Spokane County Conservation Futures Program

Spokane County Conservation Futures Program. . , "There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country." , , Theodore Roosevelt, 1912, In 1973, the Washington State Legislature recognized that haphazard growth and the spread of urban development was encroaching upon, or eliminating, numerous open areas and spaces having significant recreational, social, scenic, or esthetic values. Such areas and spaces, if preserved and maintained in their present open state would contribute to the welfare and well-being of the citizens of the state as a whole. Nearly 40 years later, the same rings true today., With population growth and urban development rapidly increasing, the Board of Spokane County Commissioners sought advice from the residents of Spokane County by means of a "Conservation Futures" ballot measure. Supported by a majority of the voters in 1994, the Conservation Futures Program was established and funded each year since through a dedicated property tax levy of 4 cents per $100,000 in assessed property value. Subsequent ballot measures in 1997 and 2002 have since been approved by ever-greater margins, demonstrating widespread public support for the Conservation Futures Program while also highlighting the increasing importance of open space in the daily lives of Spokane residents. In 2007, a super majority of voters recommended extending the programs funding indefinitely., To date, over 5,000 acres have been acquired by the Conservation Futures Program, preserved in perpetuity as a public open space for current residents and future generations to enjoy. Whether it be the Upper Falls of the Spokane River or the dramatic Channeled Scablands, the Conservations Futures Program continues to preserve the iconic landscapes of Spokane County., How is Land Selected for Preservation? , Properties are evaluated by the citizen Land Evaluation Committee. Those properties selected for acquisition will often have several of the following attributes: , . Connectivity (for trails and wildlife) , . Shoreline Features , . Critical Wildlife Habitat , . Scenic Views , . Public Access , . Wetlands , . Regional or National Significance , . Educational Opportunities , . Proximity to urban development, Stewardship , Since 2005, the Conservation Futures Program has dedicated 15% of the annual levy revenue to maintenance and operations projects. Controlling noxious weeds, maintaining trails, and restoring habitat are just a few of the projects this funding accomplishes.