Farmland preservation sent off for more study
County commissioners say more information is needed
Rachel Cavanaugh
News Editor
A controversial farmland preservation zone in Klickitat County has been sent by commissioners to a board for further review.
The ordinance, which would allow farmers to spot develop pieces of land while maintaining agricultural operations, was presented to commissioners at an August 14, meeting.
There, Ray Thayer, Rex Johnston, and David Sauter agreed to send it to the non-profit American Farmland Trust, before moving forward.
All three commissioners said more information was needed before conclusions could be drawn about the measure, drafted by White Salmon rancher Jacob Anderson.
The idea of the bill, which has been met with recent debate, is to create a new zone classification — much like residential or commercial — to be called the Farmland Preservation Zone. Once in effect, landowners could apply through the county to have their property rezoned and incorporated into that area.
At this point, the measure is drafted as strictly optional.
However, the debate stems in part from fears that what is now optional could later become mandated. Joan Frey, a rancher and former county commissioner, called it a “slippery slope.”
“Things that happen on a state level can change complexion quickly,” said Frey. “No law, no legislation is set in stone. It’s all changeable…I’ve seen good ideas change. I’ve seen legislation lost once it becomes in final form.”
Others have pointed to similar measures, such as cluster development or U.S. Department of Agriculture grants, which can achieve the same goal.
Goldendale rancher Max Fernández said he does not support the measure.
“I think this is another way for the state of Washington to make a move to control your property — another rule and regulation,” said Fernández. “Don’t you think we have enough of those?
“The only way to preserve farmland is to keep farmers farming. They need to have incentives for the farmers. Farmers only quit farming when there is no way to make a decent living.”
However, Anderson, emphasized the goal is not to create regulations but to protect farmers and offer additional tools to get value from their land.
He said the bill has several advantages over current options.
Cluster development, for example, is only feasible on small farms, he said, because it occurs on parcels rather than farms or aggregates. The result is often scattered communities instead of one developed area near roads.
It is also an overlay, rather than a zone, which means the process must go through public opinion and is often more complicated for landowners.
USDA grants, he said, are based on acquiring development rights.
“There isn’t enough money in China to buy up all the development rights in Washington,” said Anderson. “We have to come up with other creative ideas.”
He stressed the measure is purely optional and, although future legislation could draft something mandatory, that could happen anyway. He said he thinks many fears are based on history.
“The zoning has been really controversial in High Prairie,” said Anderson. “The farmers, I’d say, are the people who are most afraid of change, because every time the government said they’d help, they ended up hurting them.”
At the moment, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, about 700 farmers remain of the county’s 20,000 some residents. Of those, about 250 own less than 50 acres of land.
Anderson said if something is not done quickly, local farms will all be sold off.
Tom and Gail Amery, of High Prairie, are the first landowners to get behind Anderson’s measure. If the bill goes through, the couple said, they want their 2,200-acre farm zoned under it.
“We have a son,” said Mr. Amery. “My wife and I are both over 70. We’re looking at our future now. This way he can continue farming and hopefully our grandchildren can still be able to be on the same farm.”
Commissioners remained open to further investigation this week, but were clear any decisions await the consultation of constituents.
“I see where it has some merit, but I also see where an individual can do some of the things he’s proposed with the subject with things we have in place already,” said Ray Thayer.
“I think it’s an interesting proposal,” said David Sauter. “I think it’s pretty complex…anything that we’re looking at that would be that far-reaching would involve significant public comment.”
Meanwhile, Anderson presented the proposal Monday to a Lyle audience and said he will continue promoting the project. He said he believes most people’s concerns are about how the measure it carried out, rather than the concept of preserving farmland.
“[Farmland preservation] is what we’re trying to work towards and this is just one tool,” said Anderson.
Lyle survey results are in
Expansion of the urban growth boundary, maintaining the Klickitat Trail, and getting a bigger grocery into Lyle were cited as key interests in a recent town survey.
The Lyle Community Council detailed results at a meeting Monday evening to a crowd of about 15. Thirteen people had listed the growth boundary as important. Other top issues for people were the recent town cleanup and efforts to fix the boat launch.
Crackdown on drugs nets marijuana dealers
August proved to be a busy month for the Goldendale Police Department’s war on drugs. Based on surveillance by Detective Mike Smith, the Police Department conducted three search warrants, resulting in the confiscation of marijuana plants, packaged marijuana and various smoking devices, and the arrest of six adults, who police decline to name.
Earlier in the month, the police learned that a large shipment of marijuana was going to be delivered in Goldendale at the Market Place on East Broadway. The area was staked out on Aug. 4, and two suspects in a compact car were observed pulling into the Market Place parking. The police arrested two males, an adult and a juvenile, both from the Yakima area.
What made the bust significant is that police estimate that 70 percent of the marijuana entering the Goldendale area was being brought to the area by the two suspects. |
