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SAN JUAN COUNTY LAND BANK

INFO

For more information about the San Juan County Land Bank, please call 360.378.4402 or visit the Land Bank Web site.



Riding Club and Land Bank members hike Turtleback Mtn

photo by Tess Simendingerhas
Checking the map of Turtleback Mountain Preserve are left to right; Rik Karon, Land Bank Steward Eliza Habegger, Land Bank Commisioner Mary Blackstone, Wanda Evans, Catherine Ascher, and Ruthie Thompson-Klein


posted 03/31/2008
Friday March 28, 2008 a Land Bank staff member and members of the Island Trail Riding Club hiked Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island. The two groups are working together to communicate their respective concerns regarding multi-use of trails in the now publicly-owned preserve.

The Land Bank's proposed management plan does not allow biking or horseback riding. At public meetings on Orcas and San Juan Islands, Land Bank Board members and staff heard from community members who disagreed with the restrictions.

Staff member Doug McCutchen said the Land Bank did not have enough staff to allow multi-use of the preserve. He said Moran State Park has staff and allows horseback riding. The state park staff also tends to numerous other duties.

At the San Juan Island meeting, Rik Karon said having multi-use worked well on the DNR's Mitchell Hill property on San Juan Island. Bicyclists, horseback riders and hikers all used the trails without any staff. Will Hamilton who manages the adjacent watershed property for Roche Harbor concurred.

Hamilton also managed the forestry program for the previous owners of the Turtleback Mountain property. At the meeting he said something to consider was in the past the property had been used to train rescue dogs. And the dogs had been used successfully in a rescue on Orcas Island.

Turtleback Mountain Preserve was obtained by the Land Bank and San Juan Preservation Trust with the help of a public out-pouring of letters and donations. Voters approved a one percent tax real estate excise tax in San Juan County which funds the Land Bank to purchase land to be held in open space for public benefit. The tax was renewed once and is due to sunset in 2014 unless approved again by voters.

Since the two meetings, the Land Bank has decided to extend the time period for public testimony to April 18 and to hold its regular Land Bank meeting on Orcas on April 11. The meeting begins at 10:15 a.m. and will be held in the in the Main Meeting Room, Orcas Island Fire Department Station 21, 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound. Public comment time is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

The Draft Plan is available for download on the Land Bank’s website www.co.san-juan.wa.us/land_bank/turtle_back.html or by calling the office at 378-4402.


Land Bank extends Turtleback management plan comment period to April 18

posted 03/22/2008
Recognizing the high level on interest in management of the Turtleback Mountain Preserve, the Land Bank is extending the public comment period on its draft management plan until April 18. "We have received many comments from people already in our three public meetings and via emails, letters and calls," stated Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director. "However, some have expressed confusion over our process and we wanted to make sure we received input from as diverse a cross-section of the community as possible."

In order to further ensure capturing a variety of opinion, the Land Bank will have its April 11 meeting at on Orcas Island. The meeting location has yet to be determined. "The agenda will provide for an expanded public comment time," said Bormann. "It will be an opportunity for the Land Bank Commission to hear comments first-hand."

Following the end of the comment period, the Commission will review all public comments and direct staff to redraft the plan as needed. The draft plan would then go back before the San Juan Preservation Trust Board for approval as mandated in the terms of the conservation easement on the property. The draft plan will be finalized in a public hearing before the County Council.


Public comment welcome until March 31 on Turtleback Management Plan

No horseback riding or biking allowed

posted 03/11/2008
The San Juan County Land Bank is inviting public comment on its Draft Stewardship and Management Plan for Turtleback Mountain Preserve. Comments will be accepted through March 31, 2008, and may be submitted in writing. Written comments should be directed to the Land Bank at 350 Court St. #6, Friday Harbor, 98250.

The Draft Plan elaborates on the theme of Turtleback as a natural area that will be managed to protect the land’s native species, habitats, and other noteworthy features, and to enable low-impact, compatible public use. No bicycling or horseback riding is allowed under the plan. Once finalized, it will replace the existing Interim Management Plan. It will direct stewardship of the Preserve for years to come. The Draft Plan is available for download on the Land Bank’s website www.co.san-juan.wa.us/land_bank/turtle_back.html or by calling the office at 378-4402.


