PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County is accepting applications to protect open space land through the county’s Conservation Futures Program.
The deadline to submit applications is Monday, March 7.
In 2015, Jefferson County commissioners approved the use of conservation futures funds toward the completion of four projects.
The projects were:
■ The acquisition by the city of Port Townsend of parcels within the Cappy’s Trails area of Port Townsend.
■ A conservation easement on 264 acres of the Bishop Dairy on Egg and I Road.
■ A conservation easement on 29 acres of Midori Farm in Quilcene.
■ The protection of 14 forested acres along the south shore of the Big Quilcene River.
2016 funding cycle
In the 2016 funding cycle, about $187,000 is available for new projects, county officials said in a news release.
Of this amount, up to $28,050 is available to reimburse operations and maintenance expenses for any property acquired using conservation futures funds, they said.
A minimum matching amount of 50 percent of the total project cost is required of the project sponsor.
Sources of match must be noncounty funds such as private contributions, state and/or federal grants, and/or the value of other open space lands linked to the project.
Landowners and citizen groups, as well as local government agencies, special purpose districts and nonprofit corporations within Jefferson County can apply for funds in partnership, as applicable, with a sponsoring organization based in Jefferson County.
Open space lands provide such functions as protecting wildlife habitat and corridors; conserving cultural resources; maintaining natural flood water control; protecting water quality, water supply and soils; enhancing or protecting scenic views; and providing opportunities for education and passive recreation.
The annual conservation futures project application process is overseen by the Conservation Futures Citizen Oversight Committee.
Each spring, this committee evaluates project applications for their public benefit and makes recommendations to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners who, after a public hearing, decide which projects merit funding.
Meetings of the committee are open to the public.
The Conservation Futures Program was created in 2002. It is financed by a property tax levy.
Presentations about the program and past projects are available throughout the year by request to the Environmental Health Department.
For an application, contact Tami Pokorny at 360-379-4498 or tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us.
For more information, see http://tinyurl.com/PDN-conservationfutures.
