Category Overview
Farmland Preservation protects valuable farmland and habitat for recreationally important animals, like salmon, birds, deer, and elk. These projects allow families to continue farming the land they have worked on for generations, and provide Washingtonians with healthy local food and a diverse economy. WWRP is the only source of farmland preservation funding in the state budget.
Project Highlights
Carter Mountain Livestock LLC is a multi-generational family-owned operation established in 1900 and specializing in cow and calf rearing and hay production. This proposal is for an agricultural conservation easement to permanently protect 2,312 acres of ranchland and shrubsteppe habitat. The less than fee acquisition will help preserve the agricultural viability of the operation and conserve thousands of acres of wildlife habitat, linking the protected property to existing public lands. Furthermore, the proposed conservation easement mirrors another CE across Highway 97 to create a cross-valley biodiversity corridor for big game and shrubsteppe obligate species. The proposed project consists of 29 tax parcels under a family-controlled limited liability company in which family members work together to teach the next generation and collaboratively manage the operation. In total, the protection of the 2,312 acres will result in the extinguishment of 622 development rights, creating a valuable opportunity to conserve ranchland that would otherwise have high development potential. The Okanogan Land Trust will steward the easement and has worked with the Washington Department of Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and local ranchers to secure support for this project. This project also builds upon the Land Trust’s nearby holdings and provides assurance for perpetuity that a local producer has the opportunity to continue ranching.