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Zimmerman Conservation Easement
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Status |
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Protected in 2000
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Location |
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South Whidbey Island, north of Clinton
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Acreage |
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28 acres
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Public Benefits |
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Forest, agricultural land, waterfront, and wildlife habitat
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Description |
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The Zimmerman conservation easement protects 28 acres of waterfront and upland near Clinton. In addition to the family home, only one other residence can be built in an area that does not affect wildlife habitat or scenic views. The protected property is adjacent to a popular bicycle and walking trail on the south end of Whidbey Island.
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Directions |
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Private land.
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PROJECT STORY
Donating a Conservation Easement – “a priceless gift”
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In 1999, the Whidbey Camano Land Trust signed a conservation easement to preserve 28 acres owned by the Zimmerman and Raymond families on South Whidbey. Steve Raymond, who negotiated the easement on behalf of the families, tells how it happened…
For years real-estate developers and loggers had been salivating over our family land, seeing dollar signs everywhere. The county assessor saw dollar signs, too. Rising property taxes threatened our continued ownership.
A family meeting to decide the future of the property led to a unanimous decision to try to find a way to retain ownership and preserve the land in a natural state. I was nominated to figure out how to do that. Research disclosed that a donation of development rights through a conservation easement could help achieve both goals. It would reduce property taxes and place the land under permanent protective covenants. Further research led to contact with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust.
A member of the Land Trust’s board, visited the property and liked what he saw -- forest, pasture, wetlands, wildlife habitat, views and saltwater beach. The board approved his recommendation to begin negotiations.
One nice thing about a conservation easement is you get to decide what goes in it. You can define in excruciating detail exactly what will and won't be permitted on the property. But this is also a serious responsibility, because in effect you are setting rules for all who will come after you. Your heirs or any other future owners of the property will have to abide by what you say (which is why, if a family is involved, it's a good idea to get everyone's agreement).
It took a dozen drafts to craft the easement document, but when the last "i" was dotted and the last "t" finally crossed, family members gathered with Land Trust board members for a festive signing ceremony. The deed was done; 28 of our 34 acres were placed permanently off-limits to subdivision, development, logging or mineral exploitation.
Property taxes have been reduced to an affordable level and now we are secure in the knowledge we can enjoy our property as long as we live. We also know that, in the words of the easement document, it "will be left in nature's care" for our children, grandchildren and other future heirs.
It's the most priceless gift we could give them. |
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