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HomeMy WebLinkAbout*Other - BOCCilL�f��3 t IANDS 20120 PROJECT APPLICATIO f This Project to be processed as Expedited, according to Lands 20/20 Standard Operating Procedure Please describe here how this Project qualifies for an exemption See attached email from Rich Finger on importance. 1. Primary Purpose: Check primary purpose of proposed project EJHa OPublic access/recreation only ❑Other - Describe: Click or tap here to enter text. 2. Project Details: Project Title: Frenchman Coulee — Campground and. Rock C imbing Date: 12/28/2022 Prior Application Date: lick or tap to enter a date. County: Grant Region: Project Applicant: Rich Finger Regional Program Manager: Matt Monda Indicate the Wildlife area and unit name where the property will be assigned/managed, or CE monitored. If property will be managed by another entity, describe here: Columbia Basin Wildlife Area, Desert and Gloyd Units External Partners: Click or tap b.ere to enter text. Location: Township: See below Range: See below Section: See below unit Site T R S Parcel Acres Willing to Owner; Value Sell/Trade Quincy Lakes Frenchman Climbing 18 23 20 150440000 159 Yes Quinn; Added rock climbing and camping capacity Area west of Silica Rd SW. Is this project an inholding to the wildlife area (i.e., is the project entirely within the boundaries of a Wildlife Area or Fish Hatchery/Management Area OR bordered on the majority by WDFW lands and/or natural features or other public lands)? Yes Z No ❑ Does this parcel or parcels have public access? Yes N No ❑ Attach location and parcel maps of proposed property: Attached at end of proposal. l 02/24/2022 Project Parcel is indicated by red arrow in the above image. Nearest Town: Moses Lake, Quincy, George, Ephrata Legislative District: 13 Total Project Acres: 159 Type of Project (check all that may apply) NFee Simple acquisition [].Transfer ,C]'Exchange O'Donation D Mitigation lands f Pass through grant - If yes who is the recipient E].Conservation easement Click or tap here to enter text. O'.0ther, please describe Click or tap here to enter text. Potential Source of Funds for Acquisition: Options are limited but need to explore Access Fund (climbing areas), donations (other climbing groups), and RCO. 02/24/2022 Does the Potential Fund Source Require Match, if so, what is the source of match and is the match already secured? Possibly. leo match secured. 3. Project Summary a. Briefly describe the project and include the project's goals and objectives. This project would involve purchasing 159 acres from a willing seller which includes significant rock -climbing opportunities as well as flat space to develop a campground. This project would reduce the crowding that currently occurs at the Feathers and Echo Basin climbing areas in this Coulee by significantly increasing opportunity as well as a better place to camp. b. Describe why the acquisition is important. T.he Babcock Bench area is extremely popular with a variety of recreational groups (equestrian, rock climbers, mt. bikers, hikers, trail runners, hunters, anglers, geocachers, etc.). The bench is a rocky landscape that is largely unsuitable for development but, in a protected state, provides tremendous opportunity to contribute to the local recreational economy. Despite being challenging for development and access, the area is at risk, as demonstrated by the continued housing and cabin development on the edge of Babcock Bench. This site is particularly valuable for rock climbing opportunities and should help to alleviate some of the pressure on the current climbing routes by adding new opportunity. There is also an access easement across WDFW and BOR property to access this parcel, acquiring the property would eliminate an easement. c. Threat or urgency? Describe why this property needs to be protected now. (e.g.,, threat of conversion, to a non -compatible use (e.g., housing, industrial, commercial). The threat of conversion of all these proposed parcels is very real, we've witnessed it in recently and the pace appears to be quickening. d. Describe the property's proximity to publicly owned or protected properties in the vicinity. The property is flanked on 3 sides by publicly owned property, managed by WDFW as part of the Quincy Lakes Unit of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area. 4. Climate Change Briefly answer the following questions regarding how climate change may affect (1) the lands and (potential) on-site infrastructure and (2) the species and habitats on this site. ** Climate Quick Check. Use the checklist below to help determine if the property being considered for purchase may be impacted by climate change over its lifetime. Near a shoreline ... sea level rise? ... flooding? El ® 0 ... erosion or sedimentation? F-1 © El Aquatic ... increased water temperatures? El © El ... diminished dissolved oxygen levels? El ® El ... algal blooms? El ® E ... lower or higher stream flows? El ® El In terrestrial, vegetated habitat ... changes in air temperature El Ix ...declining snowpack? El ... increased winter precipitation / heavy precipitation events? El ... summer moisture stress? ® 1:1 E] ... wildfire? ® El El 3 02/24/2022 ... changes in vegetation composition. X El r_1 a. Climate risks to lands on the site and (potential) supporting infrastructure (all projects) Describe how climate