Posted: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 12:00 am
CORVALLIS - A 199-acre tract of land zoned for two-acre residential development near Philomath will now be permanently protected wildlife habitat, thanks to the efforts of the landowner, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the Greenbelt Land Trust.
The conservation easement is located in a priority conservation area. It contains high-quality native upland prairie habitat and oak woodlands, both identified as rare habitats that have almost disappeared due to urban expansion and farming in the Willamette Valley. In fact, it is estimated that less than five percent of these habitats in the Willamette Valley today remain relatively intact, according to the ODFW.
The easement will be held by the Greenbelt Land Trust to protect and enhance habitats important to dozens of wildlife species, including the Fender's blue butterfly, which is listed as an endangered species.
Known as the Lone Star Ranch, the property will remain in private ownership by the Noble family. Under terms of the conservation easement, the Nobles will continue their livestock operations on the property. With the exception of a 13.3-acre portion already in use, the ranch can never be developed.
The Greenbelt Land Trust will work with the Noble family, BPA and ODFW to create a management plan that spells out conservation objectives and actions, including biological research, control of invasive weeds and enhancement of native oak woodlands and upland prairies.
"The Lone Star Ranch is a critical link in our efforts to conserve upland prairie and oak savanna habitats in the Willamette Valley," said Karlene McCabe, executive director of the Greenbelt Land Trust.
BPA provided $2.4 million to fund Greenbelt Land Trust's purchase of the conservation easement. This provides BPA with credits for partial mitigation of wildlife habitat losses due to construction and operation of federal hydroelectric facilities on the Willamette River. The Greenbelt Trust also contributed funds from private donations.