Westside Conservation Corridor Limekiln, Westside, and Deadman Bay Preserves

DRAFT Stewardship and Management Plan July 17, 2017

San Juan County Land Bank 350 Court Street No. 6

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Stewardship Goal

The Land Bank’s stewardship goal for its Limekiln, Westside, and Deadman Bay preserves is to protect and maintain the preserve’s historical, ecological, and scenic qualities while providing opportunities for low-impact public, educational, and scientific access.

Westside Corridor Stewardship and Management Plan

Table of Contents I. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 4 II. Acquisition History & General Management ...................................................................... 6 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 9

Tasks .................................................................................................................................... 9 Monitoring ......................................................................................................................... 10

III. Ecological Resources ......................................................................................................... 13 Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 15

Tasks .................................................................................................................................. 15 Monitoring ......................................................................................................................... 18

IV. Public Access ..................................................................................................................... 19 Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 20

Tasks .................................................................................................................................. 20 Monitoring ......................................................................................................................... 29

V. Cultural and Historical Resources ...................................................................................... 30 Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 31

Tasks .................................................................................................................................. 31 Monitoring ......................................................................................................................... 33

VI. Financial Analysis ............................................................................................................ 34 Site Enhancement.............................................................................................................. 34

Annual Property Management .......................................................................................... 36 VII. References ...................................................................................................................... 38

Figures...................................................................................................................................... 41 A. Limekiln, Deadman Bay, and Westside Preserves Context Map .................................. 41

B. Westside Corridor Ecological Management Map ......................................................... 42 C. Limekiln and Deadman Bay Physical Map ..................................................................... 43

D. Westside and Deadman Bay Physical Map ................................................................... 44 E. Historic Aerial Photos .................................................................................................... 45

Appendices ............................................................................................................................. 46

A. Priority Habitats and Species ........................................................................................ 46 B. Preserve Rules and Restrictions .................................................................................... 50

C. Land Bank Special Event Policy...................................................................................... 51 I. Introduction The San Juan County Land Bank’s Westside Conservation Corridor consists of three conjoined preserves: Limekiln, Deadman Bay, and Westside Preserves. (Figure 1) This area of San Juan Island is renowned for its scenic, recreational, historical, and ecological resources. It has been a focal point for conservation by the Land Bank with seven separate land acquisitions, one trail license agreement, and one conservation easement over the span of 23 years (Table 1). This Stewardship and Management Plan is intended to provide guidance in protecting the conservation resources of the preserves and any future acquisitions nearby. Three separate preserve management plans were previously approved (1994 Westside, 1995 Westside & Deadman Bay, and 2000 Limekiln). While the basic content of the original plans remain relevant, the plans need updating to reflect current management practices and new acquisitions in the area, as well as address emerging management concerns, including the increase of public use over time. Together the Preserves total 281 acres (Table 1). They embody many of the Land Bank’s highest conservation priorities, offering exceptional scenic, aesthetic, historic, and low-intensity recreational resource value in addition to high environmental, scientific, and fresh water resource value. With easy access from Westside Road and adjacent to popular Lime Kiln Point State Park, public use has steadily increased over time. Targeted improvements have been pursued to protect ecological resources, enhance low-intensity recreational and interpretive opportunities, and improve public safety, with concerted efforts made to maintain the land’s natural and scenic character.

While this plan attempts to be as descriptive and specific as possible, stewardship is an adaptive process that must respond to changing environmental and social conditions. Rising regional population and continuing development in the San Juan Islands will put new pressures on these Preserves over time. Through vigilant monitoring and constant internal review, the Land Bank will evaluate the effectiveness of our stewardship policies and update or revise the plan as necessary. Preserve management will focus on protecting the land’s natural attributes, while enabling compatible low impact public use. This Stewardship and Management Plan provides guidelines for the Land Bank’s oversight of existing holdings, as well as any potential future land acquisitions nearby. While this plan is intended to serve for years to come, it is anticipated that there will be a need for periodic revision as environmental and social conditions change over time and the organization acquires new knowledge

about the preserves and resource management. Current policy provides for management plans to be reviewed and, if appropriate, revised every ten years. For organization and clarity, stewardship themes have been classified into four major categories: Acquisition History & General Management, Ecological Resources, Public Access, and Historical Resources. Under each major category, sub-headings detail objectives, stewardship tasks, and monitoring protocols. Objectives describe the long-term vision for the resources and uses in each section, while Stewardship Tasks outline specific actions aimed at achieving objectives. Methods for measuring the success of these activities are outlined under Monitoring Protocols. Appendices to this plan include maps, a list of priority species and habitats, a summary of public use rules, a summary of restrictions and easements, and a financial analysis.

II. Acquisition History and General Management Summary of Acquisitions To date, the Land Bank has completed ten separate property transactions to piece together the Westside Conservation Corridor, with a total value in excess of $6 million. (Table 1).

Year Acquisition Preserve Acres Purchase Price 1993 Rosenfelt Westside 5.13 $300,000 1994 Hartman Westside 6.81 $510,000 1994 Wold Westside 7.96 $700,000 1995 Limekiln Properties Deadman Bay 18.51 $880,000 1997 Limekiln Properties Limekiln 178.77 $2,461,023 1998 Pentz (Conservation Easement) Westside 8.41 gift 2000 Rath Limekiln 9.9 $90,000 2007 Airy Westside 1.39 $875,000 2013 Djarf (Trail License) Westside n/a gift 2015 Reiss Westside 30.39 gift

Table 1. Chronological summary of Westside Conservation Corridor acquisitions.

Limekiln The Limekiln property changed hands several times during 1860 to 1886 as the fledging mine operation slowly developed. Ultimately, the operation and much additional acreage was purchased in 1886 by Henry Cowell, who operated the mine and kilns through the 1930s. It remained under Cowell family ownership until sold at auction in the 1950s. The property was purchased by Orcas Island’s Ruth Brown (founder of Camp Four Winds), who owned it until her death in 1977. It was then purchased by the Limekiln Limited Partnership, a group that sought to develop the property and additional surrounding land for residential use. Lack of fresh water resources and concern about environmental and social impacts prevented the development from being carried forward. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) helped negotiate the purchase of the Preserve and provided a bridge loan for the acquisition of the Limekiln Preserve in 1995. The Rath parcel was added to the Limekiln Preserve in 2000 to expand the boundary to encompass the whole of Westside Pond. The Land Bank’s preserve surrounds Lime Kiln Point State Park, with trails and natural areas flowing seamlessly between the agencies’ holdings. The Land Bank values its close partnership with the State Park in cooperatively managing the ecological, historical, and recreational resources of the Preserve and park lands.

Deadman Bay Deadman Bay was also acquired from the Limekiln Limited Partnership. Initially the parcel was to be absorbed into Lime Kiln Point State Park, but lack of public support for a proposed campground resulted in State Parks withdrawing from the acquisition. The Land Bank was petitioned by islanders to acquire the much-loved property. Unable to fully fund the purchase at the time, the Land Bank received support from TPL, which helped negotiate the purchase and provided a bridge loan. The Land Bank later received a 50% match of the purchase price from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP). Westside Preserve The Westside Preserve has been assembled through a series of transactions with private landowners beginning with the purchase of five acres in 1993 and culminating most recently with the donation of thirty acres in 2015 by the Reiss family (Table 1).

Legal Access Legal access is provided to all three preserves in this corridor by way of San Juan County public roads. The Land Bank holds an additional access easement to the Reiss acquisition by way of Aerie Drive, a steep and narrow private road which serves several residential properties. Aerie Drive forms a portion of the eastern boundary of the Preserve. No general public driving access will be permitted via Aerie Drive. (Figures 1 and 4) Neither the Land Bank nor other adjacent land owners hold additional access easements over any of the preserves or adjacent lands. Wells The Djarf family holds and maintains a private well for residential use which is located on the Westside Preserve. In addition to this private well easement there are five other wells within this complex: two within Westside Preserve, one at Deadman Bay, and two inside Limekiln Preserve. (Figures 3 and 4)

Origin of Deadman Bay’s Name There are many tales about how Deadman Bay received its name, but it is unlikely we will ever know with certainty. A special note is inserted here in an effort to challenge, if not dispel, the most common story. This tale revolves around dead bodies of Chinese immigrants found on the beach. Smugglers purportedly dumped the immigrants overboard when pursued by law enforcement. This history is unlikely to be true since the name can be traced back to the 1860s, while the Chinese Exclusion Act (making immigration by Chinese people illegal) was not instituted until 1892. A more likely source involves the documented case of the murder at Limekiln of a cooper, Thomas Wheeler, by a cook in 1862. Three versions of the story exist – one where his body was dumped in Haro Strait and washed ashore at Deadman Bay; another claims he was murdered at the Bay; and the third claiming he was simply buried there. Another story with possible connection is associated with the naming of Smallpox Bay, located two miles north. Numerous serious outbreaks of smallpox and other European diseases swept through local tribes during the 19th century. One particularly horrible period occurred in 1862 to 1863, especially in nearby Victoria. Unfathomable numbers of Native Americans fell victim to these diseases, and it is entirely plausible that the bay may have thus earned its name from dead bodies found there.

