Chelan-Douglas Land Trust & Chelan PUD Partnership Announced

CHELAN-DOUGLAS LAND TRUST & CHELAN PUD PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED

Proposed land acquisition would preserve 25 acres of environmentally unique lands

WENATCHEE – At a meeting of the Chelan Public Utility District (PUD), it was announced that the PUD and the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) are partnering to acquire surplus lands from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) that currently fall within the Rock Island Reservoir boundaries just south of the Odabashian Bridge on the Douglas County side.

“This particular parcel of land was once proposed for a highway corridor,” said Dan Sarles, regional administrator for WSDOT. “The state is declaring the land surplus to the Department’s needs and is moving forward with an agreement that would allow the PUD to purchase the land from the state.”

In this process, another approximately 15.3 acres of WSDOT land – 4.3 acres south of the Odabashian Bridge and 11 acres just north of the bridge - that fall within the Rock Island Reservoir boundary will be reviewed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a proposed boundary adjustment  This would remove the PUD project encumbrances from those WSDOT parcels.  If approved by the FERC, the Reservoir boundary would be re-aligned south of the Odabashian Bridge with the existing Apple Capital Loop Trail for approximately .6 miles adding three acres of acquired land to the Reservoir boundary.  Please see attached map.

The CDLT, PUD and WSDOT have been working closely with other stakeholders, including Douglas County, the City of East Wenatchee and the Port of Douglas County to keep them advised of the proposed land transactions.

“This success is the result of significant efforts by local citizens over many years, starting with the Save the Riverfront Committee, and continuing with the "Our Shoreline's Future" group convened by the Land Trust,” said David Visser, Land Trust President. "It would not be possible without the collaboration of the Chelan County PUD and the substantial contribution from a local family who feels strongly about keeping these lands open for conservation and for public access.  I am convinced that successful partnerships between public and private entities will yield benefits for our communities and our region that would otherwise be difficult if not impossible to obtain.”

“Resource stewardship is a high priority for our Commissioners,” stated Jeff Smith, managing director for the PUD’s District Services. “The PUD has been an active participant in the development of the Apple Capital Trail and the extension of that trail to Lincoln Rock State Park, owned by the customer-owners of the PUD and managed by Washington State Parks and Recreation. The acquisition of this property will be a chance to save some special land for the public to enjoy in perpetuity.”

The PUD Commission won’t take any action on this proposed land purchase until a later date.