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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 CFF Application NWI Upper Yarr Creek Mar 21 2025 1 2025 CFF Program Application 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 (360) 379-4498 or tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us with questions. Background and Eligibility Information 1. Project Title: Upper Yarr Creek Protection 2. Conservation Futures Acquisition Request: $26,000 Conservation Futures O&M Request: $0 3. Total Conservation Futures Request: $26,000 4. Please indicate the type of interest contemplated in the acquisition process. X Warranty Deed OR 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) 821-9566, ext. ____ _____________________________________________ Fax: ____ 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 February 25, 2025 2025 Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund Program Property Acquisition Project and/or Operations and Maintenance Project Application 2 2025 CFF Program Application 7. Project Location Street Address or Description of Location: 12 Old Tarboo Road, Quilcene Driving Directions from Port Townsend: South on Center Road, left at Old Tarboo Road and park Section: 29 Township: 28 N Range: 1 W Assessor’s Parcel Number(s): 801-293-003 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. 801-293-003 = $34,125 8. Existing Conditions New Site: Yes No __________________________ Number of Parcels: 1 Addition to Existing Site: Yes No ______________ Acres to Be Acquired: 1.03 Total Project Acreage (if different):______________ Current Zoning: 1 per 5 Existing Structures/Facilities: No Any current covenants, easements or restrictions on land use: No Current Use: Vacant land Waterfront (name of body of water): Yarr Creek, tributary to Tarboo Creek Shoreline (linear feet): NA 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, and why you think preserving this property is important. Name three top objectives for the property (other than those related to funding). Include information about the physical characteristics of the site that is proposed for acquisition with Conservation Futures Fund 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. Background, goals, and objectives 3 2025 CFF Program Application 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 permanently protect a one acre parcel of critical stream and riparian habitat along Upper Yarr Creek. NWI purchased the property in 2023 to prevent development that would have impacted water quality, wildlife habitat, and downstream salmon habitat in Yarr Creek and Tarboo Creek. The Jefferson County Conservation Futures Manual does not appear to prevent a conservation organization from securing reimbursement toward a property purchased prior to the grant agreement being in place. The manual does require that a Statutory Warranty Deed (SWD) be placed on the property that includes a paragraph of specific deed restriction language required by the county. Since this property was purchased by NWI in 2023, NWI is requesting county approval for reimbursement toward the fee simple appraised value of the property through one of two methods: 1) after the Conservation Futures grant agreement is in place, NWI re-records the Statutory Warranty Deed and includes the county’s required language (see Supplemental information for example of the re-record of deed restriction), or 2) prior to signing a Conservation Futures grant agreement, NWI sells the property to an interim private buyer, then after the grant agreement is place, NWI purchases the property back and records a new SWD with the addition of the county’s deed restrictions. Proposed uses The Property will be owned and stewarded by NWI as a unit of the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve. The property will serve as one of the places NWI brings students and other groups for field tours and educational trips to learn about the Tarboo watershed and stream habitats. Critical dates and urgency To afford permanent protection and stewardship of the property, NWI needs to secure at least partial reimbursement for the purchase made in 2023. The property has no deed restriction on it at present and NWI may need to sell the property in the future without funding to help fund the purchase and long term stewardship. 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 Fund 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. 4 2025 CFF Program Application Estimated or Appraised Value of Propert(ies) to be Acquired: $40,000 Total Estimated Acquisition-related Cost (see Conservation Futures Manual for eligible costs): $8,600 Total Operation and Maintenance Cost: $3,400 Total Project Cost: $52,000 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 fee simple fair market value is based on a sale of property to NWI in 2023 for $37,000 and some increase since then. Scored Questions 1. To what degree does the project leverage contributions for acquisition from groups, agencies or individuals? Sponsors or other organizations are required to contribute to acquisition of the proposed site and/or operation and maintenance activities. 