ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - MINUTES OF MEETING

REGULAR SESSION  – MAY 14, 2001

 

The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session on May 14,  2001 beginning at  9:30 a.m. in the   Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, Coupeville, Wa., with   William F. Thorn, Chairman;  Mike Shelton, Member; and Wm. L. McDowell, Member, present.

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board, as well as the April payroll:

 

Voucher (War.) # 98874 - 98970 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 563,047.76.

      

Veterans Assistance Fund: [emergency financial assistance to certain eligible  veterans; names/ specific circumstances are confidential].   By unanimous motion, the Board denied Veterans Assistance claim #V1-13 as recommended by the Veterans Assistance Review Committee.

 

Employee  Awards

Employee Service Awards

            GSA                             Ed Rodgers  [Bud]                                5/1/91               10

            HEALTH                     Susan Wagner                                       5/14/91             10

            PROS. ATTY               Dave Jamieson                                      5/8/76               25

            ROAD                         Jerry Martin                                          5/6/96                 5

            SHERIFF                     Chris Ellis                                             5/17/86             15

                                   

Employee of the Month – March and April, 2001

 

MARCH, 2001    

Deputy Rob Hardcastle, Island County Sheriff's Department, was selected  as the Employee of  the Month for March.  Deputy Hardcastle received an overwhelming number of nominations associated with his efforts on March 27th when he and a Skagit County Deputy successfully saved a woman from jumping from Deception Pass Bridge.  Deputy Hardcastle has  regularly been cited by citizens for his helpful and courteous service while on duty throughout the County.  His demeanor and dedication are a credit to himself and the County.

 

APRIL, 2001

Brad Hanson was selected  as the Employee of the Month for April. He is an  Equipment Operator at the Camano Road Shop, and is  recognized as an individual who goes out of his way to assist people or to see that a job is done correctly the first time.  Whenever out on a job in the County, he is always alert for things that need attention and he regularly offers suggestions that enhance the safety and appearance of our County Roads.

 

SPECIAL APPRECIATION ACKNOWLEDGED

Commissioner McDowell extended an extra special  thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Board to Dave Jamieson, Caroline J. Morse,  Debbie Thompson,   Greg Banks, Arne Denny and  Sharon Waltrip in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, who turned out to move books to the Law Library.   Thanks also to Paul Messner and his  Maintenance Crew and Staff  who brought in s tables in moved  extra book cases out.  The Board is also very appreciative to  Larry Kwarsick for his patience and help in resolving the Law Library problems.

 

Resolution #C-72-01   Proclaiming May 15 as Peace

Officers’ Memorial Day and May  13 - 19 as Peace Officers’  Week

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Resolution #C-72 -01  In the Matter of Proclaiming May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and May  13 through 19 as Peace Officers’  Week.  Sheriff Hawley expressed appreciation for the Board’s recognition and taking the time to issue the Proclamation.  

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

In the Matter of Proclaiming May 15 as         }           P R O C L A M A T I O N

Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and May        }           RESOLUTION #C-72-01

13 through 19 as Peace Officers’  Week.        }

 

            WHEREAS,   law enforcement professionals of Island County work devotedly and selflessly on  behalf of  residents and visitors, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves; and

 

            WHEREAS,  Deputy Sheriffs, Deputy Marshals and Police Officers have safeguarded the lives and property of their fellow citizens; and

 

            WHEREAS,  enforcement of our laws by  these same Deputy Sheriffs,  Deputy Marshals and Police Officers provides a feeling of safety,  stability and a high quality  of life within Island County; and

 

            WHEREAS,  these men and women by their patriotic service and  dedicated efforts have earned the gratitude of the County:

 

            Now, therefore,  we,  the Board of Island County Commissioners, hereby proclaim: 

 

(1)           May 15, 2001  is  Island County Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in honor of the Federal, State, County and municipal Peace Officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty, and in special tribute to Island County Deputy Sheriffs Bill Heffernan and John Saxerude, who were killed in the line of duty in Coupeville, Washington on November 14, 1987;  and

 

(2)           May 13 through 19, 2001,  is proclaimed  Island County Peace Officers’ Week in recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, stand guard in our midst to protect us through enforcement of our laws;  and

 

(3)           The governments of Island County, its  communities and people are encouraged to    join us in this observance by seeking knowledge and understanding of public safety issues; and

 

(4)           All  flags at Island County facilities will be  displayed at half-staff on May 15, 2001 in  recognition of Island County Peace Officers’  Memorial Day, in keeping with Public Law 103-322  saluting National Peace Officers Memorial Day by similar display of the flag of the United States.  

