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PRESS RELEASE
Funding approval pending,
new lands added to list
With more than 420 acres of land and 4,000 feet of waterfront at stake, the Whidbey Camano Land Trust is urging island residents to call or email their state representatives immediately to ask them to adopt the State Senate’s budget for the Trust Land Transfer program. If the appeal is successful and the Legislature approves the final budget, the acreage and waterfront will be transferred to Island County or other receiving organizations for conservation and recreation purposes under a 99-year lease.
The Senate’s version of the Capital Budget includes $71 million for the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) program. At the request of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, the Senate added three waterfront properties to six properties already on the approved (but not yet funded) transfer list.
“We are thrilled the Senate recognized the importance of protecting these significant properties on Whidbey Island, including more than 4,000 feet of waterfront and public access to our beautiful beaches,” said Pat Powell, executive director of the local Land Trust. She is asking island residents to contact their legislators right away. “Help protect these special properties; your call or email will make a difference,” Powell said.
The Trust Land Transfer program is an innovative way for the Legislature to transfer state school lands with special values to local or state governments, which then protect the lands for park, open space or wildlife habitat values. In 1989, a bipartisan group of state leaders initiated the TLT program as an innovative approach to school construction funding with multiple benefits. The program helps address the urgent need for school construction, protects Washington’s natural heritage, and can result in upgrading school trust assets to generate long-term revenue for school construction.
The waterfront properties added to the Senate’s budget include three parcels identified as important in implementing Island County’s salmon-recovery strategy. The Smugglers Cove parcel provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife and includes 11 acres of mature forest with more than 1,300 feet of shoreline and beach access. It is located north of South Whidbey State Park. The second parcel contains 10 acres with 275 feet of water-front bluff with beautiful scenic views of Cultus Bay and excellent wildlife habitat. The 14-acre Strawberry Point property has 2,440 feet of high waterfront bluff with mature forest. Bald eagles and pigeon guillemots nest on the property.
Among the nine at-risk Whidbey school properties recommended by the Senate for transfer is a 200-acre parcel at the headwaters of Maxwelton Creek, one of only three salmon streams in all of Island County. This property will be transferred to South Whidbey Parks and Recreation. It contains a mature forest and trails. “We are delighted that the Maxwelton Creek Watershed property is on the final Trust Land Transfer list,” said John Hastings, president of the Maxwelton Salmon Adventure Board of Directors. “The water, wildlife and fish will be beneficiaries of the transfer, along with South Whidbey residents who will have more trails to access to forest lands.”
The Land Trust is asking people to contact their legislators before Tuesday, April 5 to urge them to adopt the Senate’s budget for the TLT program ($71 million, including the nine Island County properties). Powell, the Land Trust executive director, suggested people emphasize the importance of the Trust Land Transfer program and the great significance of the nine properties to Island County, especially the need for additional public access to the shoreline.
Island County’s representatives are Chris Strow, (360) 786-7884, e-mail at strow.christopher@leg.wa.gov, and Barbara Bailey, (360) 786-7914, e-mail at bailey.barbara@leg.wa.gov. Another important contact is Representative Hans Dunshee, chairman of the House Capital Budget Committee, at 360-786-7804, e-mail dunshee.hans@leg.wa.gov. The Legislative Hotline is 1-800-562-6000.
More information about the Trust Land Transfer program and what citizens can do to help ensure protection of these nine Whidbey properties is posted in the “News and Events” section of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s webpage at www.wclt.org. Those without internet access may call the Land Trust at (360) 321-5141.
The Whidbey Camano Land Trust is a charitable, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting the natural habitats and rural lands on Whidbey and Camano Islands in partnership with landowners and the broader community.
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