorny, Environmental Public Health Others Present: Rebekah Brooks, Recorder (Rebekah Brooks Contracting); Sarah Spaeth (Jefferson Land Trust [JLT]); Blaise Sullivan (JLT) I. Call to Order Vice Chair Guy Dobyns called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM. II. Welcome and Introductions III. Approval of Minutes The group reviewed the minutes from the 12/6/22 JC CFCOC Meeting. Dave Wilkinson corrected a typo on page two, changing the word “discussed” to “discussion.” Richard Jahnke moved to approve the minutes with that correction; Mary Biskup seconded. The motion passed with all in favor. IV. Public Comments None V. Old Business None Conservation Futures Citizen Oversight Committee (CFCOC) Presentation Meeting: Hybrid between Jefferson County Public Port of Port Townsend Pavilion Room and Zoom Connection April 4, 2023 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Draft Summary Page 2 | 5 VI. Sub-committee Reports None VI. New Business A. Election of New Officer The group discussed the position of Chair and what it involves. Cameron Jones volunteered to serve as Chair; there were no objections. Rob Harbour volunteered to serve as Vice Chair; there were no objections. The new officers will begin their positions at the next meeting. B. Quimper Trust Land Transfer Acquisition Update Sarah Spaeth gave an update on the two Quimper Wildlife Corridor properties that were approved for JCCF funds during the last funding round. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has completed the appraisal of the combined 107 acres, and the JLT and County have agreed to move forward with the appraised value. The County Commissioners signed their agreement, and the final approval for the full transfer is in DNR’s hands now. The transfer is scheduled to take place in July. A third property had also been considered but was found to be underestimated by about $2 million due to its shoreline value. For now, it will remain in DNR’s ownership under the conditions of the 50-year lease held by the County. C. Project Presentations: a. Lower Chimacum Creek Mainstem: Sarah Spaeth presented on this unique opportunity to add to acquisitions in the Chimacum watershed. The property is adjacent to other lands protected by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and JLT easements and preserves. The Land Trust has also applied for Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) funds for 76% of the project costs. The request to the JCCF is for 24% of the estimated project needs and is focused on the property acquisition and some operations and management costs. Sarah described the long-term stewardship commitment of the JLT: the Land Trust holds easements on almost every watershed in Jefferson County, has stewarded properties in this area since 2000, and has five stewardship staff to care for 800 acres of Nature Preserves. With over 150 protected acres in the lower two miles of Chimacum Creek, they are experienced landowners in this watershed. In terms of feasibility, all landowners have signed agreements and the project has been vetted by the State salmon experts and analysis through the SRFB process. The project is also part of adopted preservation plans from the Hood Canal Coordinating Council Page 3 | 5 and WDFW. Time is of the essence for management and restoration of this property, as it has current willing landowners but is listed for sale on Craig’s List, has had a lot of neighborhood use and encroachment, and has an eroding bluff above the river where a manufactured home was removed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Conservation values that would be protected through this acquisition are critical as it is right above summer chum and winter steelhead spawning grounds and provides shade for habitat; they include instream habitat, riparian buffers, open space and opportunity for restoration. The Committee asked about plans for restoration, which involve planting and invasive weed management, restoring the eroded slope, and installing fencing to protect the property from misuse. The land is a wildlife corridor for beaver, otter, bear, and salmonid species. The deed restriction limits the land use for habitat, open space, and recreation, so there are no plans for any timber harvest. Regarding climate change resiliency, the old forest structure in the riparian habitat provides resilience, and the habitat corridor in an urban growth area offers permanent continuity for wildlife movement while adapting to climate change. The project is part of a much larger effort to benefit the community, region, and salmonid species, and builds on an integrated watershed approach. While this property would remain closed to public access to maintain restoration efforts, there are adjacent areas that are open to the public. b. North Barry: Blaise Sullivan presented on the North Barry Snow Creek fee simple property acquisition, which would protect 20 acres and 1300 feet of Snow Creek about two and a half miles upstream from the