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Consultant outlines steps for Cannon Beach to acquire watershed land
Summary
Sustainable Northwest described how it helps small coastal cities identify, negotiate for and finance forestland purchases in drinking‑water watersheds; the firm urged priority parcel mapping, negotiation support and fundraising assistance.
The council invited Daniel Ware of Sustainable Northwest to outline how the nonprofit helps coastal cities acquire and manage forest parcels that protect drinking‑water sources.
Ware, a Sustainable Northwest representative, described recent work with Nuveen and the city of Rockaway Beach where his firm helped map priority parcels, negotiate nondisclosure agreements with large landowners, draft purchase agreements and support fundraising. He said the firm acts as a contracted project manager and does not retain ownership of lands it helps communities acquire.
Councilors asked practical questions about nondisclosure agreements, appraisals and which parcels yield the greatest immediate protection for the city’s springs and recharge areas. Ware said a typical first step is a parcel‑prioritization assessment that considers watershed acreage, spring recharge area, slope and road density to identify “the most bang for your buck.”
Council direction: Councilors indicated interest in further detail and Ware said he would return next month with a fuller overview and examples from past successful acquisitions.