change may affect the land and potential infrastructure that could be developed on the property (e.g., mudslides or landslides on steep slopes, erosion of trails, flooding of low-lying access roads, wildfire damage to signs or kiosks). To answer this question, identify the climate drivers where you answered "Yes" or "Maybe" in the above Climate Quick Check, then cross-reference those climate drivers with the climate impacts in Table Al in the Climate Change Appendix. Please list the corresponding climate impacts that are relevant to the property here. ** This site is very rocky and soils drain well. It is not in an area that is prone to flooding or mudslides. b. Climate risks to species and habitats on the site (habitat/conservation projects) Describe how climate change may affect the fish, wildlife, and habitats present on this property (e.g., sea level rise and the loss of forage fish habitat, contraction of montane wetlands with declining snowpack and increasing summer soil moisture stress, expansion of grasslands following disturbance events on the eastside). To answer this question, identify the climate drivers where you answered "Yes" or "Maybe" in the above Climate Quick Check, then cross-reference those climate drivers in Table A2 in the Climate Change Appendix. Please list the corresponding climate impacts that are relevant to the property here. ** Expansion of grasslands and Reduced vegetation & productivity are potential risks here. c. Resilience (habitat/conservation projects) Describe any landscape context or site -level characteristics that support long-term ecosystem resilience. To answer this question, please reference Table A3 in the Climate Chance Appendix. Done. ** For guidance and resources, please see the Climate Change Appendix, 5. Planning Integration a. Describe how this acquisition is consistent with the WDFW Strategic Plan, WDFW Program Plans (WL Business Plan, WLA mgmt... Plans, State WL Action Plan), and any specific local, regional, statewide, national, or international wildlife plan. The foundational work of the25-year WDFW Strategic Pian includes acquiring safe public access to WDFW managed lands. The Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Plan, 'Improve Access Goal' directs the Wildlife Area to 'Identify and secure easements where needed', `Develop a list of prioritized inholdings to acquire', and 'Identify potential funding for acquisition'. Preserving public access is critical to the national R3 movement to Recruit, Retain, and Reactivate. b. How is the project in compliance with the WDFW Strategic Acquisition Priorities? Click or ta.D here to enter text. Winter Rc:cnge fi)r ungulates in ecisylern Washington aintain .lar e wofki�.o- la.ndsca es 1, �' 3 g t SI rub-stepl)e, Eas{ls icle, Stepl)e, & Jitni1)er Savannah * Lands adjacent to public ownership in Protected status that will increase 11213 , function and resiliency of re i.a.ining core areas (especially those supporting PHS/ESA species) 1, 2a 3 * Lands a.l.orig energy transmission and transportation corridors that protect opportunity for ecolopica.l connectivity i.e.-wildlife over and under oa,sses. 6. Recreational Opportunities 4 02/24/2022 Describe the recreational opportunities afforded by the site, (e.g., hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and/or other recreational opportunity). This site provides recreational opportunities for rock and ice climbing, hiking, biking, geocaching, appreciation of geologic history associated with Ice Age Floods, birdwatching (particularly for peregrine falcon, as well as limited potential for large and small game hunting. 7. Research and Education Describe research and monitoring opportunities afforded by the site. Identify environmental education prospects. None 8. Economics Describe the potential positive or negative economic impacts/roles of the proposed acquisition on local economy, tribes, local governments, or businesses (e.g., working lands-ag, grazing, and forestry, recreation,, and eco -system services). Can only improve economic activity by allowing access for public to recreate in the area and bring recreation dollars to the community. No negative economic impacts anticipated. 9. Financial Opportunity Describe potential for this acquisition project to generate revenue to offset the operations and maintenance costs associated with this property (e.g., working lands., Ag, grazing, and/or commercial uses). None anticipated, we'd likely not allow guides to use this area due to negative comments about guides taking too much space at Feathers. 10. Regulatory Protections Describe the regulatory protections that currently apply to the site (county comprehensive plan, critical areas ordinances., zoning, development regulations,, shoreline management rules, forest practices., HCP,, etc.). None. 11. Ongoing Stewardship/Management a. Estimate the annual costs (including fixed costs, PILT, Assessments, etc.) associated with managing this property and whether an O&M funding source has been identified (consult with potential Wildlife Area manager). $10,000 once a campground is developed. b. Briefly describe known weed infestations and anticipated challenges in managing them on the site. No significant weed issues at this site. Cheatgrass is probably the biggest concern here. c. Are there any structures on the property? Please describe, including information on