Council appproves Land Bank plan to preserve farmland on Orcas Island

posted 03/05/2008
PRESS RELEASE: The San Juan County Council authorized Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann to proceed with the purchase of 186 acres of farmland located between the Judd Cove Preserve and Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island, to insure that the land stays in agriculture and to protect scenic vistas and potential trail access connecting the preserves.

The property is now owned by family farmers Vern and Sidney Coffelt who are nearing retirement. Director Bormann noted that the Land Bank purchased conservation easements on the farm in 1995 and 1996, but the Coffelts are now in the position of needing to sell the land or find another way to enable them to back off from their day-to-day activities. He told the Council that if the property were sold at full price on the open market the cost would make it highly unlikely that any investor would maintain it as a farm.

The Coffelts have agreed to sell the land to the San Juan County Land Bank for $1,175,000, a price which Borman said is well below the estimated market value.

Under the terms of the sale, the County will make payments on the property over a period of four years, and the Coffelts may remain in residence on the property for the rest of their lives. The Land Bank will eventually lease the farm to others interested in maintaining it in agriculture.

The Council unanimously supported the purchase, with Councilmember Gene Knapp saying, "There is no way to describe this as anything other than terrific."

Councilmember Bob Myhr said, "This can serve as another model for preserving property and land in agriculture."

San Juan County Land Bank was created in 1990 and mandated to "preserve in perpetuity areas in the county that have environmental, agricultural, aesthetic, cultural, scientific, historic, scenic or low-intensity recreational value and to protect existing and future sources of potable water." It is funded with a one percent real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of property in the county.

Cady Mountain Preserve One Step Closer to Public Access

posted 01/10/2008
San Juan County Land Bank purchased 10 acres from Bruce Clark in December 2007 adjacent to its existing Cady Mountain Preserve on San Juan Island. The Clark acquisition added a shady fern-filled ravine and a fringe of Garry Oak woodland to the Preserve’s existing Garry Oak savanna, mature forest and open meadows. "Perhaps more importantly," said Land Steward Eliza Habegger, "it takes the Land Bank one step closer to its goal of a primitive, public trail that could one day lead from the county road to the mountain’s top."

The Land Bank efforts to protect forest land on Cady Mountain began in 2002 with the purchase of 40 acres. The effort continued in 2005 when an acquisition from the Department of Natural Resources kept an additional 80 acres in public hands. With the new purchase the preserve now consists of 130 acres and features outstanding views.

The Land Bank has worked in recent years with the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program to restore Garry Oak habitat on the Cady Mountain Preserve. The area was identified in the 1975 study of San Juan County Natural Areas as being of the highest priority for conservation due to its oak stands.

Eliza Habegger was assisted on the project by Thom Pence a Land Bank Commissioner and retired forester with a lifelong dedication to conservation. "This addition to the Cady Mountain Preserve is a Commissioner's dream!" said Pence. "Not only does it provide the possibility to extend scenic hiking access to the mountain, but also incorporates one of the best, biologically diverse pieces of Garry Oak habitat remaining on the mountain. Such opportunities are rare and we fully appreciate our good fortune."

The preserve also features various plants including the wildflower, Jeffrey's shooting-star. While the preserve is not currently open to the public, photos of the view, the forest and the flowers can be seen on the Land Bank's Web site www.co.san-juan.wa.us/land_bank.

Council approves $4 million in new acquisitions for Land Bank

includes parcels on Cady Mtn, Watmough Bight, Judd Cove and more

By Sharon Kivisto

posted 06/07/2007The Land Bank's amended 2007 budget, approved unanimously Tuesday, June 5, 2007 by the San Juan County Council, includes $4 million in new acquistions. Many of the purchases are still in process, one was quickly finalized immediately following the public hearing for the budget amendment.

The property referred to as the Westside Preserve Addition was owned by James and Anne Airy. It is one acre in size and has approximately 160 feet of rocky shoreline on Haro Strait. The Land Bank owns property to the south of the parcel. A house is on the parcel to the north. On the other side of the house is more Land Bank property.

According to the Land Bank report, acquisition of this property is important to maintaining the open space character of the westside of San Juan Island. One of the essential qualities of the westside is its strong visual linkage to the waters of Haro Strait. This stretch of the Westside Road is one of those most traveled by islanders and visitors seeking opportunities to view killer whales from land. Additionally, maintaining this parcel in its natural condition will limit the potential for cumulative impacts on the strait.

