To avoid double counting acres where multiple programs contributed to the acquisition of a single parcel, the parcel acreage is only aggregated under the program that provided the majority of funding. For example, if the chart displays a dollar amount greater than $0, but also shows 0 acres, it is because the program was not the primary contributor for any parcels in that year.
Local Conservation Programs Include
King County
San Juan County
Spokane County
Please visit www.landvote.org for detailed information on these programs.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 529.2 | $21,177,808 |
| 2007 | 467.8 | $15,493,251 |
| 2006 | 1,669.2 | $16,313,000 |
| 2005 | 1,605.5 | $10,892,000 |
| 2004 | 131.6 | $3,641,993 |
| 2003 | 169.8 | $11,840,746 |
| 2002 | 173.8 | $12,920,111 |
| 2001 | 333.6 | $7,515,274 |
| 2000 | 2,308.6 | $15,262,190 |
| 1999 | 1,812.8 | $8,745,522 |
| 1998 | 694.5 | $9,207,963 |
| Totals | 9,896.4 | $133,009,860 |
The Office of the Interagency Committee is a state agency that serves the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) and the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB). IAC's primary land conservation program is the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP)*, which was created by the Legislature in 1989. WWRP is funded by appropriations in Washington state’s capital construction budget, primarily from the sale of general obligation bonds, with the legislature establishing funding levels on a biennial basis at approximately $50 million. In 2007 funding levels were doubled. The eight-member Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) makes funding allocations for WWRP. State and local agencies are eligible for funding through WWRP, although a fifty percent match is required from local agencies. According to state statute, WWRP funds must be distributed equally between Outdoor Recreation and Habitat Conservation.
The Salmon Recovery Funding Board was created in 1999 by the state legislature to grant funds to protect or restore salmon habitat and assist related activities and receives funding from the state and federal governments. Eligible recipients must provide at least 15 percent matching funds in either cash or in-kind contributions and include municipal subdivisions (cities, towns, counties, and port, park and recreation, conservation, and school districts), tribal governments, private landowners and state agencies.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4,826.3 | $35,712,876 |
| 2007 | 0.0 | $1,421,750 |
| 2002 | 0.0 | $588,600 |
| 2001 | 30.8 | $763,584 |
| 2000 | 54.6 | $4,718,438 |
| 1999 | 0.0 | $1,567,049 |
| 1998 | 3,440.7 | $17,205,035 |
| Total | 8,352.4 | $61,977,333 |
The Natural Areas Program of the Department of Natural Resources acquires undisturbed ecosystems as Natural Area Preserves (NAP), which are habitats for endangered and threatened plants and animals, and scenic landscapes as Natural Resource Conservation Areas (NRCA). Many acquisitions to the natural areas preserves have been trust lands converted to natural areas (through the Trust Land Transfer Program) and acquisitions of private land, funded mainly by the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program as well as some federal grants. Initial acquisitions for the natural areas were funded by revenue from a 1987 real estate transfer tax.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2,409.3 | $6,943,000 |
| 2007 | 5,810.2 | $25,797,000 |
| 2006 | 796.2 | $5,949,000 |
| 2005 | 1,060.3 | $8,819,500 |
| 2004 | 654.9 | $2,310,900 |
| 2003 | 3,068.0 | $20,926,800 |
| 2002 | 904.0 | $3,672,200 |
| 2001 | 393.0 | $3,867,600 |
| 2000 | 31,202.0 | $66,875,000 |
| 1999 | 1,034.0 | $3,045,000 |
| 1998 | 2,605.0 | $13,515,617 |
| Total | 49,937.0 | $161,721,617 |