Utility Easements A utility easement for power and phone lines runs along the Westside Preserve and through Deadman Bay Preserve. In 2006, the Land Bank worked with OPALCO to relocate the power lines from the middle of the Westside Preserve to the roadside to reduce ecological impacts and improve the viewshed from Westside Road and Preserve pullouts. Consideration was given to placing the power lines underground, but the project was rejected due to the expense associated with excavating through bedrock. The utilities through this section serve only the Djarf residence and Lime Kiln Point State Park. Consideration was also given to terminating the lines at the Djarf residence and bringing power to the State Park underground through the Limekiln Preserve, but this proposal was rejected for similar reasons. Deed Restrictions Limekiln and Deadman Bay Preserves were acquired using funding through a Washington State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation grant program (since rebranded Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office or RCO). The funding requires creation of a deed of right to the State ensuring the land be maintained for public recreational access in perpetuity and installation and maintenance of signage recognizing this funding source. Commercial Use Commercial use of Land Bank preserves is generally not permitted. A provisional exception was made for commercial kayak companies to utilize the beaches at Limekiln and the Deadman Bay Preserves – a use that predated the Land Bank’s acquisitions. Over time, the use of these beaches by both commercial and non-commercial users has grown significantly. In 1998, the restroom at Deadman Bay was installed to address public health concerns primarily attributed to commercial kayak use of the beach. Following increasing conflicts between general public and commercial users, the Land Bank reached an informal agreement with local commercial kayak companies regarding use at Deadman Bay in 2015. The agreement restricts commercial use to the southern third of the beach and requests the companies to work together to limit the number of boats on the beach at any one time. Long-term management of commercial use by kayak tour companies will require close cooperation with San Juan County Parks, as nearly all commercial trips originate at San Juan Park (located approximately 2.5 miles to the north). The county park has greater capacity to enforce more nuanced policies due to regular on-site staffing, whereas the Land Bank’s capacity is limited to allowing or disallowing the use as a whole. An exemption was also put in place for commercial diving tours at Deadman Bay. This use has decreased over time, especially with the closing of the only dive shop on San Juan Island. Preserve maintenance and monitoring contract

The Land Bank and Lime Kiln Point State Park have worked collaboratively as managers since the early 1990s. Between 1995 and 2003, the Land Bank contracted with the State Park for the purpose of monitoring and rule enforcement. In 2004, State policy changed, prohibiting the State Park from conducting law enforcement or other activities outside land owned by State Parks. This resulted in the termination of the formal agreement, but the agencies continue to communicate and collaborate on management of recreational, historical, and natural resources. Following the cessation of the State Parks contract, the Land Bank began contracting for maintenance and monitoring services with San Juan County Parks with a significantly reduced scope of work. The scope of services has changed periodically to address the changing needs of both parties. II. A. Objectives for General Management

1. Maintain, steward, and otherwise care for the Preserves in accordance with Land Bank policies and any other legal requirements.

2. Maintain accurate records of the history, natural history, management, and maintenance of the Preserves.

II. B. Stewardship Tasks for General Preserve Management

1. Management Plan Stewardship and management plans should provide the foundation for the maintenance and care of Land Bank Preserves. Specific tasks related to management include:

• Reviewing plan prior to annual monitoring visit to refresh memory regarding management objectives and baseline information.

• Reviewing plan in conjunction with any significant maintenance or site enhancement projects to ensure compatibility.

• Review and revision of management plan every ten years to update information as more knowledge is acquired and to reflect potential changes in stewardship practices.

2. Work Plan Development of an annual work plan for the Land Bank program including each Preserve is an important part of achieving short- and long-term stewardship goals. Annual work plan should be developed and informed by information gathered during annual monitoring. Specific tasks related to Annual Work Plan include:

• Review of management plan and conducting annual monitoring prior to development of annual work plan

• Breaking out activities into maintenance, monitoring, and site enhancement categories

• Developing budgets associated with each above category • Developing proposed timelines for each activity. • Recover and maintain surveyed property boundary monuments as part of

annual monitoring efforts

3. Maintain communication with neighboring property owners, especially Lime Kiln Point State Park, to collaborate on natural resource management.

4. Commercial Use Commercial use of Preserves is not permitted with the exception of provisional use by commercial kayak tour companies and diving at Deadman Bay Preserve. Management of commercial kayak companies will be adaptive in nature and will be overseen in close collaboration with the San Juan Kayak Association, individual companies, Lime Kiln Point State Park, and San Juan County Park. Specific policies related to provisional commercial use are as follows:

• Commercial kayak tour use is limited to temporary stop overs. Excepting emergencies, launching and retrieving is prohibited.

• Commercial use is limited to kayak and diving activities. Commercial walking, hiking, bicycling, and other such tours are prohibited. Commercial kayak tours may walk the coastal trail to Lime Kiln lighthouse.

• Commercial tours landing area is restricted to the southeast one-third of Deadman Bay beach and Limekiln Cove. Landing at Limekiln cove is only permissible during foul weather or for other safety reasons.

• Commercial kayak tour use is prohibited at Westside Preserve. • Companies using Limekiln Cove must carry “WAG” bags or other similar

options for human waste disposal.

II. C. Monitoring Protocols for General Preserve Management

1. Regular Monitoring The Preserve will be regularly visited by Land Bank staff and volunteers to observe and track natural processes, public use patterns, compliance with policies by commercial kayak users, and condition of preserve infrastructure, as well as to provide education and outreach to preserve visitors.

2. Annual Monitoring

Annual monitoring of Land Bank Preserves is critical to understanding a property’s natural resources, tracking changes, and protecting its conservation values. Staff will conduct an annual monitoring visit with the specific tasks of inspecting key features, monitoring Preserve boundaries, public use trends and impacts, as well as preserve infrastructure, and conducting hazard analysis.

Annual preserve monitoring provides baseline information for development of the subsequent year’s work plan in concert with review of the management plan.

3. Photo Monitoring

The use of photographs taken from designated fixed locations within the Preserve will be used to track changes to land cover overtime. Photo points have been established around the Preserves and will be re-photographed every ten years as part of the decadal management plan review and revision process.

4. Ecological Assessment

Numerous ecological inventories, assessments, and management plans detailing the ecological resources of the Preserves have been produced by Land Bank staff and contractors for these Preserves (Table 2). Habegger’s 2009 Westside Ecological Assessment provides a good summary of previous work within the Westside and Deadman Bay corridor. Comparatively less survey work has taken place within Limekiln Preserve.

Title Author Year Ecological Baseline Inventory (Westside) Bill 1993 Memorandum: Coughlan's Bluff Flower Inventory Lee 1994 Ecological Baseline Inventory (Westside) Lee 1994 Marine Intertidal Survey, Deadman Bay and Westside Road Scenic Corridor Dethier 1995 Westside/Deadman Bay Ecological Assessment and Management Plan Domico 1995 Management Plan, Deadman Bay and Westside Road Scenic Corridor Byers 1996 Site Assessment for Priority Habitats and Species of Concern Lime Kiln Quarries Property Domico 1998 Westside Preserve Vegetation Management and Wildflower Update Hanson 2002

Westside Preserve Ecological Assessment Habegger 2009 Westside Preserve, Reiss Habegger 2017 Marine Communities of the Land Bank Westside Scenic Preserve: Comparison of 1995 and 2009 Intertidal Surveys Dethier 2009 Westside Preserve Intertidal Monitoring Survey Habegger 2010

Table 2. Chronological list of management plans and ecological inventories and surveys in the Westside Conservation Corridor.

These assessments provide a foundation for management decisions included in this plan. Updates and additional assessments will be considered to track changes over time and as new information is sought, especially as necessary for management plan updates.

5. Historical Assessment The Land Bank contracted with NW Archaeological to conduct a historical assessment of the Limekiln Preserve shortly following acquisition. Following recommendations from this report, Boyd Pratt was hired in 2004 to professionally document and produce a report on the boarding house and an additional feature. Additional and more in-depth research was conducted by Boyd Pratt and Nancy Larsen to provide relevant background for an application to list the site on the National Historic Places. Straddling both Land Bank and State Park holdings, 40.5 acres received this designation in 2007 (Figure 3). These reports provide the foundation for management decisions related to the historical resources of the preserve. Updates and additional assessments will be considered to track changes over time and as new information is sought, especially as necessary for management plan updates.

6. Cultural Assessment A cultural resource assessment of the Limekiln and Deadman areas was conducted in 1983 as part of the planned development. No cultural resources were found, citing heavy disturbance from mining activities at Limekiln and grading at Deadman Bay as likely destroying or obscuring any possible cultural resources. An assessment of Deadman Bay and the Westside Preserves is a priority action detailed in Section V., Cultural and Historical Resources, of this plan. Results from these assessments may influence management decisions and will be included as an addendum and/or future plan updates.

III. Ecological Resources_ The Westside Conservation Corridor encompasses a diverse assemblage of ecological resources. Together with Lime Kiln Point State Park, nearly 8,000 continuous lineal feet of shoreline and 325 acres of uplands have been conserved including a large pond, dry and moist forests, wetlands, riparian corridors, meadows, and savannah habitats. Ten priority terrestrial habitats and fifteen priority species have been identified within the Preserves. Additional 51 marine habitats and species have been identified as occurring or highly likely to occur in the nearshore waters adjacent to the preserve. These lists include 33 species listed or candidates for listing of endangered or threatened status. Several rare plants, a rare fruticose lichen, and rare amphipod have been recorded within the preserve complex. Limestone mining and processing at the site was one of the earliest industries in the state. Logging, fishing, and grazing were also early activities associated with these preserves. Remnants include stumps from logging operations (including tall stumps cut with old cross cut saws in use prior to the 1940s), old decaying fence lines, and hardware along the shoreline installed by commercial fishermen. While these activities, in particular mining, greatly altered portions of the landscape, many significant ecological resources remain. The Limekiln Preserve rises steeply from a rocky intertidal coastline with a small pocket beach to 650 feet in elevation at the Preserve’s northeast corner. Most of the land west of Westside Road is rocky and dominated by dry Douglas fir and Pacific madrone forest and peppered with meadows and herbaceous balds. Notable features include seasonal drainages, pocket wetlands which host red-legged frogs, painted turtles, and other amphibians, vernal pools, a quaking aspen stand, and stands of mature forest including old growth specimens. Beginning at the northern edge of the preserve, a wetland framed by moist forest parallels the east side of Westside road with a mix of red alder, western red cedar, Douglas-fir, and grand fir. The wetland drains into a nine-acre pond which was largely constructed by installation of an instream earthen dam in the 1980s. An aerial photo from 1972 appears to show a small pond at the northern end of the existing pond. (Figure 6) The occurrence of a state listed “sensitive” aquatic plant, blunt-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton obtusifolius), suggests this pond may be a natural feature. The shallow pond hosts numerous aquatic species and waterfowl including nesting wood ducks. In recent years an introduced sunfish, probably bluegill, has been seen with increasing frequency. The land rises steeply to the east of the pond with rare Garry oak habitat, sprawling big leaf maple, and old growth Douglas-fir trees interspersed amongst a younger cohort of Douglas-fir on the dry talus slopes. An eight-hundred foot long gravel and cobble beach is framed by rocky intertidal cliffs at the Deadman Bay Preserve. A seasonal stream descends into Deadman Bay Preserve from the pond at Limekiln, forming a braided wetland before a subsurface exit into the