 

                        ADOPTED this 14th  day of  May, 2001.

 

                                            BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                             ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

                                             William F. Thorn,  Chairman  

                                             Mike Shelton,   Member

                                          Wm. L. McDowell, Member

 

ATTEST:    Margaret Rosenkranz,  Clerk of the Board

BICC 01-318

 

Draft Memorandum of Agreement between the NWAPA and Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties  Reviewed

 

The Commissioners discussed briefly a draft  Memorandum of Agreement between the Northwest Air Pollution Authority  (NWAPA) and Whatcom,  Skagit and Island Counties with regard to outdoor burning regulations.  With the  census, Island County  unincorporated population is below 50,000, but there are still  permitting requirements placed for large back-yard fires and land clearing.  Betty Kemp, Director, GSA, was asked to provide the draft to legal counsel for review and comments.

 

HEARING HELD:  Resolution #C-55-01,  Supplemental Appropriation

to  2001 Island County Fund Budgets

 

As scheduled and advertised, a Public Hearing was held to consider Resolution #C-55-01, a  Supplemental Appropriation to the following 2001 Island County Fund Budgets:  Current Expense Fund, Alcohol & Substance Abuse Fund, Public Health Pooling Fund and Public Works Fund.  At the time of public hearing, no comments either for or against said supplemental appropriation were made by members of the public.

 

The Board by unanimous motion adopted Resolution #C-55-01 as presented.

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF DECLARING A SUPPLEMENTAL

)

 

APPROPRIATION TO THE FOLLOWING 2001 ISLAND

)

 

COUNTY FUND BUDGETS:  CURRENT EXPENSE

)

 RESOLUTION  C-55-01

FUND, ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE FUND,

)

 

PUBLIC HEALTH POOLING FUND and PUBLIC WORKS

)

 

FUND

)

 

 

            WHEREAS,  the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services has awarded a Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant to establish an Alternative to Detention Community Work Crew program to Island County for the 2001 Current Expense Fund, Juvenile Court Services Grants budget in the amount of $20,121, and

 

            WHEREAS,  the State of Washington Department of Health has awarded grant  funding to Island County for the 2001 Alcohol/Substance Abuse Fund budget in the amount of $32,408, and

 

            WHEREAS,  the State of Washington Department of Health and Department of Ecology have awarded grant  funding to Island County for the 2001 Public Health Pooling Fund budget in the amount of $51,675,  and

 

            WHEREAS,  the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, Office of Community Development has awarded Grant funding for a Community Development Block Grant, Planning Only Grant  for a proposed South Whidbey Intergenerational Neighborhood Facility to Island County for the 2001 Public Works Fund, in the amount of $29,410,  and

 

            WHEREAS,  there is a need to recognize this funding to allow expenditures in excess of the 2001 budgets heretofore authorized by the Board of Island County Commissioners as shown on Exhibit A; and

           

            WHEREAS, RCW36.40.100 requires that a public hearing be held prior to adoption of supplemental appropriations;  NOW THEREFORE

 

            BE IT RESOLVED, that a public hearing be held at the hour of  9:55 a.m. on the 14th day of  May 2001, at the usual meeting place of the Board in Coupeville to consider these proposed supplemental appropriations.

 

            Adopted this 23rd day of April, 2001.

 

Board of County Commissioners

 

Island County Washington

                                                                                                                                Wm. L. McDowell, Member

                                                                                                                              William F. Thorn, Chairman

                                                                                                                                Mike Shelton, Member

Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

BICC 01-262

 

             IT IS HEREBY APPROVED AND ORDERED that the amounts shown on Exhibit A be appropriated and distributed as shown within the 2001 Island County Current Expense Fund, Juvenile Court Services Grants budget, Alcohol & Substance Abuse Fund budget, and Public Health Pooling Fund budget.

 

            ADOPTED this 14th day of May, 2001.

