Category Overview
Project Highlights
Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) will acquire 37 acres at RM 2.7-3.2 of the lower Wenatchee River mainstem. This is the largest undeveloped floodplain in the lower Wenatchee and is only 10 minutes from downtown. The property includes 2700 feet of riverfront, the inlets of two major seasonal channels, good Riparian Protection cover, and is 95% in the 100 year floodplain. All species in the Wenatchee Basin spend part of their life cycle in the lower mainstem, where development, both highway and railroad have taken up much of the historic floodplain and channel migration zone. This is the final opportunity to protect a crucial piece, and is the keystone to future acquisitions with the two other owners of the connected floodplain. The landowner is a large developer that has obtained preliminary approval from Chelan County for a 6 lot cluster subdivision located entirely within the floodplain. The threat to this highly functional floodplain is real and imminent. The project would also provide public access to 25′ of fishing easements held by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) along the entire frontage, that at present are not accessible except from the river. This project directly addresses the issues raised in a prior 2012 application in that it is for fee acquisition rather than conservation easement, includes only one landowner, and threat is clearly shown by the approved preliminary approval for 6 lots in the floodplain.