Snow and Salmon Creek estuary. Snow Creek is a shared watershed with Salmon Creek. The focus of the acquisition is to protect habitat for endangered summer chum, threatened winter steelhead, and adult coho. The JLT and partners have acquired close to 180 acres in the Snow and Salmon Creek watershed since 2000, which are maintained for long-term stewardship by the Land Trust. The eastern side of the property was used formerly for agricultural purposes, but noxious weeds have taken hold since the land has been fallow. While the JCCF funds will be used for 47% of the acquisition costs and some of the operations and management costs, long-term stewardship involves implementation of instream and riparian buffer restoration, including invasive plant management. Insurance and accreditation ensure that the JLT can maintain the property in perpetuity. If the property is acquired, the Land Trust will undertake surveys for cultural resources and designs for restored conditions for anadromous fish. This a specific and timely opportunity, as the landowners reached out to the JLT last fall about permanently protecting the property and are only interested in selling to a stewardship agency. The Snow and Salmon Creek watershed is also identified by the Hood Canal Coordinating Page 4 | 5 Council as a priority for protection and restoration. Commercial forest land surrounds the parcel, making its protection important for buffering Snow Creek, regenerating forest slopes, and contributing to a greater wildlife habitat corridor. Concerning climate change resiliency, the area has been identified as resilient for habitat and biodiversity and as a wildlife corridor that is important for species movement. The acquisition would not be open to public access as it is accessible only through private property, but Tribal access for cultural resources purposes is facilitated on all Land Trust properties. It is also part of a larger watershed effort to provide clean water for the community and the Snow and Salmon Creek estuary. c. Schmidt Farm: Sarah Spaeth presented on Schmidt Farm, which is Phase 2 of the Quilcene Headwaters to Bay project that the JLT has been working on since 2019. The JCCF approved funding for Phase 1 in the 2019 funding round and was supportive of Phase 2 when the Land Trust applied for funding in the 2021 funding round, but there were not enough funds for it at that time. Now, the Land Trust is applying for a conservation easement at a reduced amount for the 60-acre farm. The main goals are to prevent future subdivisions, support preservation of prime agricultural soils, and provide opportunities for future restoration along Jakeway Creek. The farm is connected to other preserved areas and includes about 2000 feet of Jakeway Creek. The JCCF request is for 10% of the project cost and is focused on the acquisition of the easement. In terms of feasibility, the project ranked fourth in the State by the State Farmland Preservation program, and the landowner urgently wants to protect the property with a conservation easement before selling. The easement would also provide opportunities for future farmers in the face of rising property values that are threatening viable farmland. Conservation values protected by the easement include the prime farmland soil, contribution to a continuous habitat corridor and open space, and protection of the riparian buffer along Jakeway Creek. The easement is being designed to allow for future restoration of the Creek for salmonid habitat in subsequent project phases. The farm has agricultural infrastructure, including a haybarn, silo, shop, and additional fenced land, and has been used for cattle grazing, and growing hay and grain. The property contributes to climate change resiliency by providing permanent habitat continuity for species movement through connected protected lands, retaining water and minimizing impervious surfaces. It is a key piece of the Quilcene Bay area, builds on upstream and downstream protection, and helps with water quality for Quilcene Bay, a critical estuary for shellfish and forage fish. The conservation easement reserves the right for the JLT to use the property for education and outreach purposes. The location is also referenced on historic maps as a Page 5 | 5 site of a S’Klallam Tribe village; Tribal access to flora and fauna would be facilitated. Discussion followed on future restoration possibilities, which would be provided for but not mandated. VII. Annual Reports for 2022 This item was skipped due to lack of time. VIII. Announcements/Administrative A. Staff Update Tami Pokorny reminded the group that questions are due to the project sponsors by the end of the week. Contact Tami with any questions regarding the scoresheet or appearance of fairness forms. B. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for 4/25/23 at the Chimacum Fire Hall. IX. Public Comments None X. Adjournment Vice Chair Guy Dobbins adjourned the meeting at 5:06 PM. Meeting summary prepared by Rebekah Brooks.