The Chehalis Rive Basin Land Trust (CRBLT) has received a conservation easement from the sale of a two-mile portion of abandoned railroad right-of-way along the Chehalis River near Galvin in Lewis County. Scott Horner, local developer, donated the easement on 57 acres between Galvin and Prather Road when he sold the land to Jesse Banick and Dan Van der Kolk. The new landowners will maintain the land as a natural area for the protection of fish and wildlife.
The natural values of this parcel are varied. A cliff just to the west of the railline contains fossil beds valuable to students in Centralia College's Geology Department. Also, within this corridor stands the largest grove of mature cottonwoods remaining along the Chehalis. The whole riparian forest protects fish habitat in the river and at the mouth of Lincoln Creek.
It also sustains high concentrations of songbirds congregating in the Centralia area.
Land trusts are non-profit organizations of citizens dedicated to conserving lands which are sensitive for ecological, historical, cultural or other reasons. Ecologically sensitive lands can include mature forests, wetlands, stream and river corridors, caves and homes for threatened and endangered plants and animals. Protection may be achieved through purchase, conservation easements, life estates or other agreements. Conservation easements are legal agreements which limit land uses to those mot destructive to the natural values being conserved. They are usually perpetual and are recorded with the deed at the county assessor's office.
For CRBLT, established in 1994, this conservation easement represents the first large land responsibility it has undertaken in the Chehalis Basin. It plans to assist the landowners with tree plantings and other activities in areas which need some restoration. Customarily, land trusts establish a management fund for each easement to help them fulfill their commitments.
Donations are being accepted to help maintain this magnificent piece of river corridor.
On Saturday, May 9, CRBLT will hold a dedication ceremony and celebration of this new acquisition. It will be held from Noon until 2 p.m. at the Galvin entrance to the property. A small parking area is available. The public is invited.
The Chehalis River Basin Land Trust holds monthly meetings at 7 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday at the Chehalis River Council office in Route #12 in Oakville. The public is always invited to join the board at these discussions. On Friday May 8, the land trust will hold its Annual Meeting.
The place and time will be announced. The public is cordially invited to join in that event also.
Janet Strong CRBLT President
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