Councilmember Kevin Ranker suggested the value of buying up single parcels would be something the Land Bank Commission would have to consider carefully. He understood the commission's desire to keep out "monster-sized" houses.

Land Bank Commission Chair Lisa Nash said, "The west side is like our Turtleback."

After the budget hearing was over and the budget was approved, the council approved the purchase of the Airy property for $875,000. This includes $5,000 closing costs.

Other potential purchases on San Juan Island included in the amended 2007 Land Bank budget are:

  • $1 million for a conservation easement on the Webb property to buffer English Camp and protect Westcott Bay with a public trail connection. The property belongs to the Webb family. The Land Bank is not purchasing property, only an easement. The 75-acre parcel is zoned for one home per five acres. The conservation easement will eliminate not more than two housing units according to Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann. The easement will contain a provision allowing a public trail connection between English Camp and the Roche Harbor highlands property.

    The million dollar price is just an estimate, the negotiations are still underway. Asked by the council if the oyster farm will still be operational. Bormann said the funds from the easement will help the family continue the operation. Another councilmember thought the oyster farm business belonged to someone else. Bormann said he would check on that.

  • $250,000 in partnership with Sean Hubbard, who will contribute $250,000 towards the purchase of 10 acres on Cady Mountain owned by Bruce Clark. The property will provide additional protection to the rare Garry Oak plant community and provide potential for better public access to the Land Bank's existing preserve. Hubbard is also considering donating a conservation easement or the fee with a life estate to the Land Bank for a 20-acre parcel he currently owns adjacent 10-acre property. The 20 acre parcel contains some of the highest quality Garry Oak savannah community on San Juan Island, according to the Land Bank.

LOPEZ ISLAND

  • $600,000 for a conservation easement on 120 acres on the Robinson farm located near Hunter Bay. The property consists of 170 acres. The portion covered by the conservation easement consists of open agricultural fields with forested patches and a wetland area on the western boundary.

    According to the Land Bank Commission report: Acquisition of this property is important to maintaining the open space character of Lopez Island. Robinson Farm is an excellent example of an island homestead from the early 20th century, complete with orchard, timber resources and high quality pasture. Its farmhouse and barn are also exemplary of that time period and the conservation easement could include an historic preservation component for these structures.



  • $600,000 for fee title seven acres with approximately 680 feet of high bank waterfront at Watmough Bight owned by Eric Meng and Ellison Cady. The property is immediately adjacent to Bureau of Land Management Land. "The Land Bank is pursuing this with the San Juan Preservation Trust," Bormann told the county Council. "A grant is being sought from the Salmon Recovery Board for half the cost."

  • According to the report, Acquisition of this property is vital to maintaining the character of Watmough Bay. Currently, no structures are visible from the beach accessed across Land Bank and BLM property. The Bay provides one of the best opportunities in the islands for people to experience a sense of wildness and remoteness. Were the property cleared and a structure built, this essence would be lost.

    Maintaining this parcel in its natural condition will also limit the potential for cumulative impacts on Bight and adjacent waters.

ORCAS ISLAND

  • $850,000 for acquisition of fee title to ensure continued operation of Coffelt's Farm. The property consists of 165 acres and is adjacent to the Land Bank's Turtleback Mountain Preserve to the west and Fowler's Pond Preserve to the north. It is largely open fields with some forested and wetland areas. There are two current residences and multiple farm buildings.

    According to the report: Acquisition of this property is critical in maintaining agriculture on Orcas Island. The Coffelts have maintained the farm for many years but are nearing retirement. The Land Bank already holds a conservation easement on the property, but this does not preclude the possibility of the land being divided and sold as five separate estates. The fee purchase will allow the Land Bank to lease the property for agriculture and further restrict development potential.

    Additionally, fee ownership will allow for public access, including a potential connector between Turtleback and Fowler's Pond and for environmental and agricultural education programs.

    " TheLand Bank agrees to keep as a place of agricultural activity for the next 50 years. There will be housing for the farm manager and worker housing and a life estate for the Coffelts,"Bormann said, "It also almost connects us from Turtleback to Judd Cove."

  • $500,000 for acquisition of fee title of four acres at Judd Cove belonging to Mike Carlson. This will provide public access to the waterfront and allow ecological restoration of the site. The property is largely cleared field and includes 140 feet of low bank waterfront. It also controls the tidelands for half the cove. The owner has a bedland lease from the Dept of Natural Resources.