1 a. Please describe below how contributions from groups or agencies will reduce the need to use Conservation Futures Fund program funds. Describe 1 b. Matching Fund Estimate Acquisition O&M % Conservation Futures Funds Requested $26,000 $0 50% Matching Funds/Resources* $22,600 $3,400 50% Total Project Acquisition Cost $48,600 $3,400 100% JCCF Request Match to JCCF Total Cost Timeline Acquistion NWI Upper Yarr Ck property 20,000 20,000 40,000 Aug-25 Acquisition Related Costs:Aug-25 Deed recording/legal/closing costs 1,000 1,000 Appraisal 5,000 5,000 Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Stewardship Plan 3,400 3,400 Sep-25 Project management and administration 2,600 2,600 Mar-25-Sept 25 Total Project Costs 26,000 26,000 52,000 Percent match to JCCF 50% 5 2025 CFF Program Application * 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 c. Source of matching Amount of Contribution If not, Contribution If not, funds/resources contribution approved? when? available now? when? NWI land match $20,000 Yes No 2025 Yes No 2025 NWI labor donation $6,000 Yes No 2025 Yes No 2025 NOTE: Fifty-percent (50%) matching funds are required, and a higher rating will be assigned to those projects that guarantee additional resources for acquisition. Donation of property or a property right can 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 has the project sponsor identified the long-term stewardship issues for the proposed project? 2 a. Identify any factors, threats, or stressors that could negatively affect the conservation values and/or community benefits for which the property would be conserved. No major stewardship issues. Property boundaries have been surveyed and marked. Adjoining property on two sides is permanently protected for forestry under conservation easement by Leopold-Freeman Forests. 2 b. Describe the management strategies that the stewardship plan will include to address the identified factors, threats, or stressors, including any actions planned to make these negative outcomes or impacts less likely. Stewardship plan will the following management strategies: baseline assessment and restoration and stewardship plan to include: debris cleanup, annual monitoring for weed control and encroachment issues, road decommission and revegetation, potential selective thinning (non- commercial), and tree planting as needed to help restore older forest habitat and species and structural diversity. 2 c. Describe any existing water rights, and current uses of water. Identify any conservation values currently being protected that are dependent on these sources of water. No water rights and no use of water on the property. 3. To what degree has the project sponsor demonstrated effective long-term stewardship of a similar project? 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 over 20 years. NWI employs 6 2025 CFF Program Application conservation biologists and professional restoration field crew and has extensive experience stewarding and managing the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve and private and state conservation properties using professional staff, experienced field crew, contractors, and volunteers. 3 b. Has the project sponsor and/or applicant been involved in other projects previously approved for Conservation Futures Fund funding? _____No, neither the sponsor nor applicant has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures Fund funds. X Yes, the sponsor and/or applicant for this project has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures Fund funds. Please provide details: Yes. NWI has been involved in eleven previous successful Conservation Futures funded projects in the Tarboo watershed including nine conservation easement projects proposed jointly by NWI and JLT and two fee simple projects. NWI is now completing the West Slope Forest acquisition funded in 2024. 4. To what degree is the project a part of an adopted open space, conservation, or resource preservation program or plan that was open to public review and comment, or identified in a community conservation effort that provided opportunities for public input? The proposed acquisition: X is specifically identified in an adopted open space, conservation, or resource preservation program or plan, or community conservation effort, that provided opportunities for public review and comment. 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 that was open to public review, but is not specifically identified. Please describe below, and describe how the proposed acquisition is consistent with the plan. __is a stand-alone project, or part of a project that was not open to public review. Jefferson Land Trust’s Jefferson County Conservation Plan (2010) generally identifies the Property as within a priority forest conservation area. https://www.saveland.org/wp- content/uploads/2016/06/2010_JLT_ConservationPlan_LoRes.pdf More specifically, the Property is within two mapped priority areas of the Tarboo Creek/Dabob Bay Implementation Strategy, a Sub-Plan of JLT’s Jefferson County Conservation Plan (2010). Those priority areas are: 1) the priority habitat stream corridor area and 2) the priority forests area. The Property is a top priority in Northwest Watershed Institute’s Tarboo Watershed Conservation Strategy to protect and restore the stream and wildlife corridor of Tarboo Creek (Objective 1) and also fits within the Forestland protection objective (objective 3) http://www.nwwatershed.org/tarboo-watershed-conservation-strategy.html 7 2025 CFF Program Application The proposed properties are within a large 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. 5. To what degree does the project conserve opportunities which are otherwise lost or threatened? 5 a. The proposed acquisition site X does __does not provide a conservation or preservation opportunity which would otherwise be lost or threatened. 