Island County approves cooperative agreement with Whidbey Camano Land Trust to pursue buyouts of seven DNR leased trust lands

Island County commissioners on July 15 approved a cooperative agreement with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and a separate interagency agreement with the Washington Department of Natural Resources to begin appraisals and pursue fee‑simple acquisition of seven leased trust‑land transfer properties.

The agreements, approved unanimously, authorize the land trust to begin work on behalf of the county, including paying a $35,000 initial appraisal deposit to DNR to start valuations for four 50‑year leased properties that remain subject to long leases. Ryan Elting, director of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, told the commissioners the work aims to “permanently protect leased trust lands for ecological values and other public benefits.”

County staff and the land trust explained the urgency: Island County is the next jurisdiction on DNR’s list to decide whether to pursue buyouts; if the county declines now, it could be another decade before the county’s turn comes up again. Elting said three of the leased properties have shorter leases that will expire in roughly six to 12 years, which increases the immediate risk that, if not secured, the lands could return to DNR and be disposed of, probably by auction or sale to private buyers.

The land trust provided preliminary valuation estimates based on an experienced appraiser’s work: the largest single property cited was Alger Bay (listed in the presentation) with an anticipated value above $3.5 million; Strawberry Point and Smugglers Cove were identified as the next most expensive because of their shorter remaining lease terms. Commissioners were told that four other leased properties are under 50‑year leases and have roughly 34 years remaining.

Under the cooperative agreement the land trust will be responsible for securing funding for buyouts and will pay the $35,000 appraisal initiation fee to DNR for the four long‑lease properties. If the land trust secures funding and the county accepts fee transfers, the land trust said it would consider accepting ownership and long‑term management of at least four of the properties — High Point, Skyline, Wall Road and Smugglers Cove — with the county retaining conservation easements to ensure permanent protection.

Commissioner discussion emphasized that signing the cooperative agreement does not commit the county to purchase every property. Commissioner questions confirmed that the board can consider each property individually as appraisals and funding options are developed. James Sylvester, who presented alongside Elting, said the packet included more detailed property descriptions and that the land‑trust team will return to the board with appraisal results and funding options.

Two motions were taken: one to approve the cooperative agreement with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and one to approve an interagency agreement with Washington DNR to begin the appraisal/buyout process. Both motions passed unanimously.

Next steps outlined for the county and land trust are: execution of the cooperative agreement, deposit of $35,000 with DNR to start appraisals for the four long‑lease properties, completion of appraisals, and a return to the commissioners to review the appraisal results and proposed funding strategies. The board also discussed using the Glendale trust‑land exchange (near Cultus Bay) as a template for future transfers.

If appraisals and funding proceed, transfers of fee ownership to the county and subsequent transfers with county conservation easements to the land trust are the likely path to permanent protection; if the county and land trust do not acquire the leased parcels, DNR could ultimately dispose of them.

— Ending note: The commissioners and land trust agreed the work will proceed in stages; final buyouts and transfers will come back to the board for individual decisions once appraisals and funding options are available.