DESCRIPTION
Capitol Land Trust (CLT) seeks to permanently conserve 40.5 acres and 4,600 feet of Frye Cove Creek shoreline, including the upper extent of the Frye Cove estuary. CLT will install fence (if needed) and control noxious weeds once the property is acquired. The property is adjacent to Frye Cove County Park, and builds upon numerous completed salmon recovery restoration projects, making this a strategic and important conservation opportunity for our community.
The site is undeveloped, and has been managed as a family tree farm. A 2,300+ foot long oxbow of Frye Cove Creek dominates the property. The site contains multiple priority ecosystems including nearshore, estuarine, riparian, wetland and lowland forest that provide essential habitat for numerous priority species, including fall Chinook, Coho, and Chum salmon, sea-run Cutthroat Trout, and winter steelhead.
The creek is broad, estuarine, and rich in downed wood and mudflats in its tidally influenced lower portions. Above the tidal zone, the channel becomes more constrained. A buffer along both sides of Frye Cove Creek, ranging in width from 25 to 50+ feet, has never been logged, and contains a forest with old-growth conditions, dominated by big leaf maple, Douglas-fir, and Western red cedar. In addition to salmonids, the site provides essential habitat for a wide diversity of bird, amphibian and mammal species.
Capitol Land Trust (CLT) initiated due diligence and landowner negotiation activities to permanently conserve 40.5 acres and 4,600 feet of Frye Cove Creek shoreline, including the upper extent of the Frye Cove estuary. CLT completed title review, a development potential analysis, an appraisal, a review appraisal, presented a purchase offer, and completed a Statement of Just Compensation, all as due diligence and acquisition assessment to purchase the subject property. Unfortunately, CLT was unable to reach agreement with the landowner. The acquisition will not proceed.
The property is adjacent to Frye Cove County Park, and would have built upon numerous completed salmon recovery restoration projects, making this a strategic and important conservation opportunity for our community. The site is undeveloped, and has been managed as a family tree farm. A 2,300+ foot long oxbow of Frye Cove Creek dominates the property. The site contains multiple priority ecosystems including nearshore, estuarine, riparian, wetland and lowland forest that provide essential habitat for numerous priority species, including fall Chinook, Coho, and Chum salmon, sea-run Cutthroat Trout, and winter steelhead. The creek is broad, estuarine, and rich in downed wood and mudflats in its tidally influenced lower portions. Above the tidal zone, the channel becomes more constrained. A buffer along both sides of Frye Cove Creek, ranging in width from 25 to 50+ feet, has never been logged, and contains a forest with old-growth conditions, dominated by big leaf maple, Douglas-fir, and Western red cedar. In addition to salmonids, the site provides essential habitat for a wide diversity of species.