 

Island County Washington

                                                                                                                                Wm. L. McDowell, Member

                                                                                                                              William F. Thorn, Chairman

                                                                                                                                Mike Shelton, Member

Margaret Rosenkranz, Clerk of the Board

               

                [Exhibit A on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

HEARING HELD:  Resolution #C-56-01,  Emergency Appropriation in  2001 Fund Budgets:  Current Expense Fund, Mental Health Fund, Capital Facilities (Reet 2) Fund, and Conservation Futures Fund

 

As scheduled and advertised, a Public Hearing was held to consider Resolution #C-56-01, an emergency appropriation  in the following 2001 Fund Budgets:  Current Expense Fund, Mental Health Fund, Capital Facilities (Reet 2) Fund, and Conservation Futures Fund.   At the time of public hearing, no comments either for or against the emergency appropriation  were made by members of the public.

 

The Board by unanimous motion, adopted Resolution #C-56-01 as presented.

 

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

)

 

IN THE FOLLOWING 2001 FUND BUDGETS: CURRENT

)

RESOLUTION  C-56-01

EXPENSE FUND, MENTAL HEALTH FUND, CAPITAL

)

 

FACILITIES (REET 2) FUND, and CONSERVATION

)

 

FUTURES FUND

)

 

 

                WHEREAS,  it appears that an emergency (legislative definition) exists in the following 2001 Island County Fund budgets that could not be foreseen when those budgets were adopted;  Current Expense Fund, Mental Health Fund, Capital Facilities (REET 2) Fund, and Conservation Futures Fund, and

 

                WHEREAS, additional funding sources have been identified for various projects and expenditures for these Funds per the Attached Exhibit A, and

 

                WHEREAS,  funds need to be recognized in these budgets in the following amounts, Current Expense Fund budgets $122,912, Mental Health Fund budget $6,000, Capital Facilities (REET 2) Fund budget $49,528 and Conservation Futures Fund budget $244,921 to cover these expenditures,  and

 

                WHEREAS, RCW36.40.140 requires that a public hearing be held at which any person may appear and be heard for or against this proposed emergency appropriation, NOW THEREFORE

 

                BE IT RESOLVED, that a public hearing be held at the hour of  9:55 a.m. on the 14th day of May, 2001, at the usual meeting place of the Board in Coupeville to consider this proposed emergency appropriation to the 2001 Island County Current Expense Fund budgets, Mental Health Fund budget,  Capital Facilities (REET 2) Fund budget, and Conservation Futures Fund budget as shown on Exhibit A.

 

ADOPTED this 23rd day of  April, 2001.

 

 

Board of County Commissioners

                                                                                              Island County Washington

                                                                                                           William F. Thorn, Chairman

                                                                                                           Mike Shelton, Member

Margaret Rosenkranz, Clerk of the Board                                   Wm. L. McDowell, Member

BICC 01-263

 

                IT IS HEREBY APPROVED AND ORDERED  that the amount of $122,912 for Current Expense Fund budgets, $6,000 for Mental Health Fund budget, $49,528 for Capital Facilities (REET 2) Fund budget, and $244,421 for Conservation Futures Fund budget  be appropriated and distributed as shown within the 2001 Island County Fund budgets per attached Exhibit A.

 

ADOPTED this 14th day of  May, 2001.

                                                                                            Board of County Commissioners

                                                                                            Island County Washington

                                                                                            William F. Thorn, Chairman

                                                                                            Mike Shelton, Member

Margaret Rosenkranz, Clerk of the Board                    Wm. L. McDowell, Member

 

                [Exhibit A on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

REAPPOINTMENTS TO ISLAND COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

 

By unanimous motion, the Board reappointed C. R. “Dick” Horgan, Freeland, and Maxine Cray, Oak Harbor, to a three year term expiring May 31, 2004, on the Board of Equalization.

 

Research Agreement K004431-07 (RD) Between the Regents of the University of California and Island   County/Island County Marine Resources Committee (RM-EXT-01-0038)

 

Based on information in a  May 9th memo from Don Meehan, and contract review by the Risk Manager and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, the Board by unanimous motion  approved Research Agreement #K004431-07 (RD) [RM-EXT-01-0038] between the Regents of the University  of California and Island County/Island County Marine Resources Committee, covering a small part of the Island County Marine Resource Committee’s Nearshore Project.

