This contract deals with the acquisition of a perpetual conservation easement where NYCD will work with the land owner to acquire the development rights on a 4500-acre property.  The property is important for increasing habitat connectivity, protecting riparian corridors and to the resident and anadromous fish species in the Cowiche and Reynolds Creek drainages (approximately 6 miles of stream).  This contract will provide approximately 25% of the total funding and is specifically intended for the purchase of a conservation easement, up to 500-foot wide,  on both sides of the creek.
  
Protection of this vital habitat is needed to prevent further subdivisions and development.  The primary landowner (owns approximately 4,500 acres with more than four miles of critical stream habitat) has signed a letter of intent to sell a conservation easement.  The project funding granted from BPA will be matched with Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board and Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Grants totaling nearly 1.1 million dollars.