5 b. If applicable, please carefully describe the nature and immediacy of the threat, and any unique qualities about the site. NWI purchased the property in 2023 in a bidding war with another potential buyer who wanted to move onto the property with a trailer and storage containers that would likely have caused severe impacts to Yarr Creek, its riparian habitat, and downstream habitat on Tarboo Creek and NWI’s Tarboo Wildlife Preserve. The property is comprised mostly of critical habitat of Yarr Creek, its riparian forest and associated steep slope ravines. If NWI cannot secure funding to protect the property under county deed restriction and help fund long term stewardship, NWI may need to sell the parcel and it could be heavily impacted by inappropriate residential development. 6. Are the conservation values of the project commensurate with or greater than the amount of CFF funds requested, and will both the timeframes for meeting project objectives and associated metrics demonstrate achievement of the conservation objectives? 6 a. Summarize the project’s conservation values and how the CFF funds requested support these values. The project’s conservation values are extremely high relative to CF funds requested because the project is low cost and most of the acreage represents critical stream and riparian habitat. Upper Yarr Creek flows into Tarboo Creek on the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve, so protection of this small critical parcel helps secure water quality and important salmon habitat downstream. The property also adjoins permanently conserved forestlands on two sides, so protection of this parcel will help long term wildlife connectivity of the larger area. 6 b. Summarize how the project’s conservation values are related to the project’s specific objectives. The project’s conservation values of stream, salmon habitat, and water quality, as well as wildlife habitat and connectivity are directly served by NWI’s objective to fully and permanently protect the parcel as a unit of the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve. 7. To what degree does the project preserve habitat for flora and fauna other than habitat for anadromous fish species? 7 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). 8 2025 CFF Program Application 7 b. X provides habitat for native flora and fauna. Identify the documented habitat(s) and native flora or fauna species that will be protected by the project. 7 c. X contributes to a wildlife corridor or migration route identified by Washington Connectivity Working Group or other peer-reviewed source. . 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 Tarboo Creek tributaries Priority Riparian Habitat Western toad (nearby) State Candidate and Federal Species of Concern Pileated woodpecker (on site) State Candidate Documented observations by Peter Bahls, NWI Listed Species benefited downstream in lower Yarr Creek and Tarboo Creek: Puget Sound steelhead (likely) State Candidate and Federal Threatened Hood Canal coho salmon (Yarr Ck) Federal Species of Concern Western Brook lamprey (likely) Federal Species of Concern Documented in WDFW fish distribution mapping and NWI survey data Listed Species benefited downstream in Tarboo-Dabob Bay (documented rearing habitat) Hood Canal summer chum salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened Documented in NWI’s nearshore fish survey report - http://www.nwwatershed.org/uploads/pdf/tarbooFishSurvey.pdf Provides habitat for a variety of native flora and fauna The project will protect stream, riparian and forest habitats that support a high diversity of at-risk fish, bird, amphibian, and mammal species that occur in Pacific Northwest forests, including western toad, amphibians, bats, bear, cougar, blacktail deer, and neo-tropical migratory birds. The property comprises stream and riparian habitat along the Yarr Creek ravine, especially important for birds and other wildlife. Wildlife corridor The property is a small but critical piece of a long-term effort to protect a significant wildlife corridor from the Tarboo valley to the uplands along Yarr Creek and also directly connects with large protected forestlands. For example, during the Conservation Futures field tour, a radio collared cougar named Yenewes was on a kill site on lower Yarr Creek about ¼ mile away. She has a den with three cubs on the other side of Center Road and is frequently tracked in this area (Matt Mahan, Panthera project). 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 9 2025 CFF Program Application 8. To what degree does the project protect habitat for anadromous fish species? 8. 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. Upper Yarr Creek is listed in DNR’s stream type mapping as fish bearing, and cutthroat may occur. Lower Yarr Creek, about one-quarter mile downstream, has documented use as spawning habitat by coho salmon and coastal cutthroat trout (per NWI spawning surveys since 2002). The project will protect downstream water quality for salmon in Yarr Creek and Tarboo Creek, as well as helping protect water quality of Dabob Bay, used by juvenile rearing salmon. Listed Species benefited in adjacent downstream Yarr Creek and Tarboo Creek: Puget Sound steelhead (historic) 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) Hood Canal summer chum salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon State Candidate and Federal Threatened 9. To what degree does the project preserve farmland for agricultural use OR preserve forestland for forest management? 