    According to the report: Acquisition of this property will fulfill some of the original goals in acquiring properties above Judd Cove. Currently Land Bank holdings do not allow public access to the shoreline or provide much protection to the intertidal zone. Ownership of this property will provide both of these.

    In addition, there is great restoration potential on the property for the degraded freshwater wetlands and in the eelgrass area currently impacted by the dock and log dump operations. Also Judd Cove in a restored state may create additional herring spawn habitat.

    Acquisition of this property would further the potential of a pedestrian connection from Turtleback, across Crow Valley and to the shoreline of Judd Cove as well. Lastly the property has a good example of a limekiln which could become an educational resource for the island.

Land Bank protects Cattle Point Road farmland

posted 06/02/2009
The San Juan County Land Bank purchased a $230,000 conservation easement over 27 acres owned by Nate Howard and Elisa Scott-Howard on Cattle Point Road, San Juan Island.

In 2001, the Land Bank initiated efforts to purchase conservation easements over a block of contiguous farmland on the west side of Cattle Point Road south of Fairway Drive. Two of those easements were completed in 2003, including Heritage Farm. The acquisition of the conservation easement over the Howard property completes protection of this area.

In conjunction with easements on the east side of the road, nearly 175 contiguous acres of farmland, forest and shoreline are protected while remaining in private ownership. This area boasts both raw milk and goat cheese dairies, extensive fields for cattle and sheep grazing, and commercial vegetable and egg production.

"Completing this project has been a goal of the Land Bank for almost a decade," said Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director. "Adding this final piece ensures the area will remain open forever and allow agriculture to continue there for the foreseeable future."

Land Bank acquires two properties on San Juan Island

The five acre parcel on Roche Harbor Road.

posted 07/30/2006
The San Juan County Land Bank has acquired two recent property closings on San Juan Island. One property has significant road frontage along Cattle Point Road, adjacent to American Camp. The other property is located on Roche Harbor Road and is adjacent to the Land Bank's existing Roche Harbor Road property. "These are great acquisitions not only because they are highly visible, but also because they create new possibilities for the Land Bank," said Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director.

The five acre parcel on Roche Harbor Road is located at the outflow of the Beaverton Valley Marsh. "Acquiring this property was extremely important for our goal of restoring the Marsh," said Bormann. "It is the most significant freshwater wetland in the county." The Land Bank is working with Ducks Unlimited and adjacent property owners to help eradicate invasive Reed Canary grass from the site and restore native vegetation and wildlife. This will mean holding water in the marsh a little longer each year. To accomplish this, Ducks Unlimited is planning to put a water control structure near the road. The restoration will be done in conjunction with public access to the larger 128-acre Roche Harbor Road property. The Land Bank may also lease a portion of the larger northern property for agriculture. The purchase price was $220,000 and is expected to be reimbursed through existing grants targeted for wetland restoration.

The 68-acre Cattle Point Road property includes open fields and unobstructed views across San Juan Channel to Lopez Island and beyond to Mt. Baker. The purchase creates a corridor of connectivity from existing Land Bank acreage to American Camp. The purchase price was $2,000,000. "We envision a connecting trail and possibly leasing a portion of the property for agriculture purposes. I hope that in a year or two this area will be a rich mosaic of working farm fields, woods and diverse vistas where people will enjoy nature and also get to see how small-scale farming operations work," Bormann continued. The property purchase also includes a conservation buyer component. Two or three home sites in the less visible areas will likely be sold to help recover acquisition costs.

The 68-acre Cattle Point Road property.

About the San Juan County Land Bank In 1990, San Juan County voters approved funding for the San Juan County Land Bank through a one percent real estate excise tax. This tax is paid by purchasers of property in the County. Land Bank funds are set aside expressly for the purpose of preserving the scenic and natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. Through conservation easements or outright purchases, the Land Bank protects special properties in the County. These may be shorelines, wildlife habitat, woodlands, wetlands, homesteads, or farmland. The Land Bank has protected over 3,100 acres of important conservation lands throughout the San Juan Islands. For more information, contact the Land Bank at 378-4402.

Land Bank Acquires Key Property in Deer Harbor

posted 3/15/2006
San Juan County Land Bank has purchased a two-acre waterfront parcel in Deer Harbor on Orcas Island. The parcel has approximately 650 feet of rare low bank shoreline. "This parcel is exceedingly important to the residents of Orcas Island, who have very little public access to the shoreline," said Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director. "It also gives the residents of Deer Harbor a central public outdoor recreation space and access to the water."