known condition (e.g., dams, levees, buildings, bridges, boat launches). None. If structures exist what is proposed use? (e.g., demolition, would like to retain and why) ? n/a Does anyone currently reside on the property, or will anyone reside on the property prior to completion of the acquisition? No. Are there any leases associated with the property? Please describe, including desire/intent on continuing the lease post -closing (e.g., Ag, grazing, residential, commercial). None known Are there any known or likely encroachment issues? No Complete section below: 02/24/2022 Topic Yes No If Yes, Describe Is Property Restoration necessary/desired? ❑ ❑X Click here to enter text. Fencing existing/needed f:1 PHS) Water Rights ❑ X Click here to enter text. Existing dams, levees, tide gates? ❑ Click or tap here to enter text. Existing Culverts that need to be addressed Or culverts in injunction area? Click here to enter text. Road Hazard Issues ❑ 1Z Click here to enter text. Hazardous Waste ❑ M Click here to enter text. Safety or Liability Concerns ❑ X- Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. ❑ ❑ Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. ❑ ❑ Click here to enter text. 12. Cultural Resources Are there known Cultural Resources on the proposed property? None known. 13. Partnerships and Local Support Describe current outreach status (outreach could include County Commission, tribal, local community and local conservation partners): a. Landowner contact and outcome (please engage regional or Olympia Real Estate representative to assist with landowner written contact. Willing seller— has signed Landowner Acknowledgement Form. b. Adjacent landowner contact and outcome (are they tribal, off reservation trust land). Click or tap here to enter text. c. County Commission or municipal outreach status and outcome. Click or tc.p here to enter text. d. Tribal outreach status and outcome. Click or tap here to enter text. e. Other contacts made and outcomes. Click or tap here to enter text. f. Any anticipated concerns from others? Click or to here to enter text. g. Known support. Climbing groups. ONLY Habitat/Conservation projects fill out below this line 14. Conservation target species and habitat (Habitat/Conservation Projects Only) a. Fill in the following table for target species. Target species are those for which the acquisition is being pursued (including if the lands represent potential, but currently unoccupied habitat).Click here to enter text. Common Federal and/or Project Benefits Name/Scientific Name State Status (including SGCN, PHS) 02/24/2022 b. Provide a narrative describing local significance and/or importance, and habitat requirements of the species you identified above as target species and describe the quality of habitat at the site that satisfies those needs. Click or tip here to enter text. 15. Ecological Characteristics (Habitat/Conservation Projects Only) Include current land use and habitat characteristics of the land targeted for acquisition. If multiple parcels, describe in general the project target. Include immediacy and type of threat to the site. a. Indicate the relative importance of the site at a landscape level (e.g., it protects large, intact, natural landscapes; it is an identified statewide landscape priority; it contributes to a migratory or connectivity corridor; etc.). b. Describe the ecological systems, if known, including whether any are state ranked as ecological systems of concern. c. Describe how the site is ecologically unique or significant on a global, regional, state, ecosystem and/or watershed level. d. Describe the immediacy of threat (be specific) to species and/or communities. Describe the irreplaceability. .ick or tap here to enter text. Lands Agent Date Regional Director Date Assistant Director Date FOR LANDS 20/20 COORDINATOR USE ONLY • Initiate Tribal consultation per EO 21-02 and Policv 5007 (see question 13d) • Landowner acknowledgement 7 02/24/2022 Additional Information to address urgency of situation: 1) There's an access easement across the wildlife area to this parcel. If the parcel is developed, is bound to create some challenges between the property owner and recreationists who use the road as a trail. All the photos below show the area for sale, it's the flat portion in the coulee. Access also occurs through Bureau of Reclamation land. It's currently operating under a license while they work on an easement. I fear once that easement is recorded the likelihood of sale and development will increase significantly. 2) Development of this inholding would be very detrimental to this landscape and the recreational appeal of the area. 3) This parcel adds significantly to the climbing opportunity here and can help spread out congestion; see Rock Climbing in Frenchman Coulee (Vantage), Central Region (mountaiLaproject.com). 4) This video occurs within the area that is for sale, does the best job of showing what we stand to lose. (17 1) HIKING & EXPLORING / FRENCHMAN COULEE — A Vast Rocky Place of Surprises! - YouTube 5) Public ownership of this property would provide access to additional climbing opportunities on the Wildlife Area that are currently, mostly inaccessible. 8 02/24/2022 Approximate location of the Quinn parcel is represented by yellow rectangle. 02/24/2022 Approximate location of the Quinn parcel is represented by yellow rectangle. 02/24/2022