Conservation Futures
History
In 1971 the Washington State Legislature enacted RCW 84.34.200 "Conservation Futures Enabling Legislation" recognizing haphazard growth and urban development was encroaching upon the state's open areas and spaces. Productive lands, like agricultural and forestry areas were being altered, or even eliminated by continued urban expansion. Scenic, recreational, and aesthetic lands were also at risk.
In 1994, Spokane County Commissioners adopted the Conservation Futures Program for 3 years to protect threatened areas of open space, timberlands, wetland, wildlife habitat, agricultural and farm lands, streams and water supplies within the county boundaries. In 1997, citizens voted to support the continuation of the program for an additional 5 years. When the Conservation Futures program was on the ballot in 2002, Spokane County voters again supported a second 5-year extension of the program implemented by the Board of County Commissioners. Most recently, in November 2007, the Conservation Futures program was put on an advisory ballot and this time for renewal with no sunset date. Spokane County voters again supported extending the program with a super-majority of nearly 63% of voters supporting the measure.
What is Conservation Futures?
The 1994 adoption of the Spokane County Conservation Futures program began with a property tax assessed for each home in the county. This (up-to) 6-cent tax is levied per $1000 of property value, subject to the levy-lid of 1% per year; a home assessed at $100,000 would generate a tax of $6.00 at this levy rate. This tax money is earmarked solely for the acquisition of property and development rights. These funds acquire lands or future development rights on lands for public use and enjoyment. In 2005, state legislation recognized the need to allow monies for maintenance and operations of the Conservation Futures properties. Fifteen percent of the Conservation Futures money is used toward maintaining, protecting and enhancing the property over the long-term.
Conservation Areas, the term used in Spokane County, defines areas of generally undeveloped land primarily left in or restored to its natural condition. These areas may be used for passive recreational purposes, to create secluded areas, or as buffers in urban areas. As of 2009, the Conservation Futures Program has acquired over 5,000 acres through 26 acquisitions. Spokane County Parks and Recreation manages 13 different properties as Conservation Areas. The City of Spokane Parks Department manages an additional 11 properties within city limits. These conserved lands include wetlands, wildlife habitats and corridors, farmlands, steep hillsides, river corridors, viewpoints and other open space areas.
How do I nominate property for Conservation Futures?
The 2010 nomination round for Conservation Futures is now closed. To learn more about the Conservation Futures program and whether or not your property may compete well in future nomination rounds, please download or print the Program Overview and Nomination Packet, available in Word or PDF format.
This packet contains: a program overview with information and instructions, the evaluation criteria used by the Land Evaluation Committee to score and evaluate your nomination, the consent agreement, and flowcharts to help guide you through the nomination process.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Paul Knowles, Park Planner, at (509) 477-2188 or pknowles@spokanecounty.org or John Bottelli, Assistant Director, at (509) 477-2529 or jbottelli@spokanecounty.org.
Spokane County Conservation Areas
Park and Conservation Area information is now included on the SCOUT mapping application. The SCOUT Parks Locator allows you to click on the specific property for more information or you may click on one of the links below. A county-wide locator map is also available as a print-ready, Adobe pdf document.
City of Spokane Conservation Areas
A city-wide locator map is available as a print-ready, Adobe pdf document or as an image map. The image map allows you to click on the specific property for more information or you may click on one of the links below.