County approves Indianola preserve

80 acres of land preserved from future development.

“Outdoor enthusiasts – or at least those folks who just like some peace and quiet every now and then – can rejoice. Thanks to a conservation easement the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners granted to the Indianola Land Trust Monday, the Indianola Preserve, which consists of about 80 acres of trees and waterfront, will be preserved from future development. Any use of the property, located between Suquamish and Kingston, will be forever limited to open space use and some park development, according to Rick Fackler of the county Parks and Recreation department. Fackler said three and one-half acres of the preserve rest along the waterfront and, under the agreement, access will be provided to the beaches without drastically impacting the natural environment. The forested area, Fackler said, will be kept mainly as open space, but some portions will be used for playgrounds, sports courts and restrooms. In 1997, the area now known as the Indianola Preserve became available, and the Indianola Land Trust got excited about the possibility of open, lush, green space. So a deal was struck on the property, valued at $1.1 million, Fackler said. The catch was, the Indianola Land Trust had to raise half of the land’s value over the next two years, or risk losing all or a portion of the property. The organization accomplished that feat, however, and paid Kitsap County on Jan. 1. By granting the conservation easement, the county is following through with its side of the bargain. It was a scary committment to make, in a way, Endresen said of the 1997 deal. Though I didn’t doubt the community’s dedication for a minute. It was just that, if the community couldn’t come up with half of the money, the county would probably have to sell a portion of the land to make up the difference or cut and sell the timber. I’m glad we didn’t have to do that. Also on Monday, the County Board of Commissioners approved two separate contract amendments with the U.S. military worth more than $500,000. * The first contract amendment approved was between the county and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division in Keyport for sewer service, estimated at $106,000. Adjustments were made to reflect the estimated yearly fixed costs and total estimated yearly variable costs for the sewer service from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2000. * The second contract amendment approved was between the county and the US Navy for sewer service out of the Naval Submarine Base at Bangor for $478,492. This contract amount is for the period of Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 2001. “

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