Commission approves acquisitions and easement adjustments for public access and habitat

The commission voted to approve several land‑transaction items on Sept. 11, including acquisition of two Department of Transportation surplus parcels — Lavender Lake (about 24 acres) and Easton Ponds (about 20 acres) in Kittitas County — to be managed as water access areas, plus a permanent right‑of‑way addition for a Washougal Hatchery bridge and an easement exchange to clear title and access for Driscoll Island in Okanogan County.

Real estate services manager Matthew Trenda outlined the plans: Lavender Lake has been managed as a water access site since 1966 and is annually stocked with rainbow trout; Easton Ponds will be reopened to public fishing after acquisition. Staff estimated ongoing operations and maintenance for the new access properties at roughly $10,000 annually and said acquisitions are funded from agency sources. Commissioner Steve Parker moved approval and Commissioner Melanie Rowland seconded; the commission adopted the package by voice vote.

Staff also briefed commissioners on two expedited Lands 2020 proposals under consideration (a Swanson Lakes edge parcel important for shrub‑steppe species and a South Landing ramp on the Columbia River) and said both meet criteria for expedited review because funding is available and sale or parceling is imminent.