bay through the beach’s storm berm. To the north side of the beach, a coastal prairie rises from the shoreline, gradually blending into the savannah and forest of the Limekiln Preserve. With the exception of a tiny pocket beach on the southern parcel, the coastline of the Westside Preserve consists of rocky intertidal and cliffs up to 60 feet in height. Rare native plant communities containing showy wildflowers and brittle prickly pear cactus are found within these prairies. In 2012, an experimental plot of the federally listed golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) was planted on the preserve as part of a broader effort to recover the species within its historic range. From the coastal prairies, the Preserve rises abruptly on the east side of Westside Road to an elevation of 510 feet. The slopes chiefly consist of herbaceous balds which are covered by patchworks of moss and non-native grasses occasionally intermingled with native grasses, wildflowers, and other forbs. Near the top of the Preserve, a bench containing rare Garry oak habitat and a pocket wetland is found. Throughout, emergent Douglas fir forest is in process of colonizing these formerly open sites. Historic maps and photographs, descriptions, soils, and remnant vegetation communities indicate that these Preserves were less forested than today. While Douglas fir was the primary fuel used to fuel the kilns, many of the veteran trees in the area were not logged for this purpose, perhaps due to the tough, knotty, and craggy limbed structure of these open-grown “wolf” trees, many of which are still alive today. More recently, young, dense, homogenous stands of Douglas fir have colonized these former prairies and savannah – a process that continues and threatens to convert these rare habitats. The coastline through the Preserves and State Park is dynamic. The rocky character provides diverse structure which, coupled with the strong currents and upwelling, provides opportunity for rich and diverse marine and tidal habitats. The impacts from climate change present significant challenges in planning and caring for the ecological resources of Land Bank Preserves. While there is broad consensus among the scientific community regarding our warming climate, there is a considerable uncertainty regarding many of the specific long-term impacts, in particular, changes in precipitation. In our region, average temperatures are expected to rise 4.2° – 5.5°F by 2050.1 Increases in average warmth may change composition of plant and animal species, increase the risk and severity of wildfires, provide vectors for invasive plants, animals, and pathogens, and affect hydrologic cycles. Sea temperatures are also anticipated to rise with far reaching impacts in the composition of marine ecosystems. Average sea level is projected to rise between four and eighteen inches in our region by 2050.1,2,3 Possible impacts along this shoreline include erosion, flooding, storm damage, decrease in species biodiversity, altered backshore habitats, possible encroachment on back barrier wetlands, and decreasing recreational access opportunities. Simultaneously, the acidity of the ocean is increasing, with the likelihood of serious impacts to marine invertebrates’ ability to form shells and increasing risk of

harmful algal blooms. The full impact of these changes is not known but presumed to be significant, especially for cascading impacts on fish, marine mammals, seabirds, and other predators in the trophic chain. While it is not possible to prevent or forecast the impacts associated with climate change with certainty, protecting and maintaining the biodiversity of the Preserves can strengthen resilience to impacts from climate change. Careful observation and consideration of adaptation measures when making management decisions for recreational development, restoration activities, and vegetation management can also provide opportunity to enhance ecosystem resilience. The Land Bank holds protection of conservation values, including ecological resources, as the overarching goal of its stewardship program. Maintaining an area’s ecological health can also contribute to the preservation of scenic and open space characteristics. Public access and other activities are designed to minimize impacts, with the knowledge that they may have to be restricted or discontinued if impacts cannot be controlled. 1Mauger, G.S., J.H. Casola, H.A. Morgan, R.L. Strauch, B. Jones, B. Curry, T.M. Busch Isaksen, L. Whitely Binder, M.B. Krosby, and A.K. Snover. (2015). State of Knowledge: Climate Change in Puget Sound. Report prepared for the Puget Sound Partnership and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 2MacLennan, A., J. Waggoner and J. Johannessen (2013). Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment for San Juan County, Washington. Prepared by Coastal Geologic Services for Friends of the San Juans, Friday Harbor, WA. 3Miller, I. (2017). Presentation: Sea Level Rise in Washington State and the San Juan Islands. June 30, 2017 at Brickworks in Friday Harbor, WA. Washington Sea Grant, Olympic Peninsula Field Office, Port Angeles, WA. III. A. Objectives for Ecological Resources 1. Maintain the health of the Preserve’s ecological communities. 2. Encourage a greater understanding of the property’s natural systems. III. B. Stewardship Tasks for Ecological Resources 1. Protection of priority habitats and species

A complete list of the property’s priority habitats and species, as defined by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), is found in Appendix A. Additional noteworthy communities, such as the seasonal stream, and species, such as uncommon plants, may also be afforded these special protections:

• Signage denoting use restrictions or areas closed for habitat protection and

restoration. • Direction of public use away from sensitive areas. • Use of plant protectors, cages, and/or fencing to provide protection from trampling

and herbivory.

2. Maintenance and enhancement of prairie and savannah ecological communities Prairie and savannah is generally regarded as one of the most imperiled terrestrial habitats in our region. With the exception of the coastal prairie along the Westside Preserve, much of the historic extent of prairie and savannah within Deadman Bay and Limekiln Preserves is undergoing conversion to coniferous forest. Stewardship tasks will focus on maintenance of the existing extent of prairie and protection and enhancement of habitat surrounding individual specimens of old growth Douglas fir, big-leaf maple, and Garry oak. Specific tasks may include:

• Assessment and prioritization of existing prairie and savannah areas. • Annual monitoring and/or survey of native prairie plant communities. • Control and manual removal of Douglas fir and other woody plants

threatening conversion of prairie areas (see control of invasive species below) and/or crowding out individual oak or maple specimens.

• Testing the use of prescribed fire to maintain and enhance prairie and savannah.

3. Control of invasive species

Invasive species pose a serious threat to native species and habitats. Baseline inventory of invasive species on the property has already been conducted. Noxious weeds that may colonize habitats are of particular concern. Control efforts will be focused in areas of greatest ecological priority and vulnerability, and where methods have the greatest chance of success. Manual and mechanical control will be the preferred methods, with biological controls and herbicide use carefully considered on a case by case basis.

Specific actions will include:

• Cooperation with the County Noxious Weed Board and other agencies to monitor and control priority weeds.

• Manual removal of invasive plants including spurge laurel, teasel, tansy ragwort, Himalayan and evergreen blackberry, hairy cat’s ear, herb Robert, mole plant, bull thistle, and Canada thistle.

• Control of English hawthorn by cutting, removal, and painted application of herbicide to cut stem.

• Regular observation and including surveys for new infestations as part of annual preserve monitoring program.

4. Maintain forest health

Many of the forested areas of the Limekiln Preserve are characterized by dense, young stands of Douglas fir with little or no understory plants. Soil structure, plant communities, veteran Douglas fir structure, and slope aspect indicate much of the forested area once had a more open, savannah-like character. It is unlikely and perhaps undesirable that the entirety be restored to these conditions, but the overall

health, diversity, and resilience of forested areas can be improved through limbing, thinning, and removal of trees, possibly in conjunction with burning. Activities may include:

• Contracting with a professional ecologist for assessment and planning. • Limbing and thinning dense stands of trees. • Seed collection of native plants. • Propagation of native plants. • Outplanting native plants to encourage diversity. • Use of prescribed fire to help maintain the health, diversity, and structure of

the preserve and reduce wildfire danger.

5. Protection of intertidal resources

The intertidal resources through this area are renowned for their species richness. The rocky coastline generally inhibits recreational access; however, the most significant threats identified in professional assessments are trampling and collection of resources. The impacts from climate change are anticipated to be particularly harmful to intertidal habitats as sea level rise, increased temperature during summer daytime exposure, and ocean acidification affect diversity and composition of species. Specific tasks related to protection of intertidal resources include:

• Discouraging access to rocky intertidal zones through judicious development of trails, use of split rail fencing and other barriers, signage, and direct engagement with Preserve visitors.

• Partnering with Friends of Lime Kiln Society (FOLKS), Salish Sea Association of Marine Naturalists (SSAMN), and other similar groups to provide outreach and education with a special focus on tide pools at Deadman Bay Preserve.

• Developing interpretive signage and support materials. • Scheduling monitoring trips during summer low tide cycles with the goal of

interacting with user groups. • Prohibiting commercial use, except permissive use by kayak tour groups at

Deadman Bay and Limekiln Cove. • Working with kayak companies, County Parks, and State Parks to develop

management policies to determine appropriate use levels by commercial groups.

6. Education and research

The Land Bank will encourage a better understanding of the Preserves’ ecological resources through cooperation with the State Parks, County Parks, local schools, universities, scientists, and interest groups. Educational and research activities on the property will be conducted on a permission-only basis, and may be limited in size or duration.

