Walk first, vote later
Seeing is believing, and the Spokane Mountaineers say it doesn’t hurt to also walk, smell and listen for reasons to re-approve the Spokane County Conservation Futures Program.
Starting today, members of the 92-year-old club are leading Sunday afternoon hikes that will introduce voters to three prized areas that have been protected since the program was authorized in 1993.
The conservation areas guarantee that even as development continues in the county, future generations will always have open spaces for uses such as hiking, birdwatching, biking, nature observation and wildlife conservation. These areas also provide eye-pleasing scenery that enhances surrounding property values, club members point out.
The Conservation Futures program is funded by a tax that costs property owners in both the city and unincorporated areas 6 cents per $1,000 in assessed value of their property. That’s about $9 per year on a home assessed at $150,000.
To date, taxpayers have provided about $10 million to the program, enabling county officials to leverage another $4.5 million in grants to secure natural areas.
That $14.5 million has been used to acquire parcels at 22 geographic areas in the county and city totaling 4,460 acres, said John Bottelli, County Parks and Recreation Department special projects manager.
The most recent acquisition was 385 acres in the phase-one purchase of land on Antoine Peak southwest of Newman Lake. Another deal is close to closing for a 56-acre undeveloped addition to Holmberg Park in North Spokane.
The Spokane County Commission is asking voters to cast an advisory vote in the November election on whether to continue the Conservation Futures Program. Ballots will be mailed in mid-October to those who vote by mail. They must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 6.
Meantime, the Spokane Mountaineers are leading hikes to introduce voters to three prized conservation areas already preserved by the Spokane County Conservation Futures program. The hikes begin at noon as follows:
Today — McClellan area, 410 acres and lakeshore in the bend of Spokane (Long) Lake south of Tumtum.
Directions: From Assembly Street, drive west on Francis Avenue, which becomes Nine Mile Road, about 5 miles. At Nine Mile Dam, turn left and cross the Spokane River. Follow Charles Road about 5 miles. Turn right on South Bank Road and go 6 miles. Turn right on McLellan Lane and drive to the parking area.
Oct. 21 — Iller Creek area, 876 acres on the south end of the Dishman Hills in Spokane Valley adjoining 170 acres owned by the Dishman Hills Natural Area Association. See directions on Web site or call county parks department.
Oct. 28 — Slavin area, 628 acres, including a restored wetland and 2.5-mile hiking route maintained by the Spokane Mountaineers and Backcountry Horsemen. See directions on Web site or call county parks department.