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SAN JUAN COUNTY LAND BANK |
INFOFor more information about the San Juan County Land Bank, please call 360.378.4402 or visit the Land Bank Web site. | |
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Riding Club and Land Bank members hike Turtleback Mtn
photo by Tess Simendingerhas
posted 03/31/2008
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 18posted 03/22/2008
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 PlanNo horseback riding or biking allowed posted 03/11/2008
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 Islandposted 03/05/2008 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 Accessposted 01/10/2008
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 Bankincludes 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:
LOPEZ ISLAND
$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." ORCAS ISLAND
Land Bank protects Cattle Point Road farmlandposted 06/02/2009 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 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
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 Islandposted 1/17/2006 "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
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 saleposted 08/27/05
New Land Bank Director Welcomed; New Land Bank Office Locationposted 08/04/05
Land Bank adds 450 feet of Crescent Beach shoreline
posted 06/14/05
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
"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 Shawposted 03/31/05
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
Information about San Juan County Land Bankposted 02/23/05 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 28posted 06/13/03
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 BankHenry 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 Roark house traded for property Stewardship plans ready for review Land Bank reports weed pulling success $5 million bond for Land Bank Land Bank to purchase 29 acres of Lopez Spit Land Bank protects midden and wetland at Crescent Beach
Upright Head Preserve stewarship plan ready for review Land Bank purchase part of drainage dispute settlement Sept. 21, 2001 meeting minutes Longterm Land Bank chair honored in emotional send-off 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 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 Islanders: Keep Limekiln property as is Land Bank targets property next to |
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