HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaffReport_Letter to DNR
KITTITAS COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
AGENDA DATE: June 16, 2026
ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve and Sign a Letter for the Department
of Natural Resources.
___________________________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND: During the May 11, 2026 Public Works Study Session,
Kittitas County staff received direction to finalize a letter to
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The letter
requests that DNR staff work with Kittitas County to
identify undeveloped DNR-owned parcels located within
green zone areas in Kittitas County and determine if they
could be appropriate candidates for private ownership. The
letter has been finalized and provided for Board
consideration.
INTERACTION: Public Works.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve and sign letter for the Department of Natural
Resources.
HANDLING: Return one (1) original to Public Works.
ATTACHMENTS: Letter
LEAD STAFF: Arden Thomas, Water Resource Program Manager.
Kittitas County Courthouse ꞏ 205 West 5th Avenue, STE 108 ꞏ Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 962-7508 ꞏFAX (509) 962-7679
www.co.kittitas.wa.us
Kittitas County, Washington
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
District One
Cory Wright
District Two
Laura Osiadacz
District Three
Brett Wachsmith
June 16, 2026
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.
Kittitas County Courthouse ꞏ 205 West 5th Avenue, STE 108 ꞏ Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 962-7508 ꞏFAX (509) 962-7679
www.co.kittitas.wa.us
Thank you for your continued commitment to problem solving and for maintaining strong working
relationships with local partners to address community concerns. We appreciate your partnership and
ongoing collaboration.
Sincerely,
Cory Wright Laura Osiadacz Brett Wachsmith
District 1 District 2 District 3
Cc: Kate Dean, WA DNR Policy Director
Scott McFarland, WA DNR Southeast Region Manager