Title
Approval of Agreement with Nisqually Tribe to Purchase Conservation Easement for Groundwater Protection
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to authorize the Mayor to sign a Grant Deed of Conservation Easement with the Nisqually Indian Tribe and authorize the City Manager to sign necessary closing documents including an addendum to a purchase and sale agreement.
Report
Issue:
Whether to purchase an interest in real property consisting of a conservation easement.
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director
Presenter(s):
None.
Background and Analysis:
The City's Drinking Water Utility has long had an active Groundwater Protection Program focused on protecting the City's drinking water supply. Acquisition of property and/or conservation easements within established Drinking Water Protection Areas (DWPAs) has been one of the strategies implemented by the utility over the years. A key DWPA is associated with the City's newly constructed McAllister Wellfield (see map - Attachment 1).
In 2012-13, the City participated in a Watershed Services Transaction Demonstration Project (Project) coordinated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and involving the Nisqually Land Trust. The Project explored opportunities to retain forest lands to protect groundwater. A key area of emphasis was property surrounding Lake St. Clair, south of the McAllister Wellfield in rural Thurston County.
In January 2015, the Nisqually Land Trust (NLT) entered into a purchase and sale agreement with the Lacey Rotary to purchase five forested parcels along Lake St. Clair (Attachment 2). The five parcels total approximately 40 acres of land. Rather than proceed with a purchase directly, the NLT intends to assign its rights for purchase of four of the parcels to the Nisqually Indian Tribe and one parcel to Andrew Lench, an adjacent property owner. The subject pr...
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