[BICC –01-323]

 

Contract RM-CENT-01-0039, State of Washington Interlocal Cooperative Agreement ICA-2001-255

 

Contract RM-CENT-01-0039, State of Washington Interlocal Cooperative Agreement ICA-2001-255, Office of the Administrator for the Courts,  was approved by unanimous   motion of the Board, as presented and explained by Cathy Caryl, Central Services Director, reviewed at Staff Session on May 2, 2001.   Agreement is required as part of the 2001 Equipment Replacement project per Island County’s request to receive reimbursement for the local purchase of personal  computers for Superior and District Courts  instead of JIS provided PC’s.   [BICC 01-320]

 

Special Occasion Liquor License #368785 by Island Arts Council

 

Application for Special Occasion Liquor License #368785 by Island Arts Council  for an event to be held at Island Greens Golf Course, French Road, Clinton, was approved by unanimous motion of the Board, having received recommendations of approval from the  Island County  Sheriff’s Office and the County Health Department.

 

Application for Department of Ecology Community

Litter Cleanup Program Funds

 

By unanimous motion,  the Board authorized Application on behalf of Island County for  Department of Ecology Community Litter Cleanup Program Funds, as outlined in a memorandum from Janet Hall, WSU Extension Service.

 

Contract Amendment:  HS-09-00(2), Center for Community Support

 

The Board by unanimous motion, approved Contract HS-09-00 Amendment #2, between Island County and the Center for Community Support, in the amount of $10,000, bringing the new contract total to $56,156.00, providing technical assistance and training for Developmental Disabled and Mental Health programs. 

 

Release of Surety Bond – Darryl Jones (Sun Mountain Construction) – Completion of requirements for CGP 122/00

 

Larry Kwarsick, Public Works Director,  recommended release the  Surety Bond posted in the amount of $47,700  by Darryl Jones (Sun Mountain Construction) inasmuch as requirements have now been completed  for CGP 122/00,  Parcel 197-0650 & 307-0270, Sec. 29- 32-3, relying  on the County Engineer’s  review of  the variety of documents and status of work on the project as stated in his memorandum of May 11, 2001.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved release of Surety Bond in the amount of $47,700  by Darryl Jones (Sun Mountain Construction).

 

Lead Entity Grant Application – Development of Salmon Recovery Strategy Plan

 

The Board, by unanimous motion, authorized and signed  submittal of Lead Entity Grant Application for the development a of Salmon Recovery Strategy for  WRIA 06, Island County.  

 

VEHICLES PARKED ON ROAD RIGHT OF WAY

 

In response to Commissioner McDowell’s inquiry,  Commissioners Thorn and Shelton expressed a willingness to review and consider a policy  for  vehicles  continually parked without moving for weeks on end on the road right-of-way that the Sheriff be authorized to tow said vehicles,  inasmuch as the County has an obligation to maintain the road rights of way.

 

HEARING HELD:  Ordinance #C-54-01  (PLG-010-01)Technical Amendments - Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Plan Map and the Island County Zoning Atlas

 

A Public Hearing was held on Ordinance #C-54-01  (PLG-010-01)Technical Amendments to Island County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Plan Map and the Island County Zoning Atlas.  Parcels R23125-010-0450, R23136-495-0850 and R23136-503-1150  (Map #508)  [ introduced April  16, 2001 and scheduled for  this date and time [GMA #6492].

 

Attendance:

 

Staff:                               Phil Bakke, Planning and Community Development Director

                                       Jeff Tate, Planning Manager

 

Public:                             3  [Attendance Sheet GMA #6522]

 

Mr. Tate summarized the three technical corrections contained in proposed Ordinance #C-54-01.  The map [Exhibit A] helped to explain what it looks like now and the need for the technical  correction.   The three  parcels  located in the SW portion just south of West Camano Drive, Camano Island, extend a few hundred feet to the south of the quarter section line.  The quarter section map had been  drawn  with the zoning boundary line bisecting these parcels.  The ordinance corrects the error when the quarter section map was drawn. 

 

No members of the public commented either for or against adoption of Ordinance #C-54-01 at the time the Chairman called for public input.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Ordinance #C-54-01  (PLG-010-01)Technical Amendments to Island County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Plan Map and the Island County Zoning Atlas,   Parcels R23125-010-0450, R23136-495-0850 and R23136-503-1150  (Map #508).  [Ordinance #C-54-01 as adopted entered as GMA record #6523]

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

IN THE MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE ISLAND COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP AND THE ISLAND COUNTY ZONING ATLAS.