Specific actions may include:

• Sponsoring, leading, or permitting small group, guided natural history walks. • Conservation and science-based education field trips. • Collaborating with researchers from private, local, state, and federal agencies,

local schools, universities, volunteers, and other researchers. • Interpretive signage on the Preserves’ natural history and any habitat

restoration activities. 7. Restriction of uses

See Appendix B, Preserve Rules and Restrictions of Use. II. B. Monitoring Protocols for Ecological Resources High priority ecological features on the Preserves may be monitored to help evaluate stewardship policies and resource health. 1. Ecological Assessments

A variety of ecological assessments have been completed for the three Preserves over time. These reports serve as the baseline against which to measure suspected changes or impacts to the natural features of the land. (Table 2) Updated, revised, or supplementary assessments will be conducted periodically or as specific needs arise.

2. Intertidal monitoring

Protocols have been developed for regular monitoring of intertidal zones in conjunction with Dr. Megan Dethier of University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Lab. Monitoring will focus on select “high priority” zones and be conducted on an annual basis using staff and volunteers. Regular monitoring will help track changes over time, especially those associated with the impacts from climate change.

3. Restoration Monitoring Qualitative and quantitative monitoring protocols specific to restoration activities will be developed separately and will address specific needs related to restoration activities.

4. Regular Monitoring Land Bank staff, volunteers, and partner organizations regularly visit the preserves and inspect the condition of ecological resources as well as engage the public in interpretation and appropriate use. Special consideration will be given to trampling and collection of species in prairie, balds, and intertidal habitats.

5. Annual Preserve Monitoring Land Bank staff annually conducts a detailed monitoring of all Preserves to observe and document the condition of the Preserve infrastructure, boundaries, and

conservation resources. Annual Preserve monitoring provides the baseline information for development of the subsequent yearly work plan in concert with review of this management plan.

6. Photomonitoring Photomonitoring (landscape photographs shot from permanent, relocatable locations on the property) have been established to provide a visual record of trends and changes over time. More detailed photomonitoring will document restoration activities.

Additional research will be encouraged and other monitoring developed as needs emerge. IV. Public Access Providing access to and enjoyment of the beauty and diversity of the San Juan Islands is a priority for the Land Bank. The Preserves in this area have been loved by generations of islanders for boating, picnicking, hiking, and other activities for decades prior to the Land Bank’s acquisitions. Adjacent Lime Kiln Point State Park is one of the busiest day parks in the state as visitors and residents enjoy the iconic lighthouse and unparalleled opportunity for whale watching. The Land Bank Preserves and State Parks have a long history of collaboration in cooperatively managing the area. The Land Bank benefited from an inter-agency cooperative agreement which funded the Limekiln State Park to provide maintenance, monitoring, and enforcement on the adjacent Land Bank Preserves from 1995-2004. In the summer of 2000 the Land Bank provided temporary parking and pedestrian access through the Limekiln Preserve while the State Park was undergoing renovations. Land Bank and State Parks have shared volunteer and interpretive resources as well as consulting and collaborating with one another on natural, historic, and recreational resource management. As the regional population has grown and tourism has become a more central part of the islands’ economy, these lands have experienced increases in use in both volume and density. Between 2009 and 2016, visitation to Lime Kiln Point State Park increased by 76% (Table 3). While the Land Bank is committed to providing public access, we are also committed to maintaining an informal and rustic recreational

Figure 1 – Lime Kiln Point State Park annual visitation 2009 – 2016.

experience, as compared to the State Park, with an emphasis on managing first for the protection of ecological resources. This is primarily achieved by keeping recreational developments and infrastructure to a minimum, restricting size and location of parking areas, and careful consideration of allowable recreational uses, including special events. Current recreational uses on these Preserves include walking, hiking, trail running, picnicking, wildlife viewing, kayaking and other human powered boating, scuba diving, tide-pooling, and foraging. A trail network totaling over five miles links Limekiln and Deadman Bay Preserves with Lime Kiln Point State Park (Figure 3). Trails within the State Park and Preserves are open to pedestrian use only. No existing trails serve to link the Limekiln/Deadman Bay complex with the trails on the Westside Preserve, but the concept remains under consideration with a perilous cliff section providing the most significant barrier. Seeking to reduce trampling impacts, the Land Bank began formalizing and constructing trails along the Westside Preserve beginning in 2006. This included the acquisition of a trail license agreement from the Djarf family in 2013 which linked the formerly isolated portions of the preserve. Additional trails are planned for construction on the recent Reiss acquisition, and the Land Bank remains open to additional trails which might provide connectivity with other Preserves or expand recreational and interpretive opportunities that do not degrade the ecological, historic, scenic, or cultural resources of the Preserves. Special Events In order to reduce impacts to ecological resources and provide a quality experience for all Preserve visitors, the Land Bank has restrictions on special events such as weddings or group outings with greater than fifteen people (Appendix C). Special events are prohibited at the Westside and Deadman Bay Preserves. Special events are permitted in the quarries at Limekiln. Events allow minimal infrastructure, maximum length of four hours, and a party size not to exceed fifty people. Preserves remain open to general public during special events. See Appendix C for more details on Land Bank Special Event policies. IV. A. Objectives for Public Access 1. Maintain the capacity for safe, low-intensity access that does not detract from the

Preserve’s outstanding aesthetic and natural characteristics. 2. Maintain an appropriate level of use, protecting conservation resources and

neighborhood character, while also ensuring that each visitor has the opportunity for a quality experience.

3. Maintain Preserve infrastructure, including parking, trails, signage, restroom, and bird blind, in a safe, attractive, and functional manner.

4. Explore alternatives for pedestrian access and connectivity with other Land Bank

preserves and other private and public lands.

5. Provide the opportunity for foraging native plants and fungi for personal consumption.

IV. B. Stewardship Tasks for Public Access 1. Controlling level of use

Maintaining an appropriate level of use will be essential to preserving the special qualities of these Preserves. Over time, however, the Preserve may face pressures from the rising population of San Juan Island and increasing demand for public access to natural areas. In particular, the Westside Preserve presents a significant challenge to managing level of use as the ease of access afforded by roadside turnouts, natural beauty, and wildlife viewing opportunities make it an easy and obvious destination for people driving on Westside Road. Fortunately, the interpretive resources, light house, park infrastructure, and fame of Lime Kiln Point State Park help take some pressure off the adjacent Land Bank Preserves. The northernmost of the Westside Preserve pullouts has long been a favorite sunset destination for local young people. In spring and summer the use level swells with parking spilling out into the roadway and large groups of people. Most of this activity is confined to the parking areas, but occasionally drifts into the Preserve. This creates negative social and ecological impacts including trampling, garbage, graffiti, high speed driving, intoxication, and creating an unwelcome atmosphere to the general public. The following approaches will be used to manage levels of use:

• Limited signage to avoid overexposure. • Limited parking to restrict number of visitors. • Limited facilities and level of development to discourage unwanted activities. • Enforcement of special event policy. • Use of barriers (e.g., native vegetation and split rail fencing) and signage to

reduce trampling and focus recreational access. • Application of best management practices for trail design, construction, and

maintenance to reduce current and future impacts associated with public access.

• Carefully crafting outreach materials, including website, social media, and driving directions, to set expectations for rules and conduct.

• Work with local tourism promotion to ensure the Preserves receive an appropriate level of exposure in promotional materials.

• Working with State Parks, County Parks, local law enforcement, schools, and other groups to monitor use and discourage unsafe and harmful behaviors.

2. Preserve Parking

There is a total of 9 formal and semi-formal zones with approximately 53 total vehicles spaces used by visitors to access the Preserves, not including Lime Kiln Point State Park (Table 4). Three pullouts on the Westside Preserve, originally developed by Public Works to ease road congestion, were formalized by the Land Bank in 2010. Two informal pullouts provide immediate access to Deadman Bay Preserve along with two roadside pullouts created and maintained by Public Works. Parking through this area is also occasionally utilized by people seeking to avoid State Park parking fees by walking into the Park. Two informal parking areas serve Limekiln Preserve.

No new parking areas on any of the Preserves are proposed at this time, but additional parking areas may be considered for safety issues and impacts from use, if necessary. At the time of acquisition, consideration was given for installation of a parking area at Deadman Bay to be located uphill of the existing location should use levels necessitate it. To date, this has not been necessary and existing parking provides a desirable limit to the level of use on the Preserve. Parking to serve the new Reiss trail and the rest of Westside Preserve will be explored if safety issues or use levels merit consideration. General improvements will be sought for all informal parking areas to reduce erosion, reduce ecological impacts, reduce maintenance costs, and improve accessibility and safety, while maintaining an informal and rustic aesthetic.

Table 3. Westside Conservation Corridor Parking Capacity.

Tasks for the maintenance and enhancement of parking include:

• Working with Public Works to complete parking area chip-seal and paint parking stripes at the Westside Preserve.

• Working with Public Works to create parking improvement plan for Limekiln Preserve.

• Regular inspection of parking facilities for safety and hazards. • Annual inspection for maintenance and repair including surfacing and filling

potholes. • Identification of parking and trailheads able to accommodate designs

compatible with Federal outdoor recreation accessibility guidelines.

3. Trail Maintenance Trails within these preserves contain a mix of old road beds and purpose built single track hiking trails. Limekiln Preserve has a network of trails which flow in and out of the adjacent State Park and through the historic features of the preserve. Old road beds serve as wider trails allowing users to walk side-by-side, while constructed trails are rustic, single track with less than 30 inches average width. Specific tasks for trail maintenance include:

Preserve Parking Area Description Approx. Vehicle

Capacity Westside South Parking 4 Central Parking 8 North Parking 6 Deadman Bay Bayside Pullout 4 Hillside Pullout 3 Bay Overlook 2 Upper Pullout 3 Limekiln Pond Trailhead 9 Quarry Trailhead 4

• Annual evaluation of trail condition as part of annual preserve monitoring. • Annual raking organic material from trail surface. • Evaluating and repairing trails according to sustainable trail design principles. • Smoothing and grading to facilitate drainage and discourage erosion. • Trimming and brushing vegetation. • Evaluation and mitigation of hazards. • Clearing downed trees, limbs, and other natural disturbances. • Collaborating with Lime Kiln Point State Park on maintenance and

enhancement of shared trails.

