Kristoferson Farm and Forest Conservation Easement Island County - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Kristoferson Farm and Forest Conservation Easement Island County Conservation Futures May 2020 www.wclt.org | 360.222.3310

Land Trust Overview • Non-profit conservation organization • Founded 1984 • Donor supported operations • Non-regulatory and non-partisan • Willing landowners • Nationally accredited 2

Land Protection and Resource Stewardship Number of Properties Land Trust Protection Project Types: Conservation Easements = 66 Number of Acres Facilitated Projects = 28 Fee Title Ownership = 20 3

Intro: Project Location 4

Intro: Project Vicinity Watershed Map Land Protection Map 5

Intro: Project Parcel 6

Intro: Project Background 7

Intro: Project Goal & Objectives  Preserve high-quality farmland soils in perpetuity  Preserve viable working forestland in perpetuity  Preserve scenic and open space resources  Provide economic opportunities  Educate the public on the benefits of conservation 8

Intro: Project Budget Project Funding Sources  CFF Grant Proposal $300,000 (14%) (requested)  Matching Funds $1,950,000 (86%) State + Federal Grants (secured)  Total Project Cost $2,225,000 (100%) 9

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance 10

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Preserve High-Quality Agricultural Soils in Perpetuity  84 Acres of Farmland / 6 times median farm size of Island County  85% of soils are classified as prime or statewide significance  United States Department of Agriculture Certified Organic 11

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance 12

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Preserve a Viable Agricultural Operation  Infrastructure = Farmhouses, barns, run-in sheds, building envelopes  Active certificate of water right (est.1961)  Diversified farm products = hay, lavender, pumpkins, apples  Access to markets both on and off-site = I-5 corridor, on-farm, on-line 13

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance 14

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Preserve Viable Timber Resources in Perpetuity  115 Acres of Forestland / Diversity of Species  Primary Species = Douglas fir, Western hemlock, Western redcedar, red alder  Secondary Species = Grand fir, Sitka spruce, big-leaf maple  Sustainable Forest Management Practices  Forest stewardship plan  90-year rotational harvest, Secondary  Intermittent thinning species: Grand fir  Timber stand improvement projects Sitka spruce  Invasive species control Bigleaf maple 15

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance 16

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Preserve Viable Economic Resources in Perpetuity  Local Timber Jobs  Janicki logging (Sedro Wooley)  Canyon Lumber (Everett)  Buse Timber (Everett)  Sierra Pacific Industries (Burlington)  Local Eco-tourism Jobs  Canopy Tours Northwest – Zip Line (10,000 visitor annually) Secondary  Events species:  Farm to table dinners Grand fir  Wine tastings Sitka spruce  Seasonal gatherings Bigleaf maple 17

A.1.b. Conservation Values & Resources: Rarity 18

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Preserve Critical Fish and Wildlife Habitat Kristoferson Creek Watershed:  Second largest watershed (3,027 acres) on Camano Island  Only watershed with documented salmon use on Camano Island  Priority area for protection: WRIA 6 Multi-Species Salmon Recovery Plan & Recovery Plan Update (2019)  Previous conservation/restoration investments in the watershed 19

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance 20

A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Preserve Critical Water Resources Kristoferson Creek:  Coho salmon, Fall chum salmon, and Cutthroat trout Kristoferson Lake:  Migratory birds, raptors, amphibians, and mammals Wetlands and Riparian Habitat:  Aquifer recharge/groundwater protection  Flood prevention  Groundwater recharge 21

B. Appropriate Public Use & Enjoyment 22

B. Appropriate Public Use & Enjoyment 23

C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans Land Use Element 24

C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans Economic Element 25

C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans Natural Resources Element Project Location 26

C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans Natural Resources Element Continued Project Location 27

C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans Natural Resources Element Continued 28

C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans Parks and Recreation Element Project Location 29

C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans Parks and Recreation Element Continued Project Location 30

C.2. Plans & Partnerships: Support 31

D.1. Potential for Loss: Immediacy of Loss 32

D.1. Potential for Loss: Immediacy of Loss 33

D.2. Potential for Loss: Acquisition Timing  Willing landowners  Project negotiations underway  Matching Funds Secured 34

E.1 & 2. Stewardship Viability: Needs/Risks  Nationally accredited (LTA)  Dedicated Stewardship Staff  Dedicated Stewardship Funds - Stewardship Reserve - Stewardship Enhancement - Restoration - Legal Defense  66 Conservation Easements 35

E.3. Stewardship Viability: Long-Term Costs 36

F.1. Financial Strategies: Cost Efficiencies  CFF =14% of Project Cost  Land Trust Stewardship = Perpetuity 37

F.2. Financial Strategies: Future Costs  Land Trust Members  Land Trust Staff  Volunteer Stewards 38

Thank You! www.wclt.org | 360.222.3310