HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter to RCO re Dabob Bay JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Heidi Eisenhour, Commissioner,District 2
DATE: April 22,2024
SUBJECT: Letter of Support: Washington State Department of Natural Resources(DNR)Recreation
and Conservation Office(RCO)Grant Application to Acquire 19 Acres in the Dabob Bay
Natural Area
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
DNR has submitted RCO Grant Application#24-1548A in which they propose to acquire 19 acres
of shoreline and mature upper forest property located within the Dabob Bay Natural Area for
conservation purposes. The attached letter supports DNR's application as it is consistent with
Jefferson County's conservation priorities.
ANALYSIS:
The Dabob Bay Natural Area is located in Jefferson County, within the Hood Canal region of
Puget Sound. This project adds 0.15 acres of riparian land, including 96 feet of shoreline, 2.55
acres of natural feeder bluff, including 792 feet of shoreline, and 16.25 acres of developable
uplands to the Dabob Bay Natural Area. Two of the three priority properties are adjacent to
existing DNR-owned parcels that are managed for conservation in perpetuity. The third priority
property is adjacent to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife's 150-acre North Olympic
Wildlife Area—Tarboo Unit, which is also managed for conservation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Board approve and sign the letter of support.
REVIEWED BY:
Mark McCaule , ounty Administrator [)at
0 co ss Board of County Commissioners
ON
1820 Jefferson Street
PO Box 1220
Port Townsend WA 98368
�qS `L` Kate Dean,District 1 Heidi Eisenhour,District 2 Greg Brotherton,District 3
III NCr
April 22, 2024
Recreation and Conservation Office
PO Box 40917
Olympia, WA 98504-0917
Dear Recreation and Conservation colleagues,
We are writing in support of RCO Grant Application#24-1548A in which Department of Natural
Resources(DNR)proposes to acquire 19 acres of shoreline and mature upper forest property located
within the Dabob Bay Natural Area.
The Dabob Bay Natural Area is located in Jefferson County,within the Hood Canal region of Puget
Sound. This project adds 0.15 acres of riparian land, including 96 feet of shoreline, 2.55 acres of
natural feeder bluff, including 792 feet of shoreline, and 16.25 acres of developable uplands to the
Dabob Bay Natural Area. Two of the three priority properties are adjacent to existing DNR-owned
parcels that are managed for conservation in perpetuity. The third priority property is adjacent to the
Washington Department of Fish& Wildlife's 150-acre North Olympic Wildlife Area—Tarboo Unit,
which is also managed for conservation.
Hundreds of members of our community have been supportive of conservation in the Dabob Bay
area for decades. By acquiring these priority properties, DNR will further strengthen the long-term
protection of the Dabob Bay Natural Area, support future education and research opportunities, and
provide potential opportunities for appropriate low-impact public use in Jefferson County.
We appreciate your work on these additions.
Sincerely,
Kate Dean, Chair, Dist. No. 1 Heidi Eisenhour, Dist. No. 2 Greg Brotherton. Dist. No. 3
Phone(360) 385-9100 jeffbocc@coJefferson.wa.us