2020-12-28-minutes-public-works-study-session

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Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners County Code I Title 3 Revenue and ... Page 38 of 41 Washington State Department of Ecology. When no resource data exists for a particular parcel, but the property owner believes that the specific resource is present, the owner may provide to the County a report prepared by a qualified professional specializing in that area of expertise including, but not limited to botanist, wildlife manager, wetland biologist or geologist. The County shall utilize the written report and any comments from the agency in determining whether the parcel is eligible for specific resource points for public benefit. 3. Additional open space value reduction can be obtained for each enhanced resource as listed below. a. Conservation Easement. A bonus for value reduction will be provided when offering conservation that permanently preserves the resource on the property. A conservation or historic easement is a legal means by which a landowner can voluntarily set permanent limitations on the future use of land thus protecting the land's particular attributes. The easement is conveyed, through recorded documents, to a qualifying conservation organization or public agency, but the land remains in private ownership and the owner retains full control over public access. A conservation easement shall include those interests or rights authorized to be held or acquired by RCW 84.34.210 or 64.04.130. Historic easements apply to historically important land areas and to historic structures that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (or are located in and contribute to the historic significance of a National Register Historic District). The easement typically results in a limitation on land development or structure modification which will ensure the ongoing preservation of a historic parcel of land or a historic structure and its setting. If a bonus is awarded for a conservation easement, a bonus shall not be awarded for restoration/enhancement. b. Restoration/Enhancement. A bonus will be provided for restored and/or enhanced resources including, but not limited to, Native American lands restoration, wildlife habitat preservation, and/or endangered species protection. At least one (1) resource must be present in order to qualify for the bonus. Restoration and enhancement plans are required and must be completed and inspected by a qualified professional. If a bonus is awarded for a restoration/enhancement, a bonus shall not be rewarded for a conservation easement. c. A bonus will be provided for provision of public access to natural resource lands such as public forests, trails, streams or lakes. Except as outlined below, public access to the enrolled property and the features and resources contained therein is required. The applicant may determine the method and rules for public access, subject to approval by the Board. Applications for the public access program may include proposed rules for public access, which may include, but is not limited to, not allowing motor vehicle usage, not permitting hunting or fishing, and/or not allowing firearms on the property. If access to the enrolled property involves the crossing of adjacent properties or using a private easement not owned by the applicant, the applicant must supply documentation that the public may cross such adjacent properties to access the enrolled property. Such documentation shall be recorded with the Kittitas County Auditor and shall extend through the life of the open space agreement. The bonus will not be awarded if public access is determined to be detrimental to: i. endangered, threatened, or sensitive plant or animal species verified in the field by qualified personnel from the appropriate agency, or ii. known archaeological, historical, or tribal cultural sites verified in the field by qualified personnel from the appropriate agency. https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/boc/countycode/title03.aspx 12/7/2020