4. Trail Development The trail network within the Preserves is largely established. Any trail development should be reviewed for any permitting requirements as well as protection of ecological, cultural, and historical resources outlined in this plan. The following list of enhancements is proposed to expand access to new acquisitions, reduce ecological impacts, and improve safety. Limekiln No large scale additions or revisions are anticipated within Limekiln Preserve at this time. Goals for enhancement include three small projects: formalization of trailheads, improving pond access, and enhancing trail connection to Westside Pond bird blind. Specific tasks related to trail development at Limekiln:

• Develop trailhead design, including kiosks and related signage, in collaboration with Public Works.

• Design, construct, and install kiosks and signage. • Work with Public Works to address safety concerns and formalize existing

social trail leading from Westside Road to the bird blind (Figure 3) • Consider construction of trail linking bird blind trail with Quarry Parking to

improve pedestrian safety and reduce waterfowl disturbance. (Figure 3) • Consider improvements for access to Westside Pond from existing parking

area including mitigating runoff from the parking area with a bio-swale.

Deadman Bay Trails at Deadman Bay Preserve link to several locations including Lime Kiln Point State Park, Limekiln Preserve, and the beach and restroom on the Preserve. The trail to the beach is steep and appears to have originally been constructed as a driveway. While accessibility could be improved through construction of a lower gradient trail there could be potential impact on ecological and scenic resources. Should existing trail require significant maintenance, restoration opportunity, or other similar need arise this may be given consideration.

A trail linking Deadman Bay Preserve with Westside Preserve remains a long-term goal. Due to the steep, rocky, and cliffy section separating the preserves, any trail development will likely need partnership with Public Works to develop a safe roadside option. The trail leading from Deadman Bay to Limekiln is narrow, rocky, and braided with social trails in locations. Several social trails have also developed over time between the main trail and a roadside pullout above. Visitors have also formed a steep, rocky social trail short cut to the pocket beach at the northwest end of Deadman Bay. Enhancement of these trails to smooth rough sections and establish clear routes will help to reduce erosion, reduce trampling of coastal prairie, and improve safety. Specific tasks related to trail development at Deadman Bay Preserve

• Work with Public Works to prioritize trail work inclusion connecting Deadman Bay and Westside Preserves in any future road construction projects.

• Develop plan for formalizing and enhancing access to north pocket beach which will improve safety and reduce ecological impacts.

• Work with Lime Kiln Point State Park to identify measures to formalize and improve trail connecting the Park and Preserve.

• Utilize signage and split rail fencing to focus trail use and reduce ecological impacts.

• Engage with the San Juan Island Trails Committee and other volunteers for trail design and construction.

Westside Preserve The original management plan for the Westside Preserve carried the initial prescription of no formal trail development. As use increased over time, the clear need for formal trails and public access zones emerged due to ecological degradation from trampling. A combination of trail development, split rail fencing, and signage has helped reduce trampling impacts. Trail development in Westside Preserve in the immediate future will be focused on creation of a pedestrian trail to a viewpoint on the Reiss acquisition. A long-term consideration for development includes two short segments to complete a roadside alternative. (Figure 4) A trail connection with the Mount Ben Preserve also remains a long-term goal.

Specific tasks related to trail development at Westside Preserve:

• Aligning trails to take advantage of a variety of habitats and view-sheds. • Aligning and constructing trails according to sustainable trail construction

principles. • Engaging with the San Juan Island Trails Committee and other volunteers for

trail design and construction.

• Directing trails away from sensitive or hazardous areas and, to the extent possible, neighboring property boundaries.

• Utilizing signage and split rail fencing to focus trail use and reduce ecological impacts.

5. Restrooms

Currently, only Deadman Bay Preserve has a restroom facility. The Deadman Bay vault restroom was installed to address health concerns resulting from kayak tour use of the beach and was funded in part by a state grant. A condition of the permit for the restroom was that it have vegetative screening, which required several attempts to become established. Maintenance of these planting and possibly additions may be necessary over time. Since installation, the restroom has primarily been maintained through a contract with San Juan County Parks. No restrooms are planned for Westside Preserve or Limekiln, but may be considered if use levels necessitate. Any restroom development will be carefully considered for its economic, scenic, aesthetic, and ecological impacts. Any additional restrooms will be sited to blend in with the landscape and preferably screened with vegetation. Specific tasks related to development, operation, and maintenance of restrooms include:

• Regular monitoring and maintenance of restroom for health and safety. This may include continuing contract with County Parks.

• Soliciting contractors to pump vault annually or as necessary. • Physical maintenance of structure including painting, hardware maintenance,

etc.

6. Bird Blind In 2013 a bird blind was developed on Westside Pond in collaboration with local birders, artists, and volunteers. Spring Street International School’s middle school science program later developed a guide book for the blind featuring student drawn images of commonly viewed birds. The blind includes a chalkboard for visitors to document their sightings. The Land Bank may partner with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, local schools, or San Juan Islands Audubon for additional outreach, education, and citizen science opportunities. Maintenance and management actions related to the blind include:

• Inspection of structural integrity and need for repairs or upgrades as part of the annual monitoring.

• Regular monitoring visits to inspect for hazards. • Maintenance and repair of benches. • Maintain communication with school groups, local birders, San Juan Islands

Audubon, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding observations, condition of facility, and outreach/education/science opportunities.

7. Rock Climbing

Few recreational rock climbing exist opportunities in the San Juan Islands. While the shear walls of the quarries within the Limekiln Preserve conceivably might provide opportunity for climbing, it has been determined to be unsafe activity. The Stratum Group, a geotechnical engineering firm, was hired in 2000 to assess the stability of the cliffs. Their report concluded that mining operations over the preceding 100+ years had compromised the structural integrity of the cliffs, leaving them in a “highly fractured” condition unsafe and unsuitable for rock climbing. Climbing is prohibited at this location, and cliffs have been signed at the base and top warning prospective climbers of the danger. A small monolithic rock face further downslope of the main cliffs has also been used rock climbers for “bouldering” – unaided climbing at low heights. Bouldering type climbing at this location is permitted. Specific actions for managing rock climbing activities are:

• Regular monitoring of the area for rock climbing activity. Monitoring will be done by volunteers, State Park, County Park, and Land Bank staff members.

• Communication with prospective climbers, including reaching out to local climbing enthusiasts, regarding the hazard and informing of climbing prohibition.

• Regular inspection and maintenance of signs at top and bottom of cliff face.

8. Foraging and collection of biological material Foraging for plants and fungi has been a staple of island life from the first inhabitants through to today. In general, the Land Bank has a policy prohibiting the collection of biological specimens. In practice, mushrooms, berries, nettles, and other plants are collected by islanders within these Preserves. In the case of exotic or invasive species, such as Himalayan blackberry, foraging may provide some help in limiting the spread of these species. Rather than an outright ban on foraging, the following actions and policies will guide the sustainable collection of plant and fungi within the Preserves:

• Foraging is for personal consumption. Commercial use, including gifting to commercial operations such as restaurants, is prohibited.

• Only edible fruits, nuts, berries, nettles, and fruiting bodies of mushrooms may be collected using sustainable practices.

• Collection of flowers, bulbs, tubers, or living plant material is prohibited without written permission.

• Maximum of three species of mushroom per day is permitted. • Maximum total limit per person is one quart per day and/or two quarts per

week. Limits do not apply to weed species, including Himalayan and evergreen blackberry and Saint John’s wort.

• Collection of driftwood in excess of ten pounds is prohibited.

• Collection of sea shells is limited to equivalent of one cup per person, per day. • Fishing, shell fishing, and collection of seaweed is managed by Washington

Department of Fish and Wildlife. To reduce ecological impacts but still provide for recreational use, freshwater fishing on Westside Pond will be allowed by written permission.

9. Directional Signage The Land Bank relies on signage to inform visitors of rules and expectations for use as well as to provide orientation and guidance on trails. For most preserves a single sign greets visitors at trailheads or as they enter Preserves. These typically feature a map, a description of the Preserve and its conservation value, and a synopsis of rules and expectations. Additional directional signage is used thoughtfully and sparingly within the Preserve to provide direction such as identifying hazards, closed areas, property boundaries, or information on trails and other recreational resources.

Specific actions may include: • Signing property boundaries, road junctions, or other key locations to direct

users to appropriate areas and discourage trespass onto neighboring private lands.

• Design and installation of directional signs showing the location of trails, parking, boundaries, public use guidelines, and other features.

10. Outreach, interpretation, and education The Land Bank has a general policy of focusing first on the wild and natural character of the Preserves. Signage is kept to a minimum, generally grouped together, and fit into the landscape to the extent possible. The Land Bank lacks capacity to provide regular interpretive programs on its Preserves. Use levels of most Preserves are too small to make such programs desirable, but this trend may change with time. The Land Bank occasionally leads walks or lectures, alone or in collaboration with experts. Onsite, there are two outside nonprofit groups current providing interpretation programs. The Friends of Limekiln Society (FOLKS) provides occasional low tide walks and interpretation at Deadman Preserve tide pools. No formal agreement exists for these tours. Whale Scout, the Salish Sea Association of Marine Naturalists (currently a program of the Whale Museum), and The Center for Whale Research have collaborated with the Land Bank to provide volunteer marine naturalists during peak periods in the summer months, primarily for interpretation of marine resources with a special focus on Southern Resident Killer Whales. Interpretive signage can be useful in helping connect people with the landscape and the Preserve’s important conservation values, but is weighed carefully against ecological impacts, aesthetic impacts, and the costs associated with sign and content development, fabrication, installation, and maintenance.

