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Thurston County reviews Conservation Futures fund, extends one grant and keeps HCP reserves
Summary
County planners and budget staff briefed commissioners on the Conservation Futures Fund’s uses, balances and priorities; the board authorized a one-year extension for a land-trust grant and discussed HCP reserve strategy and limits on maintenance funding.
Thurston County commissioners on Aug. 6 received an overview of the county’s Conservation Futures Fund and related natural-resources work, including how the fund is allocated, a map showing approximately 5,800 acres conserved to date, and the county’s Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) reserve strategy. The board then voted unanimously to extend a 2024 grant award for a land‑trust project through Sept. 30, 2025.
The presentation was led by Ashley Rai, community planning and economic development director, with assistance from Karen (Public Works director) and Summer Miller, budget and finance manager. Rai told the board the county was “one of the first counties in the state, back in 1989 to actually establish a conservation futures program,” and reviewed what uses state law allows for the fund: land acquisition, conservation easements and, to a limited extent, operations and maintenance for sites purchased at least in part with Conservation Futures funds.
Why this matters: Commissioners said they wanted a clearer, coordinated picture of how the fund’s annual receipts are split among grants, prairie/HCP work and park/trail maintenance so future budget decisions are informed by program needs and reserve levels rather than ad hoc requests.
Key details and figures discussed
- Annual receipts and levy rate: Staff said current annual receipts are approximately $1,700,000 under the county’s current levy rate (presented in the briefing as “0.028¢ for every $1,000 of assessed value”); staff characterized those figures as approximations for planning purposes.
- Reserve and programming balances: About $5,000,000 has been set aside in an HCP reserve; staff said roughly $2,300,000 remained for programming after that reserve accounting. Staff also said only about $100,000 can be added annually to reserves under current receipts, so quick acquisitions could draw reserves down faster than they are replenished.
- Allowed uses and limits: State law limits the share of Conservation Futures receipts that may be used for maintenance and operations; staff said the county currently uses the maximum allowed (25%) to fund maintenance and operations for specific parks and for trails purchased in part with Conservation Futures revenue. Kinneydale and Deschutes Falls parks were cited as examples of parks eligible for M&O funding from the fund.
- Grant awards and priorities: The county’s annual grant program (community-driven grants) historically has been near $1,000,000 annually; staff noted that in some years funding is split between community grants and targeted prairie/HCP conservation (historically a roughly 50/50 split of certain allocations). Staff said the ranking committee has recommended projects and the board should expect grant award recommendations in the coming month.
- HCP target and market context: Staff said the county’s HCP contemplates roughly 4,000 acres of prairie conservation over 30 years, and that current land appraisals suggest 100 acres in rural areas could cost the county about $1.5–$2.0 million depending on location. Staff described large acquisitions as “once in a generation” opportunities and said being ready with funds helps the county be competitive.
Board action on a grant extension
The board considered a request from CPAD (Community Planning and Economic Development) to authorize the county manager and CPED director to approve an extension for a 2024 grant award (Elbow Lake Creek / Apple Creek project, awarded to the Nisqually Land Trust) to allow the land trust to finish a boundary-line adjustment. The motion on the record authorized an extension through Sept. 30, 2025. No mover/second were recorded in the transcript; the clerk called the vote and the motion “carried unanimously.” Staff characterized the request as administrative and said the original award had not explicitly provided extension authority.
Staff next steps and board guidance
Staff said they will return with the annual grant awards for board consideration, more detail on reserves and program allocations, and three scenario maps showing (1) the county’s likely conservation outcomes at current levy rates, (2) outcomes with a mid-level levy increase, and (3) outcomes at a higher (near-maximum) levy rate modeled after larger counties. Staff also described ongoing feasibility studies, appraisals and partnership negotiations (city and port partners) tied to potential HCP acquisitions.
Ending note: Commissioners asked staff to continue refining the financial breakdowns and to bring the grant recommendations and HCP acquisition updates back to the board so commissioners can weigh reserve policy and acquisition timing before making further commitments.
