DNR Board Refuses to Revisit Thorpe Sale, Conservationists Shift Strategy to Work Directly with Developer
At Tuesday’s final Board of Natural Resources meeting before the April 6 deadline for the Thorpe sale’s termination clause, the Board declined to revisit the sale despite efforts from a broad coalition of nearly 100. As a result, instead of awaiting funding as an approved Trust Land Transfer (TLT) project—one that would have transferred management of the nearly 200-acre Thorpe/Westwood Natural Area to the Spokane Parks Department—the land is now set to be sold to Blue Fern LLC, a development company planning to build approximately 1,000 homes.
wildflowers blooming in the Thorpe/Westwood Natural Area, Ken Lower
Speaking on behalf of a coalition of over 50 local elected officials and stakeholders who sent a letter imploring the DNR Board reconsider the sale, Washington Wild’s Executive Director Tom Uniack stated, “We obviously think the TLT option is best for Spokane, is best for DNR, is best for trust beneficiaries, and best for local communities. We’re disappointed that the board did not take the opportunity at this very timely board meeting to step back to consider what is the best decision here”.
After the board meeting, Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove said in a statement that he understood the Thorpe Road property’s value to conservationists but noted that the board had not expressed a desire to revisit the matter.
“I have personally hiked the property with conservation advocates and appreciate the value of the natural features on the landscape,” Upthegrove wrote. “However, the exchange was approved unanimously by the Board of Natural Resources in January prior to me taking office. Regardless of whether or not I would have made a different decision, no member of this board expressed an interest in revisiting the decision, so it was not added to today’s agenda.”
“Since taking office, I have respected past decisions of the Board of Natural Resources and have remained focused on the future,” he continued. “I look forward to approaching future decisions with thoughtful conservation values and a commitment to meaningful public engagement.”
The termination clause marked the best chance to retain the City of Spokane’s TLT option for this diverse and vital wildlife habitat and cherished greenspace, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still an opportunity to conserve the area. Washington Wild and others will continue to explore all potential avenues, lobbying the city, state, and Blue Fern LLC to identify opportunities to find some sort of middle ground before the deal officially closes on July 13.
Jeff Lambert, the president of the Spokane-based Friends of the Bluff conservation group, has been working to protect the area since 1997 and says not protecting the wildlife corridor is a major loss. “I’m disappointed,” said Lambert. “But we are going to continue to advocate for this place as a nature preserve.”
Katelyn Scott, and Water Protector with Spokane Riverkeeper explains, “As our region continues to see high levels of growth, it’s even more important for our state and local officials to carefully consider the development of natural lands like this property. Hangman (Latah) Creek already faces significant challenges with pollution, and development adjacent to the creek is a threat to the ongoing restoration efforts throughout the basin.”
Related Media
VIDEO: Boomtown segment by KREM2
Media Spotlight Shines on DNR’s Controversial Public Lands Sale in Spokane
