February 13, 2003

Ellensburg, Washington (ENS) - The Nature Conservancy has launched a project to save more than 10,000 acres in the Tieton River canyon west of Yakima, Washington.

The group has already purchased almost 700 acres from Elk Haven Timber Co., LLC, and has signed an option to buy 9,700 acres in phases from Plum Creek Timber Company. The parcels cover an undulating expanse of forest that contains some of the state's most imperiled habitat.

Once completed, the public/private effort will conserve almost eight miles of the Tieton River and all of the adjacent uplands, a place of remarkable ecological diversity due to its location between the Columbia Basin shrub-steppe and the forested eastern front of the Cascade Mountains.

The Tieton River canyon supports mature ponderosa pine forests, oak woodlands, intact shrub-steppe, riparian floodplains, and dense streamside stands of willow, dogwood and cottonwood.

At least four federally listed and 15 state listed species are found there, including spotted and flammulated owls, nesting golden eagles, bighorn sheep, and steelhead and bull trout.

The Nature Conservancy's project is contained within the boundary of the Wenatchee National Forest and adjacent to the state owned Oak Creek Wildlife Area. Because of the checkerboard ownership pattern in this part of the state, successful completion of the project will mean that more than 20,000 acres -- almost an entire township -- of now fragmented lands will be knit into a contiguous landscape of protected habitat.

"This is an opportunity to conserve a truly spectacular place," said David Weekes, director of the Conservancy's Washington chapter. "It's ecologically diverse; it's strategically located; it's also a place of immense natural beauty. Without question, our state's natural legacy will be made richer by the Tieton's protection."

In January, the Conservancy purchased 695 acres of the project area from Elk Haven, a small group of timberland investors and developers. In making that purchase, the Conservancy took assignment of Elk Haven's option to buy another 9,700 acres from Plum Creek.

Elk Haven had secured a permit to harvest the parcel the Conservancy just purchased. The firm planned to log and subdivide or develop the entire area over several years.

As public funds become available, the national forest and the state wildlife area are expected to take ownership of much of the acreage the Conservancy plans to purchase from Plum Creek. The Conservancy will recover its cost but make no profit in these transactions.

The Conservancy will look to both the public and private sector for support for the project. Some of that public fundraising has already begun. With help from the Conservancy, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking $2.55 million from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program in the current legislative session to purchase about 2,500 acres.

"The Tieton River canyon is already much loved by a variety of recreationists, and this project will ensure the area's availability for public recreation in the future," said Sonny O'Neal, supervisor of the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. "The area also has some unique values for fish and wildlife. We're very pleased to be partners with the Conservancy in helping to ensure this area becomes a part of our public heritage."

http://ens-news.com/ens/feb2003/2003-02-13-09.asp