Specific interpretive signs planned for each preserve include: Limekiln The cultural and historical features of Limekiln Preserve are not adequately interpreted. Providing interpretive signage will enrich visitors’ experience and importance of the site in the history of the island and development of the west coast of North America. This information may also aid in the protection of historical resources. Deadman Bay Special features at Deadman Bay which may deserve some interpretation include the driftwood beach and intertidal resources. Intertidal resource interpretation may help reduce trampling and other damage. Westside Preserve Space for interpretive signage to be placed adjacent to the existing map signs at the middle and northern pullouts was intentionally created when the Land Bank formalized parking and trails in 2010. Development of an interpretive signage for the coastal prairie through this area continues to be a goal for the Land Bank. Specific actions for outreach, education, and interpretation follow:

• Collaborate with local historians, Lime Kiln Point State Park, and San Juan Island Museum of History and Industry to develop interpretive signage for Limekiln Preserve signage and the Land Bank website.

• Collaborate with groups such as the San Juan Island Native Plant Society and the Cascadia Prairie Oak Partnership to develop interpretive material on coastal prairies for the Westside Preserve, the Land Bank website, and a possibly a brochure that could be used regionally.

• Collaborate with Lime Kiln Point State Park, universities, schools, and non-profit groups to provide outreach, interpretation and educational programs within Land Bank Preserves.

• Seek outside funding to support development of interpretive and education materials including content, graphics, art, and fabrication.

11. Maintenance

Maintenance of the Preserves and infrastructure will be undertaken by Land Bank staff, volunteers, and contractors. These activities might include:

• Trail maintenance including trimming vegetation, installation of drainage features, rehabilitation of tread, and clearing downed trees.

• Upkeep and replacement of signage. • Removal of litter. • Noxious weed removal.

• Maintenance of woody vegetation within the view easement area. • Other tasks as needed.

12. Volunteer Preserve Stewards

Volunteer stewards are an important component of the Land Bank’s stewardship. Stewards help the Land Bank meet its goals through regular visits to the property to observe its condition and level of use, and may also be involved in maintenance, visitor education, invasive species control, monitoring, and other stewardship activities.

13. Restriction of uses See Appendix B, Preserve Rules and Restrictions of Use.

IV. C. Monitoring Protocols for Public Access The most important issues to monitor are the level of public use and any resultant impacts on Preserve infrastructure, access roads, and the conservation values of the Preserve. To help determine appropriate use levels, the Land Bank will rely on feedback from volunteer stewards, interested citizens, and neighbors, as well as information from ecological monitoring protocols. The following protocols will also be used:

1. Car counters and trail monitors. These tools may be used to track the number of people accessing the Preserves over time.

2. Use surveys.

Volunteers or students may be solicited to conduct survey studies of use during specific and/or random periods to help determine level of use, user experience and expectations, and compliance with use guidelines.

3. Photo monitoring

Photo monitoring (landscape photographs shot from permanent, relocatable locations on the property) have been established to provide a visual record of trends and changes over time. More detailed photo-monitoring will document restoration activities. Photographs will be retaken once every ten years as part of the Land Bank’s stewardship and management plan review and update process.

4. Regular Monitoring Land Bank staff, volunteers, and partner organizations regularly visit the Preserves and inspect the condition of recreational resources and infrastructure, as well as engage the public in interpretation and appropriate conduct.

5. Annual Preserve Monitoring

Land Bank staff conducts a detailed annual monitoring of all Preserves to observe and document the condition of the Preserve infrastructure, boundaries, and conservation resources. Annual Preserve monitoring provides the baseline information for development of the subsequent year’s work plan in concert with review of this management plan.

V. Historical and Cultural Resources The Limekiln Preserve and Lime Kiln Point State Park owe their names to the limestone mining and processing industries which operated at the site beginning in 1860, one of the earliest industries in the region. Limestone processing (kilning) operated until the mid-1930s, but the quarry continued operations for more many years. Initially, limestone was quarried and shipped to other processors, and later the operation was converted to a local gravel quarry. Northwest Archaeological Associates produced an assessment of historic resources1 for the Land Bank in 2001. Following recommendations in the report, the Land Bank contracted with Boyd Pratt to professionally document two features threatened by erosion and decay. Further research and documentation by Boyd Pratt and Nancy Larsen led to a portion of the site being designated as a National Historic Site2. (Figure 3) Many historic features remain within the Park and Preserve, most obvious being the two kilns. The State Park undertook reconstruction of one of the kilns while the other, located within the Land Bank Preserve, is being left to slowly decompose. In 2005, the Land Bank worked with the State Park, San Juan County Fire, local historians, and others to evaluate and mitigate risk from the boarding house. Ultimately, the building was collapsed on itself and left in place to protect its historic integrity for potential future research and interpretation. Besides the obvious features of the limestone quarries, additional resources include building foundations, rail tracks, a water heater, and assorted other small pieces of infrastructure. Some resources remain in jeopardy of loss to erosion and decay. The most critical of these have been professionally documented.

In addition to the mining operation, the Limekiln area also played a significant community role for the southwest part of the island, hosting a post office, general store and occasional social events. The lighthouse at Lime Kiln Point State Park was constructed in 1917 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, providing an additional historical resource to the area. Along the Westside Preserve, large eye bolts found set in bedrock are believed to be remnants of commercial fish traps. Dozens of traps were located throughout the islands, including along the Westside and Deadman Bay Preserves’ shoreline. The specific

Title Author Date Archaeological Survey of Limekiln Village Property A. Blukis Onat 1983 Heritage Resource Investigations at the Limekiln Preserve

S. Boswell and L. Hudson 2001

Historic Structures Report: Boarding House & Feature 10 B. Pratt 2004

National Register of Historic Places Nomination for San Juan Lime Company/Cowell's B. Pratt and N. Larsen 2007 Table 3. Cultural and Historical Resource Assessments of Limekiln, Deadman Bay, and Westside Preserves

configuration and location of fishtraps were required to be registered and permitted, but often were changed on an annual basis, presumably to improve success at a given site. Some of the traps in this area were owned and operated by Cornelius Coghlan, who was the manager of Cowell’s Limekiln operation. Fishtraps were ultimately found to be too effective at catching, providing insufficient passage for returning fish, and were outlawed in 1934. Archaeological resources in the area are poorly understood. A map from the 1850s shows Coast Salish village sites located a short distance to the north and south from Preserve lands. Cultural resources are also documented within Lime Kiln Point State Park. Early newspapers reference use of Deadman Bay for summer fish camps by Native Americans. A cultural resource assessment of the Limekiln and Deadman areas conducted in 1983 as part of the planned development found no resources, citing heavy disturbance from mining activities at Limekiln and grading at Deadman Bay as likely destroying or obscuring cultural resources. Despite a paucity of professional documented cultural resources, it is likely the area was regularly used by Coast Salish, in particular the beach area at Deadman Bay, which affords reasonable shelter and fresh water resources along the rugged west coast. A Coast Salish reef-net fishing site is purported to have existed off the reef located offshore of the Westside Preserve. Personal communication with an archaeologist advised further exploration of potential cultural resources within these Preserves. Additional cultural resource assessments, particularly at the Deadman Bay and Westside Preserves, would be useful in understanding, interpreting, and protecting potential cultural resources. V. A. Objectives for Historical and Cultural Resources

1. Protect and maintain the historical and cultural resources of the Preserves.

2. Provide a scenic and safe historical site that encourages the interpretation of the lime industry and other local history.

3. Encourage greater understanding of the Preserves’ historical and cultural resources.

4. Document important historical features and preserve as much extant archeological information as possible.

5. Cooperate with other agencies and groups interested in the study, interpretation, or preservation of the Preserve’s historical resources.

V. B. Stewardship Tasks for Historical and Cultural Resources

1. Protection of cultural and historical resources from disturbance, vandalism, and theft

Protection of cultural and historical resources is a high priority. Specific tasks related to protection of these resources include:

• Safeguarding information on the specific location of sensitive cultural and historical resources.

• Using signage, split rail fence, vegetation, and other barriers to direct visitors away from cultural and historical resources.

• Regular monitoring and engagement of Preserve visitors by Land Bank staff and volunteers, State Park staff and volunteers, and County Park staff.

• Contact and cooperation with San Juan County Sheriff for law enforcement.

2. Research and documentation of cultural and historical resources

Several assessments have been conducted for these Preserves. (Table 3). Additional tasks related to research and documentation include:

• Contract with professional archaeologist for cultural resource assessment of Westside and Deadman Bay Preserves.

• Provide opportunities for qualified universities and other institutions to have access to the site for research.

• Seek opportunities for additional research as new information arises and research technologies emerge.

3. Preservation of cultural and historical resources

Preservation of cultural and historical resources at these sites is a priority for the Land Bank but not without challenges. Natural forces, including weathering, erosion, and decay, present the most significant long-term challenge and will likely be exacerbated by impacts of climate change, including sea level rise and intensification of storm events. Specific tasks for preservation of cultural and historical resources include:

• Periodic professional evaluation of cultural and historic resources. • Investigation of measures to stabilize or protect cultural resources. • Professional documentation of cultural and historical resources that cannot

be preserved. • Partnering with museums, universities, and other agencies to appropriately

document and archive historical and cultural resource information.

4. Interpretation of cultural and historical resources Interpretation of the rich cultural and historical resources of these Preserves contributes to the knowledge and appreciation of the landscape for residents and visitors. The successful inclusion of a portion of the Limekiln Preserve on the Register of National Historic Places also helped bring some awareness and protection to the site. The Land Bank has conducted some outreach in the past,

including County Fair exhibits and talks, lectures, and guided walks. Additional tasks to enhance the interpretation of cultural and historical resources include:

• Development and installation of interpretive signage at Limekiln in collaboration with State Park and San Juan Island Museum of History and Industry.

• Development of interpretive material for a brochure and the website highlighting the history of the site and providing a self-guided tour.

• Partnering with local historians to offer guided tours of the Preserves, with a focus on cultural and historical resources.

• Partnering with local experts to offer lectures. • Seeking opportunities for interpretation at special events, such as the San

Juan County Fair and local school events.

