Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Conservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners to provide letter of support for Forest Legacy conservation easement covering 68,000+ acres
Summary
County staff asked commissioners to sign a letter supporting a Forest Legacy Program conservation-easement application that would cover more than 68,000 acres spanning Clallam and Jefferson counties and support public trails access.
Clallam County staff told commissioners on Feb. 18 they will act to send a letter of support for a Forest Legacy Program application that covers more than 68,000 acres across Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Staff said the private landowner's application would seek a conservation easement under the federal Forest Legacy Program, supported by provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, to retain working forest land and extinguish development rights. The application reportedly supports public access that would include segments of the Olympic Discovery Trail and parts of a planned Pacific Northwest Scenic Trail.
Staff noted the application includes acreage east and west of a local bridge and that landowner and county discussions are ongoing; field confirmation of some parcels was deferred until snow melt. A staff presenter said the application deadline is in early March and commissioners agreed to act in time to include the county letter of support on or before the deadline.
Staff estimated the Forest Legacy application would involve a multiyear conservation easement and said a separate, earlier Land and Water Conservation Fund application covered a different 10–11,000-acre tract.
