Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Purchase of a Conservation Easement Owned by the Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation located near Cooper Point RD
NW and 20th Ave NW
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee at their September 2022 meeting passed a motion recommending support for the City to purchase a conservation easement on the property adjacent to Cooper Crest Open Space Park owned by Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation (OCEP).
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing purchase of a conservation easement owned by the Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation located near Cooper Point RD
NW and 20th Ave NW.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing purchase of a conservation easement owned by the Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation located near Cooper Point RD NW and 20th Ave NW.
Staff Contact:
Paul Simmons, Director, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.753.8462
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In 2013, the City acquired 13.37 acres of property to the east of the Cooper Crest subdivision for an open space park. The property contains steep slopes, a portion of a tributary to Green Cove Creek and a short nature trail.
In the summer of 2022, property to the east of the park was logged and subsequently sold to Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation (OCEP). OCEP is a local, community-based urban conservation land trust. OCEP approached the City in August 2022 with a request for Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation (OPARD) to purchase a conservation easement on the 17.4-acre property (Parcel 74202800000) that abuts the Cooper Crest Open Space Park. Funds from the conservation easement purchase will be used by OCEP to restore the forest and trails on the property. The property will be open to the public for trail use.
OPARD has a history of partnering with OCEP at the West Bay Woods site where both entities own abutting properties and work together on stewardship activities.
Climate Analysis:
The proposed conservation easement, in the long term, will restore a forest ecosystem and support carbon sequestration.
Equity Analysis:
The proposed conservation easement expands the amount of land and trail that is available for free public use in the community. The conservation easement also includes a provision to allow a small, trailhead parking area in the future, which would facilitate more people accessing the nature trail that do not live in close proximity to the park.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
This property and its conservation are of particularly high importance to residents of the Cooper Crest neighborhood. OCEP is a community-based urban conservation land trust that has many local members who are interested in the restoration of this property.
Financial Impact:
Funding to purchase the conservation easement for $229,956.00 would be paid for with park acquisition funds.
Options:
1. Approve purchase of the conservation easement.
2. Do not approve purchase of the conservation easement. Restoration activities at the property may take longer for OCEP to achieve.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
Amendment