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

2. Insert map of Valley

3. 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.

4. History of the Howard Preserve
1972 – Howard family acquires property
2004 – WRLT facilitates bargain sale purchase by the City of Bellevue
Annually since 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.

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

6. 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.

7. Gardner Property

8. Property Characteristics
Total of 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. = 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. Questions?