)

)         ORDINANCE C- 54-01

)             PLG-010-01

)

)

)

WHEREAS, on September 28 and 29, 1998, the Board adopted the County’s GMA Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations; and

WHEREAS, by Ordinance C-123-98, the Board also adopted Chapter 17.03 ICC as Island County’s official Zoning Code to implement its GMA Comprehensive Plan with the Zoning Atlas as the Official Zoning Map of Island County; and

WHEREAS, certain technical amendments to the Future Land Use Plan Map and the Zoning Atlas have been identified to ensure that the zoning designations are consistent with the County Wide Planning Policies.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED that the Board of Island County Commissioners hereby adopts certain technical amendments attached hereto as Exhibit A to the Island County Zoning Atlas (Exhibit C to Ordinance C-123-98).

Reviewed this 16th day of April, 2001 and set for public hearing at 10:45 a.m. on the 14th  day of  May, 2001.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

William F. Thorn, Chairman

Mike Shelton, Member

Wm. L. McDowell, Member

ATTEST:  Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board            BICC 01-259

 

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of May, 2001. 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

William F. Thorn, Chairman

Mike Shelton, Member

Wm. L. McDowell, Member

ATTEST:

Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

    [Exhibit A on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

Ordinance #C-51-01  (PLG-008-01)  Amending Chapter 17.02 ICC related to certain provisions of the County’s Critical Area Regulations (17.02.110.C).  Deletion of Blue Flag Iris as protected species

in favor of alternative regulatory methods

 

A Public Hearing was held as scheduled and advertised [introduced  April 9, 2001; entered as GMA #6490]  to consider Ordinance #C-51-01  (PLG-008-01)  Amending Chapter 17.02 ICC related to certain provisions of the County’s Critical Area Regulations (17.02.110.C).  Deletion of Blue Flag Iris as protected species in favor of alternative regulatory methods.

 

Attendance:

 

Staff:                               Phil Bakke, Planning and Community Development Director

                                       Jeff Tate, Planning Manager

 

Public:                             Steve Erickson, WEAN  [Attendance Sheet GMA #6522]

 

Mr. Tate provided a brief summary with regard to the process of determining what plant species should be nominated as Special of Local Importance.   This is not a substantive change, that having already taken place at a prior hearing with action to take the Blue Flag Iris out of the proposed amendment to the Critical Areas Ordinance and allow it to be protected under other forms of regulation.  The proposed ordinance is in follow-up and carries out intent of that  prior decision.     The Board through a number of hearings narrowed the list down to the Blue Flag Iris and the  property owners in the Grasser’s Hill area where the Blue Flag Iris is  known to be located preferred to protect the plant through amending the  scenic easement already in place through the National Park Service – Ebey’s Landing National Historic  Reserve.     One of the nomination criteria for the species  and habitats of local importance requires a  finding that  there are no other forms of protections in place; if there is, then the plan would not meet the nomination criteria.  Given that the property owners are amenable to amending that existing scenic easement to include a management plan for the Blue Flag Iris, it no longer needs to be included in the County’s Critical Areas Ordinance as a species of local importance.   At  the time the Board took action to remove the Blue Flag Iris from the list of fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, and the Board chose not to adopt Blue Flag Iris as a listed species in the Critical Areas Ordinance.   There were other sections  of Island County Code  within subsections of the fish and wildlife habitat conservation  area  where the Blue Flag Iris is listed that need to be removed in order to reflect intent, including protection standards.

 

In talking with Rob Harbour, Manager, Ebey’s Trust Board, to determine progress on amending the scenic  easement, Mr. Tate was advised that Mr. Harbour met with the property owners several times and in concept had all agreed to an easement.  Language has been prepared and is now with the Trust Board’s solicitor in Portland for review and approval and Mr. Harbour expects to have that back shortly.  Once Mr.  Harbour  receives the approved easement all of the property owners will need to sign the easement.  Given there are some 9 or 10 property owners, it may not be possible to have the easement signed by June 1st .  Mr. Harbour was very optimistic and did not see any problems with that.   Although he had not seen the proposed easement language, Mr. Tate did talk with them about the concepts and what needed to be in the easement language and management plan.  There will be a general statement about access to the property and more specifics to be included in the  management plan.

