HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCGRANT COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS AGENDA MEETING REQUEST FORM
(Must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board by 12:00pm on Thursday)
REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: gOCC
REQUEST SUBMITTED BY: CEMANELL
CONTACT PERSON ATTENDING ROUNDTABLE: CEMANELL
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: ❑YES ®NO
DATE 8/26/26
PHONE:X2931
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Letter of support for the proposed Land and Water Conservation funded
leased by the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Washington Department of
Natural Resources for the addition to the Columbia National Wildlife
Refuge.
FISCAL / BUDGET IMPACT:
Please contact accounting to complete a Financial Rqquest F-,,prm prior to submi§ n.
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If necessary, was this document reviewed by accounting? ❑ YES ❑ NO * N/A
If necessary, was this document reviewed by legal? ❑ YES ❑ NO R N/A
DATE OF ACTION: fi�" L�
APPROVE: DENIED ABSTAIN
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D2:
D3:
DEFERRED OR CONTINUED TO:
WITHDRAWN:
4/2 3/24
GRANT COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
P 0 Box 37
EPHRATA WA 9BB23
(509) 754-201 1
September 1, 2026
Dear Ms. Staloch,
The Grant County Board of Commissioners is pleased to express its support for the proposed
Land and Water Conservation funded lease by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the
Washington Department of Natural Resources for addition to the Columbia National Wildlife
Refuge.
As the Board of County Commissioners, we recognize the value of conserving natural habitat for
wildlife and the value these protected areas provide through increased opportunities for hunting,
fishing, hiking, wildlife observation, and other forms of outdoor recreation for County residents
and visitors. This acquisition will benefit our community and the region.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Kevin R. Burgess,(a air Rod J0.,eChair Cindy C rter, Member
Kevin R. Burgess Rob Jones Cindy Carter
District 1 District 2 District 3
"TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS9 SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES? WHILE FOSTERING
A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT."
8 Outlook
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge: Letter of Support, DNR Lease
From Staloch, Trina <trina_staloch@fws.gov>
Date Thu 8/20/2026 3:45 PM
To Commissioners <commissioners@grantcountywa.gov>
Cc Parrott, Charles <charles_parrott@fws.gov>; Cypert, Rhetta (DNR) <rhetta.cypert@dnr.wa.gov>
0 2 attachments (3 MB)
CNWR DNR Lease -Support Letter.docx; CNWR DNR Lease Map.pdf,
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Hi Caitlin,
Thanks again for taking my call yesterday. As I mentioned, we're working with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to
update the lease we have with them on a parcel within the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. We've formally leased this tract since
2001. Please share the below request with the Commissioners.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Commissioners Burgess, Jones and Carter,
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposes to continue the lease of a 640-acre parcel within the boundary of the
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Pending acceptance of the lease, the USFWS and Washington State DNR have willingly
collaborated over the last year to update our administrative document. These lands will be open to the public for hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation, and other forms of outdoor recreation.
DNR is supportive of the USFWS continuing to lease and manage this property to align with its larger area goals, protect
public access, and generate revenue for DNR's trust beneficiaries. The leased tract encompasses a portion of Lower Crab
Creek and Morgan Lake Road; both critical to Columbia NWR. The road is a major access road for staff and the public, and
the creek provides valuable water resources to the lower marsh units. A majority of this tract is invaded with cheatgrass due
to fire history, but there are pockets of intact sagebrush that include spiny hopsage. It also includes several cliffs, talus slopes
and basalt rock outcroppings providing habitat for roosting sites, nesting and hunting perches.
USFWS seeks Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) support for these acquisitions. Secretarial Order 3442 requires
written support from the affected local county government for any Federal LWCF leases and acquisitions. I would like to
request this written support from the Commissioners. Please find a template letter attached for your convenience. If
possible, a reply within 30 days would be greatly appreciated.
Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions. I would be happy to come to your office and/or present the
topic at a Commissioner Meeting.
Thank you sincerely for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Trina Staloch
Project Leader, Central Washington NWRC
Hanford Reach NM and Columbia, Toppenish, and Conboy Lake NWRs
64 Maple Street, Burbank, WA 99323
0: (509) 210-2173
C: (320) 241-6230
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