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April 9, 2018 <br />Adam Draper <br />9015 th Ave, Suite 2200 <br />Seattle, WA 98164 <br />Dear Mr. Draper: <br />Kittitas County, Washington <br />BOARD of COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />District One <br />Paul Jewell <br />District TWO <br />Laura. Osiadacz <br />District Three <br />Obie O'Brien <br />Kittitas County strongly supports Forterra's efforts to conserve working farmland in the Kittitas <br />Valley. We are glad to hear Forterra has not given up on conserving Hairpin Ranch (also known <br />as Rader Road Ranch), and we encourage your submission of another grant application to the <br />WA State Recreation and Conservation Office's Farmland Preservation Program this year. <br />Kittitas County believes that one way to maintain the rural character and way of life in our <br />County is by securing permanent conservation easements in partnership with voluntary <br />landowners. As you know, we have a strong right to farm ordinance, a transfer of development <br />rights program that specifically supports farmland, and a primary planning role within the <br />Yakima Basin Integrated Plan that, among many goals, aims to increase irrigation storage and <br />efficiencies and otherwise support farmers and families in the Yakima Basin. <br />Securing a conservation easement on Hairpin Ranch will have far-reaching consequences for our <br />community. The landowners are a well-respected rodeo family who has owned the land for <br />decades and their commitment to cattle ranching and the local farming community is exemplary. <br />The ranch, located on upper Naneum Creek, contains the largest stretch of creek frontage in the <br />entire watershed and is one of the largest contiguous ownerships in the area. <br />If Forterra is unable to purchase a conservation easement from the owners, they may need to sell <br />several parcels to ensure the long-term viability of the ranch. Protecting this ranch will be a big <br />win for the future of fanning and ranching in Kittitas County. <br />Thank you for your efforts to conserve this strategic property and advocate for working and <br />resource lands in our County. We wish you the best of luck in your grant application. <br />Sincerely, <br />§aOS1ac` <br />Chairman <br />Obic O'Brien <br />Vice -Chairman <br />Pau . ell <br />Commissioner <br />KITTITAS COUNTY COURTHOUSE • 205 WEST 5`', sUITE 108 • ELLENSBURO, WA 98926 <br />(509) 962-7508 . FAX(509)962-7679 <br />www.co.kittitas.wa.us <br />