Launched in 1989, the Trust Land Transfer Program is a unique program that funds school construction while protecting Washington's natural resources. The program transfers school trust lands suitable for natural or wildlife areas, parks, outdoor recreation, or open space to appropriate ownership while providing funding to schools equal to the timber or lease value of the transferred land. The program has successfully transferred ecologically valuable land out of trust lands and into appropriate conservation status with legislative appropriations.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2,745.0 | $3,989,000 |
| 2007 | 7,706.0 | $12,886,700 |
| 2006 | 836.0 | $931,000 |
| 2005 | 3,331.7 | $32,015,000 |
| 2004 | 486.0 | $902,000 |
| 2003 | 4,141.9 | $8,167,300 |
| 2002 | 729.7 | $620,500 |
| 2001 | 1,295.8 | $6,745,000 |
| 2000 | 5,381.4 | $7,454,000 |
| 1998 | 4,798.8 | $2,999,000 |
| Total | 31,452.4 | $76,709,500 |
The Forestry Riparian Easement Program was established in 1999 and helps small forest landowners (who must own at least 20 contiguous acres) keep their land in forestry by compensating these landowners in exchange for a 50-year easement that prohibits any cutting or removal of trees so that wildlife habitat and water quality are sustained. Landowners participating in the program receive a minimum of 50 percent of the fair market stumpage value of qualifying timber. Legislative appropriations fund the program.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 686.9 | $0 |
| 2007 | 987.6 | $0 |
| 2006 | 677.0 | $0 |
| 2005 | 562.8 | $0 |
| 2004 | 286.0 | $0 |
| 2003 | 484.5 | $0 |
| 2002 | 462.2 | $0 |
| 2001 | 11.4 | $0 |
| Total | 4,158.4 | $0 |
Enacted by statute in 2000, the Riparian Open Space Program (ROSP) seeks to protect timbered lands in riparian corridors for ecological protection and fisheries enhancement. Willing landowners apply to sell the land itself or donate permanent conservation easements to the Department of Natural Resources. Lands to be included within the program are prioritized according to order of receipt, ecological value, and immediacy of need on the part of the landowner. Funding for the program comes from legislative appropriations.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 129.6 | $0 |
| 2003 | 466.1 | $0 |
| 2002 | 40.9 | $319,419 |
| 2001 | 40.9 | $319,419 |
| Total | 677.5 | $638,839 |
The Washington State Parks system acquires land in fee title. In 2002 and 2003, 3,051 fee acres and over 41,000 leased acres were disposed of as a result of the restructuring of State Parks due to budget constraints. Since then the state park system has continued their efforts to acquire land for open space.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1.3 | $1,320 |
| 2007 | 0.6 | $183,704 |
| 2006 | 13.1 | $174,528 |
| 2005 | 0.0 | $105,000 |
| 2004 | 41.6 | $136,000 |
| 2003 | 1,033.9 | $4,832,454 |
| 2002 | 287.4 | $2,702,900 |
| 2001 | 493.4 | $2,305,147 |
| 2000 | 68.5 | $322,589 |
| 1999 | 323.8 | $1,808,741 |
| 1998 | 790.0 | $6,794,324 |
| Total | 3,053.7 | $19,366,710 |
In an effort to protect, restore and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitat, the Department of Fish and Game owns or controls land for wildlife areas, recreation purposes, and hatchery and rearing pond facilities. The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides most of the funding, followed by federal and miscellaneous grants, Salmon Recovery Board funds, and donations.
*RCW §43.98A.005
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 32,366.8 | $26,393,960 |
| 2007 | 22,774.3 | $24,054,330 |
| 2006 | 9,780.8 | $10,583,300 |
| 2005 | 11,132.6 | $26,359,885 |
| 2004 | 1,943.3 | $1,580,500 |
| 2003 | 16,662.0 | $19,873,503 |
| 2002 | 3,185.4 | $7,401,717 |
| 2001 | 7,110.0 | $7,166,700 |
| 2000 | 2,435.6 | $5,278,516 |
| 1999 | 678.5 | $2,054,218 |
| 1998 | 19,471.3 | $7,762,723 |
| Total | 127,540.5 | $138,509,352 |