 

Steve Erickson, representing himself and Whidbey Environmental Action Network [WEAN], was concerned that there was no easement in place yet and that the County did not have the  actual language to review to see what the goals are of the easement and the management plan and what  it provides for.    He said that on other species, losses are continuing and predictable, and that  Island County was being set up to be part of a much larger problem of region wide species extinction’s.    He has been told that the species WEAN proposed for protection are much more common than he indicated from his field work and he challenged  each Commissioner to tell him  where these species have been seen.   He did not think that the easement would include a large enough area to protect the plant community of which the iris is a part.  Outside the easement on Grasser’s Hill is a location that probably provides suitable habitat for the iris, that has the largest most densest and abundant population of Chocolate Lilly, and that property is currently up for sale for residential development, and  believed when that site is lost well over 95% of all the Chocolate Lilly on Whidbey Island will be gone.   Through this entire exercise it was his opinion that the County Commissioners had done their  utmost to make sure nothing done would have any substantive impact that would result in actually protecting the plants.

 

Commissioner  Shelton disagreed with that statement, reminding that what the Board directed at the last hearing was that Ebey’s Landing Historic Reserve in conjunction with Island County and the property owners get together to develop and institute a  protection plan for the Blue Flag Iris, and that is in the  process of being done as Mr. Tate has explained.     Because protection standards already exist for the Blue Flag Iris, a management plan is being developed.

 

And Mr. Tate pointed out  that the goal itself did not need to be  amended because the goal of the easement language already addresses protection of the  Blue Flag Iris.  Another point was made by Mr. Bakke who confirmed that if the easement language does not get approved, the Board has already committed to revisiting the issue. 

 

Mr. Tate mentioned although there was a  June 1st date,  there also is an  August 31st date that establishes  the date the management plan  will be in place, and   The Nature Conservancy, Au Sable, Historic Reserve,  and County  Planning staff  are working together to develop a management plan.  Although all the property owner signatures may not be obtained on the easement by June 1st, the August 31st date is the date when everything should be done [refer to Finding #17].  Given what he has seen, Mr. Tate described it as one of the most positive  experiences of listing any type of species or feature for protection; people are willing to do it; a very optimistic and encouraging environment.  Mr. Bakke added that recruiting these folks to be partners with the County  and the Preserve has proven to be a very effective method.   

 

Mr. Erickson agreed it was a great idea if it happened and if provisions  of the easement guaranteed  scientifically rigorous management of the iris to result in its persistence over time.  From information he submitted previously, he  noted that the population since 1992 has been reduced by 60% in the area it occupies.  All the area outside the current easement has been wiped of the iris so it is an already severely reduced population. 

 

On the contrary, Mr. Tate pointed out that the property owners in the area submitted information that the population was not reducing in size.  Regardless of whether the population is or is not reducing in size, a management is being developed to make sure the plant stays there.  The County is on record as having committed to provide for some possible transplant sites County-owned and  Au Sable Institute has committed to that, and it is recognized there are certain conditions that the plants need.   The NAS Whidbey biologist stated that the Navy would like to be part of this program and told the County they had reported but not verified the Blue Flag Iris on the Naval Base. 

 

While Mr. Tate made the comment that the property owners think the Blue Flag Iris population may have increased, Mr. Erickson stated that none of the property owners were there in 1987 when he started monitoring it; all the houses were built since then.  He made the statement that it “is indisputable that the area outside of the park service  easement where the iris used to occur it no longer occurs”.  Sixty percent of the area where the iris occurred in less than a decade ago it no longer occurs.   It may be well and good to introduce the plant to other sites; transplantation and reintroduction are viable conservation strategies when done properly.  He said that in the area of the orchard there has been a  serious decrease as of two years’ ago in the iris that was present there, and noted an  adjacent area towards the road mowed this year and converted to  agriculture, and advised there were other  species of concern there.   

 

Mr. Tate pointed out that scientists will be involved committed to the scientific approach effort. 

He submitted then that the property owners had been having a positive impact then once they came and started doing something on the property, and have seen an increase in the plant population.

 

Commissioner  McDowell found some of Mr. Erickson’s comments  very surprising  because there is an easement in place and the people who live there expressed they were more than willing to develop a management plan, which is moving forward at this time.  As staff pointed out, this is  a very successful effort working with the property owners in trying to protect the Blue Flag Iris.  The public living there supports this process, as well as Au Sable and NAS Whidbey coming aboard with scientists. 

 

To a certain extent, Chairman Thorn stated that he shared Mr. Erickson’s concern that  not all the language was  here; however, he did think there were very responsible parties involved and was delighted that the community involved themselves the way they hav