DNR to acquire acres of Palouse prairie

The Washington Department of Natural Resources took the next step in the long process of acquiring 437 acres of land surrounding Steptoe Butte on Thursday night.

At a public hearing at the Whitman County Library in Colfax, DNR officials examined which arm of the DNR – the Natural Heritage Conservation or the Natural Resources Conservation Areas – should manage the land, or if the land would be better managed by Washington State Parks.

In 2016, Kent Bassett, his late wife, Elaine, and Ray and Joan Folwell, of Pullman, purchased the land for $638,000 for the purpose of preserving one of the largest tracts of natural Palouse prairie in the state.

The group has since decided the best course of action is to make the property public land and sell it to a state agency to manage.

John Gamon, Natural Heritage Conservation manager, who presented at Thursday’s hearing, said historically the agency has managed property in a more conservative manner – allowing less public access in order to maintain as much natural ecosystem as possible.

He said the NRCA has allowed for more public access, typically allowing recreational use of their lands, like hunting and trails.

A large portion of Thursday’s public hearing centered around hunting.

Gamon confirmed Washington State Parks would not allow hunting on the property if they were chosen to manage it.

Joey McCanna, with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, said for many years there has been restricted hunting access on the butte, and it has become one of the most popular hunting grounds in Whitman County. He said the restricted hunting access has had little effect on the ecosystem.

Others voiced their should be no one disturbing the broadleaf plants of the prairie.

Karen Kiessling, of Pullman, said that even if it means people should only be able to view the land from afar, access should be completely restricted in order to preserve the only slice of Palouse prairie left in Washington.

“There should be no multiple use because we cannot recreate it,” she said.

Gamon said after a summary of the public forum is compiled, their team will propose the plan to Hilary Franz, the state’s commissioner of public lands, who will decide if the project should seek grant funding for the acquisition.

Gamon said funding would not be available until July 2019.

Bassett said during Thursday’s meeting he and the Folwells are not looking to make a profit on the sale. Joan said all they truly care about is preserving the land.

Further public comment can be submitted to DNR until end of day June 22.