QUILCENE – There will be no timber harvesting on 120 acres of steep slopes above Tarboo Bay – not for the next two years, at least.
Earlier this month, Pope Resources, owner of the 120 acres along Tarboo Bay at the head of Dabob Bay, agreed to delay logging that section of land while conservation groups raise money to permanently protect the area.
“This is the first big step in working cooperatively with landowners to secure long-term protection for one of the finest shellfish bays and salt marsh estuaries in Puget Sound,” said Peter Bahls, director of Port Townsend-based Northwest Watershed Institute.
The non-profit conservation organization is spearheading the project.
Bahls and his colleagues, are seeking grants in the amount of the fair market value of the timber to pay to Pope Resources to keep the 120 acres untouched, said Bahls.
“We are pleased to continue our working relationship with the Northwest Watershed Institute and support their efforts to promote a balanced solution for the protection of the unique watershed of Tarboo Creek and Dabob Bay,” said David Nunes, president and chief executive officer of Pope Resources in a written statement.
“We hope this transaction encourages and supports future efforts to protect this area.”
The conservation agreement temporarily secures a key parcel of private land that was scheduled to be clear-cut.
It is located immediately up the slope from a state-owned natural area preserve and from commercial shellfish tidelands owned by Rock Point Oyster Company on the east side of Tarboo Bay, said Bahls.
In February of 2005, Jefferson County commissioners, shellfish companies and Northwest Watershed Institute urged Pope Resources to hold off on logging to allow conservation groups a chance to purchase an easement.
“There’s no doubt that the large support that we’ve had has helped move this project along,” Bahls said.
“Now that we’ve got the option agreement, we can start working on getting funding.”
