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KITTITAS COUNTY <br /> DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br /> PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br /> STUDY SESSION DATE: May 11, 2026 <br /> TOPIC: Cle Elum Ridge <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: Direction to Staff <br /> LEAD STAFF: <br /> Arden Thomas <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> Direct staff to finalize proposed letter and provide it to the BOCC office for signature and <br /> distribution. <br /> BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br /> • The Nature Conservancy is working on securing a long-term public landowner for <br /> the approximately 9,700 acres of within the Cie Elum Ridge Vicinity. <br /> • On July 14, 2025 representatives from the Nature Conservancy(TNC), <br /> Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Yakama Nation, and Mountains to <br /> Sound Greenway briefed the Board on two potential ownership options. <br /> • Subsequently, DNR provided written notification that DNR will own and manage <br /> the northern 2/3`d of the property and the southern 1/3 will be owned and managed <br /> by the Nature Conservancy and other partners as a Community Forest. <br /> • A concern with the Cie Elum Ridge project is the continued transfer of private <br /> land to public, especially of"green zone"property, which can be served by a <br /> mitigation bank for legal water availability. <br /> • Kittitas County staff has conducted an initial assessment to identify DNR-held <br /> parcels within green zone areas. It may be possible to petition the DNR to make <br /> these parcels available for private purchase. <br /> • Only an initial analysis has been conducted and additional work is needed to <br /> verify DNR support and finalize the analysis. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> The Nature Conservancy is working on securing a long-term public landowner for the <br /> approximately 9,700 acres of within the Cie Elum Ridge Vicinity. Kittitas County has <br /> consistently raised concerns regarding the cumulative impacts associated with continued <br /> transfers of private land into public ownership. County concerns have included impacts to <br /> the County tax base, the financial burden associated with recreation-related infrastructure <br /> and public services, and the limited supply of privately owned"green zone" lands that <br /> may support future development with mitigation-based water availability solutions. <br /> Page 1 of 3 <br /> Public Works"Work Session Staff Report",May 11,2026 <br />