2023-04-24-minutes-public-works-study-session

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,NOES To IN 4�E � 4Qo� �m FI'ITiI {9 COI All' Kittitas County, Washington BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS District One District Two District Thee Cory Wright Laura Osiadacz Brett Wachsmith April 24, 2023 Darcy Batura Forest Partnerships Manager The Nature Conservancy 110 E First Street Cle Elum, WA 98922 via email: darcy.baturagtnc.org Dear Ms. Batura, Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed Cle Elum Ridge Economic Analysis Request for Proposals. We understand that this analysis is intended, in part, to provide our Board of County Commissioners with additional information to evaluate the proposed transfer of Central Cascades Forest LLC (CCF) Cle Elum Ridge lands to the Department of Natural Resources as a Community Forestl. We have not taken a position on this community forest proposal and appreciate The Nature Conservancy's efforts to support our evaluation of the impact on Kittitas County residents and visitors. The Nature Conservancy (TNC), working in partnership with Yakima Basin Integrated Plan participants, including staff -level county representation and individual County Commissioner feedback, has worked to develop the Cle Elum Ridge Economic Analysis Request for Proposals. Individually, as County Commissioners, Commission members have expressed many of the concerns reflected in the proposed scope of work. These concerns include impacts to our tax base associated with the ongoing transfer of land from private to public ownership and the strain on County resources associated with both the rapid growth in recreational uses and residential housing demand in the Upper County. We appreciate efforts to date to identify sources of on- going revenue to help the County meet these needs, such as potential transfer of lands in the Cabin Creek Forest Legacy grant area to DNR as county state forest lands. To the degree that the proposed Economic Analysis can identify economic impacts and actionable mitigations and responses, this effort will be helpful. 1 The Nature Conservancy (TNC) manages 9,600 acres of forest land on Cle Elum Ridge, which is owned by Central Cascades Forest LLC (CCF). TNC has been working to transfer ownership to an entity, public or private that will maintain conservation values in its management of the lands. The Nature Conservancy, after consultation with stakeholders about potential ownership models, has identified the State Department of Natural Resources as the preferred owner. Under the proposed model, these lands would be managed as a Community Forest on Cle Elum Ridge, essentially expanding the adjacent Teanaway Community Forest. Kittitas County Courthouse 205 West 5"Avenue, STE 108 - Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 962-7508 -FAX(509)962-7679