2026-05-11-minutes-public-works-study-session

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AUES.. rp TOY k R� rrITAS COC>NTY May 11, 2026 Kittitas County, Washington BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS District One District Two District Three Cory Wright Laura Osiadacz Brett Wachsmith Dave Upthegrove Commissioner of Public Lands 1111 Washington Street SE mail Stop 47001 Olympia, WA 98504-7001 RE: Cle Elum Ridge Property Transfer and Green Zone Parcel Considerations Dear Commissioner Upthegrove, We appreciate the thoughtful engagement your department has demonstrated in discussions regarding the future ownership and management of the Cle Elum Ridge property, particularly with respect to County concerns about recreation -related infrastructure impacts and the effects of continued private - to -public land transfers on the County's tax base. Given the magnitude of this transaction, the fact that approximately 73% of Kittitas County is already in public ownership, the ongoing service demands associated with recreation on public lands, and the inclusion of extensive green zone properties in this transaction, the County continues to carefully consider the long-term economic implications associated with reductions in privately owned land. In particular, maintaining the tax base necessary to support critical governmental services remains an important consideration for the County and other local taxing districts. These considerations are especially significant given that water right mitigation constraints already limit the availability of land capable of supporting future development. The County's concern regarding green zone properties is heightened by the limited availability of land that can support development requiring water, due to water right mitigation constraints in significant portions of the County. Green zone properties are lands with access to legal water mitigation that can support new water uses. This contrasts with the nearly 40,000 acres of red zone property in private ownership that are essentially undevelopable due to the unavailability of suitable water rights to mitigate new uses. The transfer of additional green zone lands into public ownership further reduces the already limited inventory of potentially developable private land. As you have previously communicated, DNR intends to manage the Cle Elum Ridge lands transferred into your ownership as Trust Lands for commercial harvest, generating revenue for the County and other taxing districts. We appreciate DNR's commitment and responsiveness to our concerns. We also respectfully request that DNR work with Kittitas County staff to identify undeveloped green zone parcels currently owned and managed by DNR that could potentially be made available for private purchase. An initial review of DNR ownership suggests there may be several parcels that could have a higher and better use as developed property, contributing to the County's tax base. Thank you for your continued commitment to problem solving and for maintaining strong working Kittitas County Courthouse - 205 West 5'Avenue, STE 108 - Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 962-7508 FAX (509) 962-7679 www.co.kiftitas.wa.us