QUILCENE — Jefferson County is negotiating to purchase three residential properties on Rodgers Street and Fremont Avenue in an area that is prone to flooding.
The three properties — one of which is occupied now — are in the Big Quilcene River floodplain.
The properties have a combined area of about 2.5 acres, according to Tami Pokorny, an environmental health specialist for the county.
They have a combined assessment of $294,774, although the final offers to the three owners will be based on both the assessment and appraisals that have yet to take place.
“We will be offering fair market value,” Pokorny said.
“We are not taking anybody’s land.”
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved going ahead with the project during its regular Monday meeting.
It was part of the consent agenda and was not discussed.
The purchase would protect salmon habitat and increase recreational opportunities, Pokorny said.
“This is part of an ongoing effort to preserve the habitat,” she said.
“It will solve a lot of flood-related issues and enhance group recreation in the area.”
Each property includes a house, although only one is occupied and all three have “a lot of flood-related issues,” Pokorny said.
If the purchase occurs, all of the buildings will be demolished and the area restored to a natural state.
Pokorny said all of the landowners are receptive to selling if and when an agreeable price is reached.
The acquisition process does not begin without an indication from landowners that they are willing to sell the property, she said.
“We have them sign a form acknowledging they know we are trying to buy the property,” she said.
“We wouldn’t want them to learn about this from another source.”
Two of the properties are bordered on three sides by county-owned land that was similarly acquired, while the third property abuts land owned by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The full restoration project, with an estimated cost of $690,695, would be funded with grants from the Washington State Conservation Office and the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.
Pokorny said there is no timeline for the project, although the grants have a two-year lifespan.
The county is administering the project in cooperation with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