9 a. Describe the extent and nature of current and planned agricultural use or forest management activities of the proposed acquisition, including any anticipated changes to that use once the property, or property right, is acquired with Conservation Futures funds. Forest management (non-commercial) will be conducted for restoration purposes, such as weed control, hand selective thinning of young alder, planting of native tree species to restore older forest habitat. These activities will be detailed in the proposed Stewardship Plan. 9 b. Describe how the acquisition or proposed easement will likely preserve and/or enhance soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat. Complete protection of the parcel will allow for full preservation and restoration of soils, water quality, and other watershed functions over time. 9 c. Does this project preserve a mix of quality farmland and forestland? This specific project involves forestland and habitat protection and does not include agriculture. However, if the definition of agriculture is broadened to include native food foraging, the Property has potential for gathering of black truffles and other edible mushrooms and deer hunting. In addition, although this property does not include agricultural lands, within the context of the large conservation effort for the Tarboo-Dabob Bay watershed, NWI, JLT, and partners are preserving a mix of agricultural lands, forestlands, wetlands, and wildlife habitats. 10 2025 CFF Program Application 10. To what degree does this project increase resiliency to and mitigation of climate change, and is the project’s scale significant in regards to increasing climate resiliency? 10. Describe how this project will increase resiliency to and mitigation of climate change. Is the project’s scale significant in regards to increasing climate resiliency? This project will increase habitat and wildlife resilience to climate extremes of winter flooding and summer high temperatures by: 1) protecting riparian vegetation and their undisturbed steep slopes that are vulnerable to increased erosion and sediment impacts to stream habitats during winter flooding, and 2) protecting riparian forests and their ability to provide shade that will help reduce summer stream temperatures and impacts to fish. 11. What area does the project serve? 11 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. Although the project acreage is small, it benefits a broad county area because it is a key part of a conservation project that extends from the headwaters of Tarboo Creek to the state’s Dabob Bay Natural Area to protect and restore habitats and wildlife connectivity on a landscape scale. In particular, the project proposes protection of a critical section of Yarr Creek, where, if developed, there would likely be outsized impacts on downstream salmon habitat, adjoining protected habitats of the Leopold-Freeman Forest and the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve, and potentially the water quality of Dabob Bay, regionally important for shellfish production and public recreation. 11 b. Is the project located in an area that is under-represented by CFF funded Projects? Areas that Conservation Futures has not been able to support to date include, Toandos Peninsula, Dosewallips Valley, Bolton Peninsula, and the West End. No. 12. To what degree is the applicant committing to providing educational opportunities, interpretive opportunities, and/or serve as a general community resource that does not reduce the conservation value(s) of the project? 12. Describe the educational or interpretive opportunities that the applicant will provide for 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 that will not reduce the conservation value(s) of the project.2 Provide the time frames when each of the above will be implemented. The Property is easily accessible from Center Road and NWI plans to use it as site for supervised field trips of the Tarboo watershed for NWI’s education programs for students and community members. As described in the letter from the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, the Property will also serve an important place for the Tribes to pass on traditions of sustainable gathering of forest plants used for cultural purposes and ceremonies. 2 The words “education” and “interpretation” are interpreted broadly by the CFF Committee. 11 2025 CFF Program Application The Property is also available for public access by prior permission, including deer hunting, berry picking, and mushroom picking, three important recreational uses in rural areas 13. To what degree does the project preserve historic or culturally significant resources3? 13. The proposed acquisition __ includes historic or culturally significant resources4 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. __ none of the above. If affirmative in any of the above, please describe below, and cite or provide documentation of the historical cultural resources. Please see letter from Laura Price, Cultural Resources Director for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, that attests to the importance of this Property for preserving and restoring cultural resources. 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 forest is easily accessible and will 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. Standalone O & M Projects 14. Applications for standalone Operation and Maintenance funding to be scored on a scale of 1- 100 based on information provided. Consider the CFF Manual and the topics below, for example: 14. Please describe in detail, the reason O & M funds are needed, proposed O & M activities, and how they protect resources cited in the original acquisition project. Attach additional information such as up-to-date stewardship plan, maps, field reports, work plan, budget, timeline, etc., to support the application, if appropriate. O & M projects must address a compelling, immediate need. Specifically include whether the project has an up- to-date stewardship plan. If there is such a plan, is it being implemented and is the proposed O & M work specifically included in the plan? Also, describe any unforeseen or urgent threats to the resource conservation 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.