Pierce County Conservation Futures

Conservation Futures staff is still working diligently on previous projects. There will not be a selection process for 2008.

The program will be undergoing a review process with the first public forum scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 7 pm at the Lakewood Community Center. For more information, please call 253-798-4009.

WHAT IS CONSERVATION FUTURES?

Conservation Futures is a land preservation program for protection of threatened areas of open space, timber lands, wetland, habitat areas, agricultural and farm lands within the boundaries of Pierce County. Conservation Futures funds are used to acquire the land or the rights to future development of the land. Conservation Futures is administered by Pierce County Government.

HOW IS THE PROGRAM FUNDED?

The funding for this program is a State authorized/County property tax. The Pierce County Council enacted the tax and all property taxpayers pay up to six and one-quarter cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of each Pierce County owned parcel. These monies, identified in the budget as Conservation Futures, are budgeted annually by the Pierce County Council.

WHO MAY SPONSOR A CONSERVATION FUTURES PROJECT?

Any individual, who does not have an interest in the land, non-profit group, city, town, or Pierce County agency who wishes to preserve an eligible property can become a project Sponsor and nominate a property for purchase. Property can be the land itself or certain rights associated with the property. The rights may also be given as a gift, grant, bequest, devise (will), or be leased. The seller of the property may retain limited use of the property rights as part of the sale.

PROPERTY NOMINATION PROCESS:

The Sponsor starts the process by completing the Property Nomination application . The sponsor also signs a Sponsor's Affidavit indicating that the property owner is aware of the nomination and obtain a signature from a Receiving Agency on an Affidavit. The nomination application provides more information on this process.transaction.

If the property is selected for purchase, the County makes an offer to purchase on a County Purchase and Sales Agreement. This agreement assigns to the Seller the cost of the Title Report, State Excise Tax, brokers fees and all utilities charged to the proeprty. The County pays for the Appraisal, Escrow fees, document preparation and recording fees.

HOW IS THE PROPERTY NOMINATED FOR PURCHASE?

The Sponsor may pick up the Project Proposal application at the Pierce County Parks & Recreation Administration office. The review process begins in June.

REVIEWOF APPLICATION NOMINATION FORMS AND MATERIALS:

The completed Project Proposal application is submitted to Pierce County Parks and Recreation and is forwarded to the Conservation Futures Program Staff. Each project proposal will be reviewed by the following three bodies:

1. TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE . Seven individuals from County and Municipal backgrounds will review all of the Project Proposals for completeness and content. After review, all complete and eligible projects will forward to....

2. The CITIZENS' ADVISORY BOARD . The Citizens Advisory Board is comprised of 16 individuals representing broad-based interests in Pierce County. The Sponsor makes a presentation to the Citizens Advisory Board in an open public meeting and describes the acquisition attributes. Upon completion of the presentation, each project will be rated, prioritized and forwarded to....

3. The PIERCE COUNTY COUNCIL . The Council will review all Project Proposals and the recommendations of the Citizens Advisory Board in an open public meeting. The Council will identify which project proposals Conservation Futures staff should attempt to purchase.

For additional information contact:
Pierce County Parks & Recreation
9112 Lakewood Dr. SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
(253)798-4009

References: Pierce County Code Chapter 2.96: RCW 84.34.200

Pierce County Parks & Recreation
9112 Lakewood Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499