Overview

In 2008, 2 projects were awarded funding. The Board of County Commissioners approved the use of up to $207,500 towards the purchase of a conservation easement for Finnriver Farm's 33 acres. This sum includes $4,000 in operation and maintenance costs. The match includes grants from the Washington State Farmland Protection program, the Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection program and private donations. Chimacum Creek runs through the center of the property. "The increasing growth in neighboring counties and loss of regional farmlands, gives Jefferson County a unique opportunity to set a model for healthy rural businesses while preserving vital bottom lands for agriculture, clean water and scenic vistas that bring important tourist dollars to our area," said CF Committee Chair Chris Llewellyn in a letter to the Board. "By conserving Finnriver Farm we can take a step to prevent our area from succumbing to the fate of other vital fertile farming areas in our state," she added.

Also in 2008, the Tarboo Creek Conservation project was awarded $7,500 towards the fee-simple purchase of 24 acres off of Dabob Road. The match is a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Coastal Wetlands Conservation program. The Northwest Watershed Institute is sponsoring this project as part of a comprehensive, long term effort to protect and restore fish, wildlife and water quality in the Tarboo watershed. The project property is one of the few bottom land areas that still support historic Sitka spruce-cedar forest and spring-fed wetlands. An important tributary of Tarboo Creek is also present.