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07/31/2006: "Land Bank Acquires Two Properties On SJI"

Of the two recent purchases on San Juan Island, one property has significant road frontage along Cattle Point Road, adjacent to American Camp, and the second one, located on Roche Harbor Road, is adjacent to the Land Bank's existing Roche Harbor Road property. "These are great acquisitions not only because they are highly visible, but also because they create new possibilities for the Land Bank," said Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director.


The 68-acre Cattle Point Road property (photo above) includes open fields and unobstructed views across San Juan Channel to Lopez Island and beyond to Mt. Baker. The purchase creates a corridor of connectivity from existing Land Bank acreage to American Camp. The purchase price was $2,000,000. "We envision a connecting trail and possibly leasing a portion of the property for agriculture purposes. I hope that in a year or two this area will be a rich mosaic of working farm fields, woods and diverse vistas where people will enjoy nature and also get to see how small-scale farming operations work," Bormann continued. The property purchase also includes a conservation buyer component. Two or three home sites in the less visible areas will likely be sold to help recover acquisition costs.


The five acre parcel on Roche Harbor Road is located at the outflow of the Beaverton Valley Marsh. (photo above) "Acquiring this property was extremely important for our goal of restoring the Marsh," said Bormann. "It is the most significant freshwater wetland in the county." The Land Bank is working with Ducks Unlimited and adjacent property owners to help eradicate invasive Reed Canary grass from the site and restore native vegetation and wildlife. This will mean holding water in the marsh a little longer each year. To accomplish this, Ducks Unlimited is planning to put a water control structure near the road. The restoration will be done in conjunction with public access to the larger 128-acre Roche Harbor Road property. The Land Bank may also lease a portion of the larger northern property for agriculture. The purchase price was $220,000 and is expected to be reimbursed through existing grants targeted for wetland restoration. (click below to read "About The Land Bank")

About the San Juan County Land Bank
In 1990, San Juan County voters approved funding for the San Juan County Land Bank through a one percent real estate excise tax. This tax is paid by purchasers of property in the County. Land Bank funds are set aside expressly for the purpose of preserving the scenic and natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. Through conservation easements or outright purchases, the Land Bank protects special properties in the County. These may be shorelines, wildlife habitat, woodlands, wetlands, homesteads, or farmland. The Land Bank has protected over 3,100 acres of important conservation lands throughout the San Juan Islands. For more information, contact the Land Bank at 378-4402