Pacific County approves open-space tax classification for nearly 198 acres acquired by Columbia Land Trust

Pacific County commissioners unanimously approved an open-space tax classification on March 11 for roughly 197.7 acres near 1032 State Route 101 in Chinook that the Columbia Land Trust recently acquired.

Sean Humphreys, the county staff member who presented the request, said the application (permit P2500024) covers assessor parcels 09100621906 and 09100613007 and noted the property already sits under a permanent conservation easement recorded in the county auditor’s office (file 3226805). He told the board the land includes extensive Baker Bay frontage, wetlands and upland habitat and that the easement and prior federal acquisition by the Bonneville Power Administration reflect obligations under the Northwest Power Act to protect fish and wildlife habitat.

“This conservation easement was granted to the United States acting by and through the Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration,” Humphreys said in his staff report, describing the property’s ecology and shoreline frontage.

The staff report referenced RCW 84.34.020 (open-space classification process) and explained that the planning commission recommended approval at its February 6 meeting. Commissioners said the transfer of pass-through responsibilities for related grants and the existence of the recorded easement made the classification appropriate.

The motion to approve the classification and authorize the chair to sign passed with all votes in favor. The board then authorized an electronic signature for Commissioner Dave Tobin, who attended via Zoom, to sign documents requiring all three commissioners’ signatures for that date.

Next steps: the county will sign the agreement and record the classification consistent with county procedures; the conservation easement limits future development of the parcels and allows Columbia Land Trust to provide limited public access where it won’t impair conservation values.