Chatman Conservation Easement Acqusition

Blue Mountain Land Trust acquired a 14 acre conservation easement on this 14.84 acre parcel located on the Touchet River two miles west of Dayton, WA. The property contains nearly 1/2 mile of both sides of the Touchet River. The easement now forever protects an existing mature cottonwood gallery, riparian habitat, and floodplain function. This property contains functioning habitat for spawning and rearing steelhead and migrating spring Chinook salmon, an extensive cottonwood gallery, old flood channels and space for the river to meander. No stream control structures are present. The easement extinguished development rights and prevents grazing and agricultural uses within the 11.3 acre Riparian Habitat Zone. The remaining 2.7 acres of the conservation easement presently have a fenced area for horses that will continue to be utilized for this purpose. A 0.84 acre homesite on the property was excluded from the easement. The property was zoned for 1 acre lots. Recent home development in the neighbourhood has resulted in homes being built within 60 feet of the river. The easement prevents this type of development on this property.

To acquire a 14 ac conservation easement along both sides of a 1/2 mile reach of the Touchet River. The easement will protect instream habitat, riparian habitat including an existing mature cottonwood gallery, channel migration potential, and floodplain function.