Deer Harbor resident Bob Henigson said that he had coveted the land as the perfect park for the community ever since moving there almost 11 years ago. "It's a dream come true."

Residents of Deer Harbor agreed to pay $150,000 of the $1,100,000 purchase price. To date, they have contributed $50,000. They plan to raise the rest of the money by this fall.

The property is partly wooded with open pasture and has the remains of a tidal swimming pool built in the 1930s. The concrete from the pool may be removed and used to enhance rockfish habitat in the harbor.


Land Bank protects ag land in Center Valley, Lopez Island

posted 1/17/2006
PRESS RELEASE: The San Juan County Land Bank has announced a gift of a conservation easement on 36 acres of fertile Center Valley farmland owned by Bob and Catherine Clemens.

"We wanted to be sure that this farm would forever retain its agricultural and open space character,"said Bob. "We worked with the Land Bank and developed a plan to keep the views across the property unobstructed and to ensure sound management into the future."

"It's always heartening when people are committed to conserving their land," said Lincoln Bormann, Director of the Land Bank. "Bob and Catherine have made a great contribution to the Islands and to future generations."

The scenic qualities of the open pasture will also continue to be enjoyed by travelers along Kjargaard, Davis Bay and Fisherman Bay Roads. The easement extinguishes one residential development right on the property and removes two additional development rights to an adjacent parcel. Continued agricultural use will be encouraged.

With this closing, the Land Bank is another step closer to its goal to preserve the agricultural values in the Center Valley on Lopez. Across Kjargaard Road, Bucky Lee runs cattle on his 36-acre farm protected by a Land Bank easement, and further north, the open fields of the 50-acre Harris-Pressenda property are also protected in perpetuity by a Land Bank easement.

About Conservation Easements Through a conservation easement, the Land Bank and a property owner commit to a set of restrictions and allowable uses of the land. A conservation easement is a legally binding agreement unique to each property and runs with the title to the property in perpetuity.

About the San Juan County Land Bank In 1990, San Juan County voters approved funding for the San Juan County Land Bank through a one percent real estate excise tax. This tax is paid by purchasers of property in the County. Land Bank funds are set aside expressly for the purpose of preserving the scenic and natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. Through conservation easements or outright purchases, the Land Bank protects special properties in the County. These may be shorelines, wildlife habitat, woodlands, wetlands, homesteads, or farmland. The Land Bank has protected over 3,100 acres of important conservation lands throughout the San Juan Islands. For more information, contact the Land Bank at 378-4402.


Land Bank closes on two more properties

posted 11/07/05
PRESS RELEASE: Friday October 28, 2005, San Juan County Land Bank purchased Stonebridge Farm on Orcas Island and a conservation easement on Crane Island, adjacent to Pole Pass.

The 74-acre Stonebridge Farm connects two existing Land Bank holdings, Crescent Beach Preserve, to the south, and the Terrill Beach Wetlands, to the north. Stonebridge Farm is best known for its expansive hay field to the north of Mt. Baker Road and for the covered bridge constructed by the previous owner, Burton Burton. The Land Bank acquired the site for its scenic and ecological values and recreational potential. The purchase price was $1,825,000.

"With this purchase, it could be possible to walk from Crescent Beach up to the Terrill Beach wetlands," stated Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director. "It also gives us the opportunity to restore the wetland areas on Stonebridge and on the former Greer property running to the north," Bormann added. "This is a key purchase for the residents and for the ecology of Orcas Island."

Under the Conservation Buyers Program, the Land Bank has the option of reselling a portion of the property to help defray purchase costs. Any portion of the property sold would likely be encumbered with a conservation easement to protect views and open space values.

The Pole Pass conservation easement eliminates development potential from the headlands adjacent to the narrow passage between Crane and Orcas Islands. Although the easement covers only .67 acres, the property is highly visible from the water, including the ferry route through the Wasp Passage. "The residents of Crane Island took it upon themselves to protect this area," said Bormann. "They raised nearly all the money for its acquisition and approached the Land Bank to put them over the top. This is a great public/private partnership." The purchase price of the conservation easement was $70,000. Total acquisition costs for the parcel exceeded $300,000.

