Kira Erickson reports from the Island County Commissioners work session of Wed., Mar. 6, 2024, for the Whidbey News-Times.
Despite some hitches in communication, the city of Oak Harbor is seemingly on track to receive funding from the Conservation Futures Program to protect a waterfront property from development.
In January, the commissioners considered a pause for the Conservation Futures Program, which provides funding for preserving open spaces, timberlands, wetlands, habitat areas, culturally significant sites and agricultural farmlands within the county.
But during a work session this past week, the Island County commissioners decided to move ahead with funding for Freund Marsh, which consists of three parcels just under four acres. Preservation will provide public access to the land, which is near a beach. The cost of acquisition is $582,490.
They Said It
Commissioner Janet St. Clair suggested the issue could come back to the board at a later date.
“I just want to know that they’re going to do the things we’ve asked for in a timely way and they’ve agreed to the things that we asked, like the tide gate and other things, without asking for future funding,” St. Clair said.
Commissioner Jill Johnson said it was her understanding that the city had finally agreed to accept the money. Public Health staff said they would “workshop” the contract language.