V. C. Monitoring Protocols for Historical and Cultural Resources The following protocols will be used to monitor the condition of historical and cultural resources as well as ensure their protection:

1. Regular Monitoring Land Bank staff, volunteers, and partner organizations will regularly visit the Preserves and inspect the condition of cultural and historical resources, as well as engage the public in interpretation and appropriate conduct.

2. Annual monitoring Land Bank staff conducts a detailed annual monitoring of all Preserves to observe and document the condition of the Preserve infrastructure, boundaries, and conservation resources, including cultural and historical resources.

3. Photo Monitoring Photo monitoring (landscape photographs shot from permanent, relocatable locations on the property) have been established to provide a visual record of trends and changes over time. More detailed photo monitoring will document restoration activities. Photographs will be retaken once every ten years as part of the Land Bank’s stewardship and management plan review and update process.

4. Professional assessment The need for updated professional historical and cultural resource assessments will be evaluated once every ten years as part of the Land Bank’s stewardship and management plan review and update process. Professional consultation will also be undertaken prior to any projects which significantly alter the Preserve’s features or use.

VI. Financial Analysis This analysis is intended as a financial planning tool. All numbers are approximate and expenses will be reconsidered annually as part of the Land Bank’s regular budgeting process. The Land Bank has allocated an Endowment Fund within the Investment Fund Balance of the San Juan County Land Bank Stewardship & Management Fund. The interest earned from this fund is intended to cover annual property management costs in perpetuity. Whenever necessary, additional allocations to the Stewardship Fund may be made from the Conservation Area Fund at the direction of the Land Bank Commission. Separate allocations from the Conservation Area Fund will cover specific site management planning and enhancement projects. This financial analysis considers two components of Westside Conservation Corridor management: site enhancement, or “one-time” costs, and annual property management. Annual costs are adjusted for average inflation of 3% in order to project five- and ten-year amounts. All estimates include staff time. Site enhancement (2017-2022) Deadman Bay Cultural Resource Assessment Project Administration 1,000 Archaeologist Contract 2,500 Subtotal: 3,500 North Beach Access Planning and permitting Planning 1,200 Permitting, as necessary 500 Construction 12,000 Subtotal: $13,700 Westside Trail Connection Planning $10,000 Permitting $1,500 Grant and Project Administration $5,000 Subtotal: $17,500 Interpretive Signage Design and fabrication 2,500 Installation 750 Subtotal: $3,250 Habitat enhancement Italian Arum Removal/Roadside Restoration 10,000 Coastal Prairie and Savannah Restoration 5,000 Subtotal: $15,000 Deadman Bay Total: $52,950

Limekiln Dam Repairs Subtotal: 2,000 Pond Parking Improvements Parking barriers 8,000 Grading and surfacing 5,000 Bio-swale 10,000 Subtotal: $23,000 Signage Historical Interpretation Signs 5,000 Kiosks 1,500 Directional Signs 2,500 Installation 2,500 Subtotal: $11,500 Habitat enhancement Assessment $10,000 Restoration and enhancements $30,000 Subtotal: $40,000 Limekiln Total: $76,500 Westside Reiss Trail Construction Materials 1,000 Road crossing 2,500 Permitting, as necessary 500 Subtotal: $4,000 Parking improvements Public Works Chip-sealing 5,000 Subtotal: $5,000 Signage Directional 2,500 Interpretive 5,000 Installation 800 Subtotal: $8,300 Habitat enhancement $15,000 Subtotal: $15,000 Westside Total: $32,300 TOTAL: $161,750

Projected Annual Property Management (2017– 2022): Annual costs estimates shown below are averages and do not necessarily reflect costs born every year. Five and ten-year totals show projections based on 3% annual inflation. Rates based on average between Steward and Field Assistant positions. Monitoring Routine monitoring Deadman Bay (100 hours) 3,600 Limekiln (150 hours) 5,400 Westside (120 hours) 4,320 County Parks Contract 3,300 Annual boundary and preserve monitor Deadman Bay (4 hours) 108 Limekiln (24 hours) 864 Westside (5 hours) 144 Subtotal: $17,736 Maintenance Trails Materials 75 Staff 1,800 Parking Materials and Service 300 Staff 96 Road Materials and Service 400 Staff 216 Signs, gate, misc. infrastructure Materials 500 Staff 576 Restroom Materials and Service 750 County Park Staff 1,024 Land Bank Staff 144 Noxious weed control Materials and Disposal 150 Staff 2,400 Dam Materials 25 Staff 576 Subtotal: $9,032 TOTAL $26,167

Annual Totals: Year Amount 2017 $26,167 2018 $27,571 2019 $28,398 2020 $29,250 2021 $30,128 2022 $31,031 2023 $31,962 2024 $32,921 2025 $33,909 2026 $34,926

VII. References Internal Land Bank Assessments: Bill, P. (1993). Westside Preserve Ecological Baseline Inventory.

Lee, R. (1994). Memorandum: Coughlan’s Bluff Flower Inventory.

Lee, R. (1994) Westside Preserve Ecological Baseline Inventory.

Dethier, M. (1995) Marine Intertidal Survey, Deadman Bay and Westside Road Scenic Corridor.

Yates, S. (1995) Deadman Bay Wetland Report

Domico, T. (1995) Westside/Deadman Bay Ecological Assessment and Management Plan

Byers, L. (1996) Management Plan: Deadman Bay and Westside Scenic Corridor

Domico, T. (1998) Site Assessment for Priority Habitats and Species of Concern Lime Kiln Quarries Property

Hanson, T. (2002) Westside Preserve Vegetation Management and Wildflower Update

San Juan Preservation Trust and San Juan County Land Bank. (2003). San Juan Islands Habitat Conservation Plan

Pratt, B. (2004) Historic Structures Report: Boarding House and Feature 10. Mulno Cove Research and Design.

Habegger, E. (2009) Ecological Assessment for the Westside Preserve.

Dethier, M. (2009). Marine Communities of the Land Bank Westside Scenic Preserve: Comparison of 1995 and 2009 Intertidal Surveys

Habegger, E. (2010) Westside Preserve Intertidal Monitoring Survey

Habegger, E (2017) Ecological Assessment for the Reiss Property, Westside Preserve.

External Assessments: Boswell, S. and L. Hudson (2001). Heritage Resource Investigations at the Limekiln Preserve. Northwest Archaeological Associates, Inc. Seattle, WA.

Carlson, R.L. (1960) Chronology and Culture Change in the San Juan Islands, WA. American Antiquity. 25 (4): 562-585. ( tDAR id: 133607) Floberg, J., M. Goering, G. Wilhere, C. MacDonald, C. Chappell, C. Rumsey, Z. Ferdana, A. Holt, P. Skidmore, T. Horsman, E. Alverson, C. Tanner, M. Bryer, P. Iachetti, A. Harcombe, B. McDonald, T. Cook, M. Summers, D. Rolph. (2004). Willamette Valley-Puget Trough-Georgia Basin Ecoregional Assessment, Volume One: Report. Prepared by The Nature Conservancy with support from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources (Natural Heritage and Nearshore Habitat programs), Oregon State Natural Heritage Information Center and the British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. https://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationPlanning/SettingPriorities/Pages/era.aspx MacLennan, A., J. Waggoner and J. Johannessen (2013). Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment for San Juan County, Washington. Prepared by Coastal Geologic Services for Friends of the San Juans. http://sanjuans.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/MacLennanetal_2014_SJC_Sea_Level_Rise_Vulnerability_final.pdf Mauger, G.S., J.H. Casola, H.A. Morgan, R.L. Strauch, B. Jones, B. Curry, T.M. Busch Isaksen, L. Whitely Binder, M.B. Krosby, and A.K. Snover. (2015). State of Knowledge: Climate Change in Puget Sound. Report prepared for the Puget Sound Partnership and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington, Seattle, WA https://cig.uw.edu/resources/specialVreports/psVsok/ Meany, E. (1923). Origin of Washington State Geographic Names. University of Washington Press. Miller, I. (2017). Presentation: Sea Level Rise in Washington State and the San Juan Islands. June 30, 2017 at Brickworks in Friday Harbor, WA. Washington Sea Grant, Olympic Peninsula Field Office, Port Angeles, WA. Pratt, B and N. Turner (2006). Nomination Form and Supporting Documentation for National Register of Historic Places, San Juan County Land Bank Limekiln Preserve and Lime Kiln Point State Park. https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/8e9bff3d-11db-40e7-aa76-75bdfc78ba3a Pratt, B. (2016). Lime: Quarrying and Limemaking in the San Juan Islands. Mulno Cove Publishing, Friday Harbor, WA. REEF Voluntary Fish Survey Project, Washington database, Geographical Reports for Limekiln Point, Deadman Bay, and Edward’s Point Reef. Retrieved January 18, 2017, from http://www.reef.org/db/reports/geo/PAC/2

Stein, J. (2000). Exploring Coast Salish Prehistory: The Archaeology of San Juan Island. University of Washington Press. Suttles, W. (1951). Economic Life of the Coast Salish of Haro and Rosario Straits. PhD diss., Department of Anthropology, University of Washington. Suttles, W. (1987). Coast Salish Essays. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, (2008). Priority Habitat and Species List (Updated 2016). Olympia, Washington. 177 pp. http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/ Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, (2015). Washington’s State Wildlife Action Plan. Olympia, Washington. http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/cwcs/ Washington Department of Natural Resources, (2007). State of Washington Natural Heritage Plan 2007 (Updates 2009 & 20011); Olympia, WA, 100pp. http://www.dnr.wa.gov/NHPconservation Wood, B. (1980). San Juan Island Coastal Place Names and Cartographic Nomenclature, Monograph Publishing Additional Priority Habitat and Species and Cultural Resources Consultation: Phil Green, The Nature Conservancy and REEF Voluntary Fish Project diver.