About the Land Bank The Land Bank program was approved by San Juan County voters in 1990. In 1999, the program was renewed for 12 more years by a nearly 73 percent vote of support. The program is funded by a one percent real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of property in the county. Land Bank funds are set aside expressly for the purpose of preserving the natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. The Land Bank's mission includes preserving and maintaining open space and providing opportunities for low-impact recreation.


Turtleback Mt for sale

posted 08/27/05
The Medina Foundation is selling a 1,578 acre parcel of land on Orcas Island which includes Turtleback Mountain. The foundation, founded in 1947 by Norton Clapp to fund organizations providing basic human services, says proceeds from the sale will be invested in income-producing assets allowing the foundation to help serve a broad and diverse population of those most in need. FULL STORY


New Land Bank Director Welcomed; New Land Bank Office Location

posted 08/04/05
PRESS RELEASE: Lincoln Bormann has begun his role as the new director of the San Juan County Land Bank. He comes to San Juan County from the Nature Conservancy where he directed their Southwest Florida Program and oversaw acquisitions for the Sarasota County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. His background also includes marine conservation work for the Pew Charitable Trusts and private consulting in forest biodiversity. Lincoln holds a master’s degree in environmental policy from University of Minnesota and a doctorate degree in forestry and environmental studies from Yale University. FULL STORY


Land Bank adds 450 feet of Crescent Beach shoreline

posted 06/14/05
San Juan County Land Bank recently bought 10 acres and 450 feet of shoreline at Crescent Beach, Orcas Island. The purchase expands the Land Bank's Crescent Beach Preserve, adding conifer forest, wetlands, a potential off-road parking area, and possibilities for future trail connections, according to a Land Bank press release.

The land was purchased from Scott McKay for $890,000 and included settlement of a longstanding shoreline property dispute. $700,000 was paid at closing, with an option for the remaining $190,000 to be paid for in land of equal value in lieu of cash. FULL STORY


Land Bank protects Agricultural Land in San Juan Valley

posted 05/02/05
The San Juan County Land Bank has announced the purchase of 60 acres of rolling San Juan Valley farmland from the King family.

"Our Dad loved that land," said Maggie King. "We wanted to keep some of it in the family and we wanted to preserve some of what our Dad loved - the woods, the open fields and the views."

The Land Bank and the King family daughters - Mary Jean King, Phebe King Hirshel, Janet King Robbins, and Maggie King - put together a plan that would address the family needs and protect this important piece of island heritage. The Land Bank paid $545,000 for 60 acres of prime open space, with 20 acres remaining in the family. The pastures and scenic views long enjoyed by travelers along San Juan Valley Road have been owned by the King family since at least the 1930's. With the Land Bank's purchase, they will be protected in perpetuity.

The property will be included for resale in the Land Bank's Conservation Buyer Program following the creation of a conservation easement. The easement will be designed to encourage continued agricultural use and minimize the visual impacts of future development by allowing for only one residence. Current zoning provides for 6 to 12 potential residences.

"The King sisters must be thanked for their desire to protect this land," said Nancy Greene, Chair of the Land Bank Commission. "Without their tenacity and the support from their families, this deal would never have come together."

About the San Juan County Land Bank In 1990, San Juan County voters approved funding for the San Juan County Land Bank through a one percent real estate transfer tax. This tax is paid by purchasers of property in the County. Land Bank funds are set aside expressly for the purpose of preserving the natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. Through conservation easements or outright purchases, the Land Bank protects special properties in the County. These may be shorelines, wildlife habitat, woodlands, wetlands, homesteads, or farmland. The Land Bank has protected over 2,500 acres of important conservation lands throughout the San Juan Islands. For more information, contact the Land Bank at 378-4402.


Land Bank sells property on Shaw

posted 03/31/05
A 30-acre parcel on Shaw Island will be sold to the Shaw Island Trust. San Juan County Land Bank Commission recommended the sale and the county Commissioners approved it March 29, 2005. A "forever wild" conservation easement will be placed on the parcel as a condition of the sale.

The property contains significant wildlife habitat and old-growth trees. It was Dept. of Resources land before it was purchased by the Land Bank for $300,000. County Commissioner Rhea Miller had reservations about selling the parcel because it wouldn't be accessible to the public. But since the parcel was surrounded by other property and did not have any easements allowing the public to reach the property, Miller agreed to the sale.

