County Plans To Purchase 400-Acre Parcel Along River

What some say is one of the most pristine shorelines left in Spokane County is being purchased by taxpayers under the county’s conservation futures program.

The 400-acre parcel along the Spokane River across from Tum Tum has been owned by Bob McLellan and his family for almost half a century. It was optioned for sale earlier this year to the Trust for Public Lands.

County commissioners approved taking over the option last week and plan to go forward with the $1.1 million purchase.

“Right now in Spokane this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Wyn Birkenthal, the county parks manager who administers the conservation program, which is funded by a property tax levy of six cents per thousand dollars of value.

The McLellan property sits inside a bend in the Spokane River. Surrounded on three sides by the river, the land offers views of surrounding peaks and small islands that dot the river.

Earlier this year, Lola McLellan, Bob’s wife, said the family resisted offers to divide the land for development or sell it in smaller pieces. The area has never been logged.

“It’s so primitive, it’s so special, you hate to change it,” she said in a February article that was published in the North Side Voice.

County Commissioner Phil Harris, who lives northwest of Nine Mile Falls near the land, called the area “where God stopped when he was satisfied.”

It becomes the third piece of land approved for purchase under the program, which came under attack this year by Commissioners Harris and Steve Hasson.

At one time both commissioners wanted to place the conservation tax on the ballot for voter approval. The tax costs owners of a $100,000 home $6 a year. Harris, however, changed his mind after meeting with program supporters.

The McLellan property was placed on the county’s conservation priority list by a citizens committee that ranked land based on beauty, wildlife habitat, pressure from growth and other criteria.

Bob McLellan, 79, was eager to sell because of problems with trespassing and because he was worried about wildfires.

The Trust for Public Lands stepped in until the county could raise the money from tax collections and the future of the conservation tax was secure.

The land is fenced and gated, and when the deal closes, perhaps in six weeks, the public will be allowed access via a reservation system.

After road improvements, Birkenthal envisions maybe some picnic tables or a canoe launch. But the goal is to keep the land largely undeveloped and in its natural state.

Birkenthal sees the purchase as one of the most important services government can offer.

“I’m a strict believer that part of quality of life is access to waterfront,” Birkenthal said. “In most of Spokane County working-class families can’t take advantage of waterfront.

“Look at Liberty Lake. There used to be seven resorts, and now there’s only a county park. At some time the situation will be the same on Long Lake.”

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