Howard Preserve Expansion Wood River Land Trust & City of Bellevue December 13, 2016

Insert map of Valley

HP is an incredible asset to the County Close prox to city center provides protection for large section of the River provides great educational venue Convenient opportunities for public to interact with and enjoy tranquil nature experience.

History of the Howard Preserve 1972 – Howard family acquires property 2004 – WRLT facilitates bargain sale purchase by the City of Bellevue Annually since 2004 - Public workdays Manage noxious weeds, maintain trails, and perform general clean-up Annually since 2005 – Bellevue Haunted Forest 1,000 visitors over two nights Proceeds benefit Howard Preserve 2010 – Historic dump site on property is remediated with help from DEQ 2012 – WRLT acquires 1.38-acre parcel at the south end of the Preserve LWCF, ID Dept of Parks and Rec, DEQ, The Conservation Fund, Blaine County TDR, Private donations LWCF $ through ID P&R, stipulates that land must be used for public outdoor recreation City of Bellevue completed several projects as part of grant, including: ADA trail and bridge over Canal Installing signage completing an archeological exploration of the old dump site Workday Participants include: Blaine County CWMA City of Bellevue Friends of the Howard Preserve Wood River Land Trust. 2010- Contaminated fill material is removed and replaced. Agreement with DEQ places restrictions on the property. Fence and signage is installed to educate the public.

Before us now, is the opportunity to further the completion of the Preserve by adding an inholding and important land at the entrance

Halverson Property Entering from Main Street on Elm Street, this is the view into Preserve. From Broadford road, you pass between the canal and this property. However you enter the Preserve, at this end, you pass this property.

Gardner Property

Property Characteristics Total of 1.214 acres Inholding and adjacent to both entrances Development potential: 5 residences commercial buildings with 40ft height and 30,000sqft ground coverage Visible from Highway 75 scenic corridor Restoration potential County required a 25ft wide Access Drive along eastern boundary of Halverson to provide access to lots in Block. Since then, Martin Lane has been extended to provide accessDevelopment potential, which could be seen from Highway 75.

Howard Preserve Management Plan & Goals Management Plan goals include ensuring “the values of the native landscape are protected in perpetuity” while also providing “reasonable public access.” Plan Objectives include: Floodplain protection Safe public access Big Wood River water quality Riparian habitat protection Tranquil nature experience Control noxious weeds Prevent negative impact on Irrigation canal Compliance with DEQ objectives 2009 Mgmt Plan agreed upon by project partners. (Values of the native landscape are protected in perpetuity, while also providing reasonable public access.) Call out current plan objectives. Updates to the Mgmt Plan that have been discussed include: Rezoning the Preserve as Open Space or similar Pursuing the vacation of unnecessary ROWS within the Preserve Discouraging non-handicapped parking south of designated parking area Installation and maint of trash receptacle near Canal bridge Streamlining communication between managing partners Emphasis on restoration projects on the Preserve Containing City use of the shop area to present location Working towards relocating the winter snow storage Mgmt Plan update will be finalized concurrent with the completion of this project.

LWWP Proposal Permanently protect riparian habitat near the Big Wood River floodplain Manage property for wildlife habitat and appropriate public access Create opportunities to restore natural resources Expand an existing, successful conservation project Leverage resources from several partners towards conservation benefits

= Project Structure Conservation Outcome Funding Sources LWWP funding request = $174,600 (55% contribution) + WRLT parcels = $129,600 value (41% contribution) Landowner donations = $13,086 (4% contribution) 4 Halverson lots $257,178 value + 1 Gardner lot $60,108 value = Total: $317,286 Total: $317,286

Land, Water & Wildlife Program Partner Involvement Partner Contribution Key Results Land, Water & Wildlife Program $174,600 Permanent protection of highly visible and well-appreciated land in close proximity to Bellevue City of Bellevue Perpetual stewardship of the properties per the Conservation Easement & Management Plan Expansion of an important community asset Wood River Land Trust Land for trade Ongoing stewardship Conservation Easement Opportunities for further restoration projects Landowners Bargain sale donations Protection of property and sufficient compensation Multi-partner project where each partner is contributing according to their abilities.

Project Benefits Habitat and open space protection High visibility, utilization, and community appreciation Prevents intrusion of development near the floodplain Expands a successful conservation project Leverages partner resources Habitat and open space protection High visibility, utilization, and community appreciation Prevents development near floodplain Expands a successful conservation project Leverages partner resources

Vacation of Unopened Streets 3.2 acres of unopened streets within the Preserve City agreed to vacate as part of LWCF grant In process to vacate portions during 2017

Questions?