Commissioners Alan Lichter and Kevin Ranker were pleased with the Land Bank's recommendation to sell the property.

Shaw Island Trust will pay $300,000 or fair market value whichever is higher. The San Juan Preservation Trust will be in charge of the conservation easement. The property is on the east side of Shaw Island and is adjacent to other property owned by the Shaw Island Trust.


Land Bank in line for $1.2 million grant

Aerial view provided by Land Bank.

posted 11/09/04
San Juan County Land Bank is poised to receive a nearly $1.2 million grant to buy land and add parking, signs, trails and a restroom at its Fisherman Bay Spit Preserve on Lopez Island. FULL STORY


Information about San Juan County Land Bank

posted 02/23/05
The purpose of the Land Bank is to preserve the natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. The Land Bank acquires special properties outright to provide public access or protect important habitat. The Land Bank also acquires conservation easements, which are legally binding restrictions on privately owned properties. Easement properties might preserve a treasured view or help promote farming.

Meeting Times: Regular monthly Land Bank Commission business meetings are held on the third Friday of the month. The public is always welcome. The meeting schedule can be found on the Land Bank's website, by calling the Land Bank office or from monthly notices in the local news media.

Ways People can help: Volunteer Land Stewards visit a Land Bank preserve on a regular basis. They have the opportunity to become intimately familiar with a particular Land Bank preserve. Work party volunteers help with property restoration projects such as pulling noxious weeds and reforestation. Office volunteers provide administrative support, ie. helping with monthly mailings or database updates. Please give us a call if you would like to volunteer.

Contact information:

Upright Head Preserve Opening Celebration set for June 28

posted 06/13/03
San Juan County Land Bank invites everyone to celebrated the newly opened Upright Head Preserve on Lopez Island from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2003.

Land Bank Commissioners Nancy Greene and Tom Cowan and Land Steward Eliza Habegger will be on site to celebrate the opening of this important Preserve, answer questions and share information. There will be two guided nature walks, one at noon and another at 1:30 pm. For those interested in noxious weed control, there will be time for tansy ragwort pulling and the chance to learn more about tansy's invasive habits and ways to control it. The Celebration is also an opportunity to learn more about the Land Bank.

Upright Head Preserve lies adjacent to the Lopez ferry landing. The twenty-seven acre property was purchased by the Land Bank in 1998 after it had been platted for the building of thirteen houses. In accord with the community desire and the Land Bank's mandate to preserve habitat and scenic values, this property is being maintained as a beautiful habitat and is open to the public for low impact day use. This is your land. Come enjoy it. For more information call the Land Bank office, 360.378.4402.

Stories about San Juan County Land Bank

Land Bank Director resigns

Henry Island isthmus permanently protected

Jones appointed to Land Bank- Selak honored in emotional send-off

Desire for one leads to approval of three

New Land Bank projects
total $1.5 million

posted 11/05/02

Roark house traded for property
posted 10/23/02

Stewardship plans ready for review
posted 10/03/02

Land Bank reports weed pulling success
posted 07/20/02

$5 million bond for Land Bank
posted 06/14/02

Land Bank to purchase 29 acres of Lopez Spit
posted 06/25/02

Land Bank protects midden and wetland at Crescent Beach
posted 03/22/02

Upright Head Preserve stewarship plan ready for review
posted 03/15/02

Land Bank purchase part of drainage dispute settlement
posted 12/29/01

Jones appointed to Land Bank

Sept. 21, 2001 meeting minutes

Longterm Land Bank chair honored in emotional send-off
posted 08/22/01

San Juan County Land Bank June 15, 2001 meeting minutes

Battle against noxious weeds continues

San Juan County Land Bank May 18, 2001 meeting minutes

Maps on Land Bank Web site

Proposed amendments to 2001 Land Bank Budget

Purchases in 2000 protect farms, waterfront, and isthmuses

Land Bank to conserve 128 acres of San Juan Island farmland

Planting the future; volunteers start Hummel Lake Preserve’s reforestation

Land Bank to add West Side, Crescent Beach properties

Azous, Cowan, Lawrence named to Land Bank

BOCC OK three new land bank buys

Red-legged frogs, wild and scenic character to be preserved

Limekiln lawsuit settlement

Land Bank property not a park

Islanders: Keep Limekiln property as is

Land Bank targets property next to
American Camp, Hummel Lake

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