HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2025-046Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-871
File ID: AB2025-871 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 11/26/2025 Entered by: aharris@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Planning and File Type: Resolution
Development
Services Department
Assigned to: Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee Final Action: 12/09/2025
Agenda Date: 12/09/2025 Enactment #: RES 2025-046
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: aharris i co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution authorizing the Whatcom County Conservation Easement Program staff and
Whatcom County Executive to proceed with the acquisition of one agricultural conservation
easement
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See attached
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
12/09/2025 Council Climate Action and Natural RECOMMENDED FOR
Resources Committee APPROVAL
Aye: 3 Donovan, Galloway, and Stremler
Nay: 0
12/09/2025 Council APPROVED
Aye: 6 Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
emp Absent: 1 Byrd
Attachments: Staff Memo, Proposed Resolution, Presentation
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1211012025
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2025-871)
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 1211012025
SPONSORED BY:
PROPOSED BY: PDS
INTRODUCTION DATE: DF.CEMBER 9
RESOLUTION # 2025-046
AUTHORIZING WHATCOM COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM
STAFF AND WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO PROCEED WITH THE
ACQUISITION OF AN AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT
WHEREAS, Whatcom County government recognizes agriculture and forestry as major
contributors to the local economy and a high quality of life for Whatcom County citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Growth Management Act and the County Comprehensive Plan support the
retention of agricultural and forestry lands of long term commercial significance and encourage
the use of innovative techniques to do so; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #92-002 enacted a property tax levy known as the Conservation Futures
Tax as authorized by RCW 84.34.230 to provide a funding source to assist in acquiring "open
space land, farm and agricultural land, and timber land, and a significant Conservation Futures
fund balance is available for additional farm land protection efforts"; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #2002-054 adopted Whatcom County Code Title 3.25A that authorized
the creation of a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program that offers voluntary farm
agreements that include the purchase of agricultural conservation easements on farmable land
within Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #2002-054 and WCC 3.25A established a Purchase of Development
Rights Oversight Committee to provide review and assistance to PDR staff, and
WHEREAS, The Whatcom County Council adopted the PDR Guidelines through Resolution
#2002-040 which includes specific direction for program administration and conservation
easement acquisitions; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #2018-065 amended Whatcom County Code Title 3.25A to direct the
PDR Program to also offer voluntary agreements to purchase forestry and ecological
conservations easements on working forestlands and important ecosystem areas within Whatcom
County; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #2021-037 amended Whatcom County Code Title 3.25A to change the
program name to be the Whatcom County Conservation Easement Program (CEP); and
WHEREAS, Council, pursuant to Conservation Easement Program Guidelines, must affirm or
modify the properties as submitted by the CEP Oversight Committee; and
WHEREAS, Council has reviewed the application and background materials at a public meeting,
with input by County staff and CEP Oversight Committee members; and
WHEREAS, Council has determined the proposed conservation easement is in accordance with
their policy priorities and the requirements of Title 3.25A and the Conservation Easement
Program Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, The CEP Oversight Committee voted on September 18, 2025 to recommend
approval to purchase an easement on the Steensma property; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has been awarded funding from the Department of Ecology to
contribute to the purchase of the easement and staff are pursuing additional funding opportunities;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that:
1. The Conservation Easement Program proceed with the acquisition of an agricultural
conservation easement on the following property pursuant to the process outlined in the
CEP Guidelines: ACE2025-3 Steensma.
2. The Executive is authorized to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for an easement
on this property, provided:
a. The appraisal is completed and the conservation easement is drafted in
accordance with the CEP guidelines, and
b. The landowner agrees to the offer price and conservation easement conditions,
and
c. Budget authority has been adopted by the Whatcom County Council.
3. Expenditures of Conservation Futures Funds, within budget authority, are authorized to
cover expenses associated with purchase of the conservation easement, including title
search and insurance, appraisal services, easement monitoring, and enforcement fees.
APPROVED this 9thr,r - day of December , 2025
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
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ATTEST-0 <�r� � C `� � �1 � � WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Ca y 1-14a, Counc Clerk Kaylee alloway, Council Cha r
STATE. OF
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APPROVED a� q°f m
Approved by Greg.Greenan by email on 12/04/25
Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney