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Forest Compensating Tax Bill Awaits Governor's Signature

The Washington State Legislature recently passed a bill which could save Kitsap conservation projects 10% on land acquisition. This could save millions on the cost to protect 7,000 acres in North Kitsap as well as save on all future forestland conservation projects in Kitsap County.

Property that is in forestland (similar to agricultural land) is charged lower property taxes to retain that use, and the timber harvest is taxed. If a forest property is converted to a different use, a penalty of 10 years of back taxes may be charged. On large lots buyers generally retain the tax exemption on 19 of 20 acres and only pay the back taxes on 1 acre, at the time a home site is developed. Frequently, local government or conservation efforts are the only buyers that actually pay the full tax penalty on the entire property. King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties already have a tax exemption to avoid this conservation tax, and now if the Governor signs the bill, Kitsap and Thurston County will have the same opportunity.

Representative Drew Hansen told the Kitsap Sun that approval of this bill was one of his top priorities. Referring to the effort to preserve the 7,000 acres known as the Kitsap Forest and Bay Project he said, "I think people around here recognize, as former County Commissioner Steve Bauer said, this is not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; this is a once-in-forever opportunity." Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, said the bill got hung up in the Senate because it appeared to affect only a small group and was only moved out of committee on the last day. "It took teamwork," Rolfes said, "but it was very easy to say that everyone wants this."

Kitsap's local Legislative delegation did an admirable job getting this important bill approved, now it just awaits the Governor's signature.

Coalition must move fast to conserve Kitsap Forest and Bay Land

The Kitsap Forest & Bay Project is a community-wide effort to conserve nearly 7,000 acres of forest and 1.8 miles of shoreline on the Kitsap Peninsula. With Port Gamble Bay at its heart, the land has been used to grow trees and produce lumber since 1853. Pope Resources, who owns the land, has allowed the public to enjoy the estimated 60 miles of trails and logging roads for many years, but plans to move out of our urbanizing region. Recognizing the value of their lands for public recreation, open space and wildlife habitat, the company has provided our community an opportunity to conserve the land. But time is running out... on March 28 2012 the one year countdown begins. The option to purchase the land expires in March 2013, with a possible extension to March 2014 (but only if a fully funded offer has been extended). At that time, Pope Resources will pursue other options for disposing of its land.

In NKTA's trail planning, this property is important for the existing network of trails and the desire to conserve natural areas with public access, but is also the proposed location of the future Sound to Olympics Trail. It is NKTA's goal to someday see this property accommodate a paved off road shared use path so that people of all ages and abilities can walk or ride their bikes separated from traffic.

The Kitsap Forest & Bay Coalition is a collaboration of multiple organizations that has mobilized to advance the Project. Working as a group and independently, Coalition Partners support efforts of the Kitsap Forest & Bay Project Principals (Kitsap County, Pope Resources, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, and Suquamish Tribe) and fundraising leader Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy), who is teaming with our local land trust, Great Peninsula Conservancy, to conserve the land. Sandra Staples-Bortner, executive director of Great Peninsula Conservancy chairs the Kitsap Forest and Bay Coalition.

By summer 2012, Project Principals, with the support of the Kitsap Forest and Bay Coalition, plan to submit at least a half-dozen grant applications to various government agencies and funding organizations with the hope of buying the first pieces of property. The North Kitsap Trails Association is one of many coalition partners and is actively involved in planning a series of events and outreach activities for this spring and summer. Please spread the word about this important project and the short timeline. Please forward NKTA's newsletter and encourage your friends who care about conserving this land, to join NKTA and sign up for our email list. NKTA will keep you informed about what you and your friends can do to help keep this land and open space available to the public. Together, we can all help work to preserve the Kitsap Forest and Bay Project. Learn more about the project at www.kitsapforestbay.org.

The Kitsap Forest & Bay Project is targeting 6,690 acres in five large tracts for conservation. This biologically rich landscape includes shorelines, tidelands, wetlands, and upland forests in the Port Gamble Bay watershed and beyond. The five tracts include:

• Port Gamble Upland Block - 3316 acres
• Port Gamble Shoreline Block - 564 acres, including 1.8 miles of shoreline
• North Kitsap Heritage Park Expansion Block - 366 acres
• Hansville Block - 1784 acres
• Divide Block - 664 acres

Please consider adding your organization to the list of Coalition Partners by contacting GPC at 360-373-3500, or info@greatpeninsula.org

Current Kitsap Forest and Bay Project Coalition Partners:

• Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy)
• Great Peninsula Conservancy
• Hansville Greenway Association
• Hood Canal Environmental Council
• Hood Canal Coordinating Council
• Kitsap Audubon Society
• Kitsap Citizens for Responsible Planning
• Kitsap Conservation Voters
• Kitsap County
• Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau
• North Kitsap Trails Association
• Pope Resources / Olympic Property Group
• Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
• Puget Sound Partnership
• Suquamish Tribe
• Sustainable Kitsap
• Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
• West Sound Conservation Council
• WSU Kitsap County Extension

North Kitsap String of Pearls Trail Plan adopted by County

The was officially adopted by Kitsap County November 28, 2011 and is now part of the County Comprehensive Plan. The document has already begun being used to assist County grant applications. Thank you to everyone who provided their ideas and feedback, and to the many volunteers who invested so much time! The plan is available on NKTA's website.

Featured Events

Clean up Port Gamble Shoreline - March 31 and April 2

Unfortunately inconsiderate people have dumped garbage near the shoreline area of Port Gamble Bay. We want the property to look as good as possible when the Great Peninsula Conservancy brings potential grant managers to visit the site on April 4. We are organizing garbage clean-up efforts at 9 a.m. Saturday March 31 and 10 a.m. Monday April 2 (spring break for NKSD students). Bring your gloves and meet Mark or Lynn Schorn at Pope's Gate 1 parking area/trail head. This is the second lot about 1 mile south of Port Gamble on 104, and will be flagged with orange cones.

GPC Spring Dinner - May 10

Join the Great Peninsula Conservancy and friends for GPC's 2nd Annual Spring Dinner Thursday, May 10, at beautiful Kiana Lodge near Suquamish.

The Keynote speaker will be Martha Kongsgaard, the chair of Puget Sound Partnership's Leadership Council. The Partnership is working to restore Puget Sound health and is a key partner in the coalition supporting the Kitsap Forest & Bay Project. Please come to the Spring Dinner and learn more about these efforts.

Taylor Shellfish Farms' fabulous chef Xinh of Xinh's Clam and Oyster House will prepare shellfish hors d'oeuvres. A traditional alder-plank roasted salmon dinner prepared by chef Leon Jones will follow.

Contact mary@greatpeninsula.org, or call (360) 373-3500 for tickets by April 26. Tickets are $75.

NK Heritage Park Work Party - April 14

The Second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.- noon, we run volunteer work parties at NK Heritage Park. Expect trail brush removal (we're battling Scotch Broom!) and trail repair work. Clippers, loppers, Pulaskis (or bladed picks), garden rakes and shovels are the tools usually needed. Meet at NKHP Miller Bay road Parking area. Contact info@northkitsaptrails.org to find out more.

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