North Nemah Public Notice

North Nemah RCO Conversion Information and Invitation for Public Comment

Purpose
This notice is being given of a proposed conversion of Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant funded land, requiring approval from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board (RCFB), for a small portion of the North Nemah property owned and managed by Columbia Land Trust. The Land Trust is inviting the public to comment on the conversion of 0.23 acres of existing tidal floodplain. Comments may be made by emailing Coast Region Stewardship Manager Austin Tomlinson at atomlinson@columbialandtrust.org. The deadline for comments is to be received by August 15th, 2025.

Background
Columbia Land Trust, acquired 81 acres along the North Nemah River in Pacific County, WA in 2013 with funding provided by Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the National Coastal Wetland Conservation Grant Program. The conservation property includes tidal freshwater wetlands, riparian forest, and upland forest habitat types. RCO placed limitations on the property when it was acquired, this includes the sale or transfer of property that is not in line with the conservation intent. Columbia Land Trust is requesting a conversion of 0.23 acres of property as the result of a legal settlement.

Final Proposal
The conversion involves trading approximately 0.23 acres of existing tidal floodplain for equal amount of floodplain and riparian forest along a shared boundary with Columbia Land Trust and Marlisa W. Dugan Revocable Trust. The proposed conversion area is in the floodplain of the North Nemah River, just east of the North Nemah bridge at milepost 35.2 on Hwy 101 in Pacific County, WA. The conversion will include a boundary line adjustment, and an alternative analysis was not necessary due to an existing settlement agreement. The conversion of the property will not see a net loss of habitat or value.

Comments can be submitted to:
Austin Tomlinson
atomlinson@columbialandtrust.org
503-440-0084