Conservation Lands Deadline Extended To April 9
The deadline for nominating properties for preservation with conservation futures funds has been extended until April 9.
“The committee wanted to provide citizens with the best opportunity to nominate the crown jewels of the county,” said Steve Horobiowski, a planner with the Spokane County Parks and Recreation Department.
A series of meetings is planned to introduce nominated properties.
Meetings will start with discussion on properties in the immediate area.
The properties nominated on the South Side include 60 acres at 57th and Regal.
“Most of the land in the prairie has been developed. There is a rallying cry to save some of the farming heritage,” said county Parks Director Wyn Birkenthal. “It’s very picturesque.”
The nominations also include 160 sloping acres on Browne Mountain. The land is owned by the state Department of Natural Resources.
“It has as good a view as you can find,” said Birkenthal.
Most of the properties already nominated on the South Side of the city are adjacent to Qualchan Golf Course, including the 24-acre Black property and 14-acre Lackman property.
More than 80 acres on Thorpe Road have been nominated, as well as eight acres in Lincoln Heights and several acres in Albion Heights.
About 70 properties in the city and county have been nominated. Birkenthal said he expects a dozen more will be submitted before the deadline.
More than 70 residents attended a meeting March 18 at the Spokane Main Library to nominate properties within the city limits.
Properties nominated so far in the county range from 18 acres to 3,500 acres.
The city nominations ranged from 80 acres to one acre.
Spokane County residents may nominate property they think should be preserved for its value as wildlife habitat, open space, shoreline area, or for hiking and nature study.
Slides, maps, the name and address of the property owner and details about the property are required for nomination.
Nominated properties will be reviewed and rated by a citizens committee made up of city and county residents.
The conservation futures tax was extended by voters last fall. There is currently $2.5 million in bank.
The county expects to collect just under a $1 million annually during the next five years for a total of $7.5 million.
Lands that will be rated highest include those with wildlife habitat, that are threatened by development or logging, provide a link to other open space, provide water access and have widespread citizen support.
It also helps if the owner of the property is willing to sell.
The property must be presented at one of the scheduled public meetings.
Tours of the highest-rated properties will be scheduled May 31, June 5 and June 13.
On June 24, the citizens committee will develop a prioritized recommendation list. The panel will present it to County Parks Advisory Committee June 25.
For more information, call Steve Horobiowski at 456-4730.
For more information, call Steve Horobiowski at 456-4730.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: LANDS MEETINGS Properties nominated for the conservation futures program will be introduced and discussed at these meetings: Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Mead Junior High Library, 12509, N. Market. Next Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Cheney High School, 460 N. Sixth St. Cheney. April 9, 6:30 p.m., Spokane County Parks and Recreation, N. 404 Havana.