Dr. Craig Staude, University of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories.

Dr. Adam Summers, University of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories

Dr. Kim Sundberg, San Juan County Salmon Recovery TAG (Technical Advisory Group) member and Director (retired) Alaska Sealife Center.

Kari Koski, Educator and Naturalist.

Susan Vernon, Naturalist and Author.

Boyd Pratt, Mulno Cove Consulting.

Chris Landreau, Principle Investigator, Reiss-Landreau Research.

Tina Whitman, Science Director, Friends of San Juans.

Andrea MacLennan, Coastal Geomorphologist, Coastal Geologic Services

Figure 1. Westside Corridor Context Map _______________

Figure 2. Westside Corridor Ecological Resource Management Ecological community mapping is approximate with variation existing within and gradation between represented zones. It is shown here to provide baseline information for areas of potential ecological management activities.

Figure 3. Limekiln and Deadman Bay Preserves Physical Map_______ This map shows relevant management features associated with the Limekiln and Deadman Bay Preserves.

Figure 4. Westside and Deadman Bay Preserves Physical Map_______ This map shows relevant management features associated with the Westside and Deadman Bay Preserves.

Figure 6. Historic Aerial Photos________________________________ Aerial photos taken from USDA and San Juan County databases. Boundaries overlay is approximate. Photos demonstrate land cover change over time Increase of forest cover is obvious, but degree of this due to reforestation from 19th and 20th century logging activities is difficult to discern. Plant communities and soil types indicate much of the previously open areas likely consisted of prairie, savannah, and woodland habitats.

Appendix A. Priority Habitats and Species _______________ The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a list of Priority Habitats and Species for each region of the state. Some listings are made based on ecological significance, others because of their importance as game animals. Eleven priority habitats and sixty species were identified within the Limekiln, Deadman Bay, and Westside Preserves and adjacent waters, including marine species known or suspected to be present immediately offshore of the Preserve. Activities listed on the uplands may have an effect on marine habitat quality and structure. Priority Habitats and Habitat Features

1. Aspen Stands 2. Herbaceous Balds 3. Garry oak Woodlands 4. West Side Prairie 5. Riparian 6. Fresh Water Wetlands and Fresh Deepwater 7. Instream 8. Cliffs 9. Snags and Logs 10. Talus

Priority Species Birds

1. Bald Eagle** 2. Peregrine Falcon** 3. Band Tailed Pigeon 4. Burrowing Owl1 5. Wood Duck 6. Pileated Woodpecker** 7. Hooded Merganser 8. Trumpeter Swan 9. Vaux’s Swift2** 10. Waterfowl Concentrations 11. Western Washington nonbreeding concentrations of

Bufflehead Barrow’s Goldeneye Common Goldeneye

Mammals 1. Roosting Concentrations of Big-brown Bat , Myotis bats, or Pallid Bat 2. Columbia Black-tailed deer***

Priority Marine Habitats 1. Puget Sound Nearshore

Priority Marine Species Marine Mammals

1. Dall’s porpoise 2. Gray Whale3** 3. Humpback Whale 4. Harbor Seal 5. Killer Whale* 6. Pacific Harbor Porpoise** 7. California Sea Lion4 8. Stellar Sea Lion* 9. Sea Otter5*

Marine Birds

1. Brant 2. Cassin’s Auklet** 3. Tufted Puffin** 4. Harlequin Duck 5. Brandt’s Cormorant** 6. Common Loon 7. Common Murre** 8. Marbled Murrelet* 9. Western Grebe** 10. Western Washington nonbreeding concentrations of

Loons, Grebes, Cormorants, & Alcids 11. Western Washington nonbreeding concentrations of

Charadriidae, Scolopacidae, and Phalaroodidae Marine Fish6

1. White Sturgeon 2. Longfin Smelt 3. Bull Trout/Dolly Varden* 4. Chinook Salmon* 5. Chum Salmon* 6. Coastal Resident/Searun Cutthroat** 7. Steelhead* 8. Pacific Cod** 9. Pacific Hake** 10. Walleye Pollock 11. Brown Rockfish**

12. Greenstriped Rockfish** 13. Redstripe Rockfish** 14. Widow Rockfish** 15. Black Rockfish** 16. Canary Rockfish* 17. China Rockfish** 18. Copper Rockfish** 19. Quillback Rockfish** 20. Tiger Rockfish** 21. Yelloweye Rockfish* 22. Yellowtail Rockfish** 23. Pacific Sand Lance 24. English Sole 25. Rock Sole

Marine Invertebrates

1. Pinto (Northern) Abalone** 2. Olympia Oyster** 3. Pacific Oyster 4. Dungeness Crab 5. Red Urchin

Sensitive, Threatened, and Endangered Plants Washington Department of Natural Resources maintains and manages the lists of sensitive, threatened and endangered plants for the state. U.S. Fish and Wildlife is responsible for federal management. Species of concern known to occur within the Preserves include: Common Name Scientific Name Status

1. Pygmy Stonecrop Crassula connata Threatened 2. Blunt-leaved pondweed Potamogeton obtusifolius Sensitive 3. Golden Paintbrush Castilleja levisecta Threatened

*Species listed as Threatened or Endangered status by State or Federal governments. **Species which are candidates for State or Federal listing as Endangered or Threatened Species or Species of Concern. *** Black-tailed deer are abundant and thriving in the San Juans and are not considered a priority species in the context of Land Bank management of this preserve. 1Burrowing Owl listed from single occurrence on the Westside Preserve in the early 1990s. 2Vaux’s Swift has been documented at Lime Kiln Point State Park and likely is an occasional but rare visitor on the Preserves.

3Gray Whales are occasionally seen from the Preserve during migration periods. Habitat is not suitable for longer term residence. 4California sea lions are seen occasionally from the Preserve throughout the year but no significant haul-outs occur. 5Sea otters have been documented in the kelp beds offshore the Limekiln and Westside Preserves on rare occasions in recent years. There is no evidence their historic range included inland waters, but Priority Species guidelines dictate any occurrence warranting inclusion. 6 Marine Fish – Fish listed are known or suspected to be present immediately offshore as either residents or during migration. See references for sources on fish presence.

Appendix B. Preserve Rules and Use Restrictions _________ The following use restrictions will be in effect for the Limekiln, Deadman Bay, and Westside Preserves. Restrictions are intended to protect the ecology of the preserve, the safety and peace of neighbors, and to minimize management costs. They will be posted on site and mentioned in literature as appropriate. The Land Bank generally relies on signage and periodic contact from staff or volunteers to educate visitors about use restrictions. An enforcement ordinance governing activities on Land Bank Preserves was adopted by the San Juan County Council on August 25, 2009. When necessary, enforcement actions may be carried out through the San Juan County Sheriff’s office.

• No camping • No fires • No hunting • No discharge of firearms • Daytime use only • Dogs must be leashed • Pedestrian access only beyond road • No vehicles • No bicycles • No horses • No commercial use • Collection of botanical specimens for personal consumption limited to one quarter per

person per day. Collection of zoological, geologic or other specimens in prohibited except on a permission-only basis for scientific or educational purposes

Appendix C. Land Bank Special Use Policy

SPECIAL EVENTS ON LAND BANK PROPERTIES

BACKGROUND As described in the Land Bank’s policy on Public Participation and Access (adopted 11/19/1991), public access is allowed on Land Bank fee-owned properties when it is not detrimental to the conservation resources and is not too costly to oversee. Recreational use is generally limited to low-intensity activities. Other activities that are compatible with the land’s conservation resources may be allowed. The Land Bank periodically receives requests to conduct special events, such as wedding ceremonies, on fee-owned properties. Such events potentially constitute high-intensity use. They may be acceptable, however, on selected Preserves and with certain restrictions. This policy provides a guide for Land Bank staff to approve or deny requests for special events. It should be reviewed periodically and revised as needed. The purpose of this policy is to minimize impacts to conservation resources, as well as minimize staff time spent managing events. A special event is here defined as a planned, private activity involving more than 15 people. No permission is required for groups of 15 people or less. This policy does not apply to educational or scientific groups, which will be evaluated on an individual basis. SPECIAL EVENT RULES These rules apply to all special events except those at Eastsound Waterfront Park, where San Juan County Parks policies apply. 1. Group size may not exceed 50 individuals. 2. Events may last no more than 4 hours including any set-up and clean-up. 3. Any trash generated must be removed. The property shall be left in the same condition as it was before the event. 4. Carpooling or shuttling is required; see parking notes under individual properties. 5. A portable toilet may be required, depending on size and duration of the event.

6. Sound systems are not allowed. 7. Alcohol is not allowed. 8. Exact time and location of the event, as well as the placement of any chairs, tables, or other set-up materials, must be approved by Land Bank staff. Large canopy tents are not allowed. In general, the use of set-up materials is discouraged. See additional notes under individual properties. 9. The property will remain open to the public during the event, which should be staged so as not to interfere with regular public access. 10. All other general property use restrictions, such as dogs on leash, no campfires, etc., will apply to the event. PROPERTIES WHERE SPECIAL EVENTS ARE ALLOWED San Juan Island: Special events are allowed at Limekiln Preserve, in the quarries along the main trail system. The Westside Lake parking area is available for parking, leaving the 2-3 spots at the gate entrance open for other visitors. Only minimal set-up materials may be used in this natural area, for example, chairs for elderly visitors. Orcas Island: Eastsound Waterfront Park is available for special events. San Juan County Parks will handle permitting for this property, in consultation with Land Bank staff, according to Parks policy. Lopez Island: The mowed field at Hummel Lake may be used for special events. Only 6 parking spaces are available; 2 of these must be left unoccupied at all times for other visitors. Special events at Fisherman Bay Spit must be restricted to the upland portion of the property. Absolutely no events may take place on the sand spit. Two parking spaces must be left open at all times for the public. Only minimal set-up materials may be used in this natural area.