Subject: [Tweeters] Reardan update
Date: Nov 20 15:42:26 2005
From: Cindy McCormack - cbirds at comcast.net


Hi!

Here's the latest on Reardan's Audubon Lake (Reardan east pond):

Land Trust moves forward with plans to purchase Reardan's Audubon Lake

Inland Northwest Land Trust (INLT) is preparing to exercise its option to
purchase Reardan's Audubon Lake in order to ensure permanent protection of
its magnificent conservation values. INLT plans to sell the property to the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to be held and managed as
critical habitat.

Located just a half-hour from Spokane, Reardan's Audubon Lake is a
birdwatcher's paradise. The shallow, fertile lake is an important stopover
for migratory shorebirds and other waterfowl.

When the lake was put up for sale two and one-half years ago, INLT and
Spokane Audubon Society worked together to find a way to permanently protect
the lake and surrounding land for the numerous bird species that rely on it.
INLT negotiated with the owner of Reardan's Audubon Lake, Susan Eastman, and
bought some time to acquire it. Members of INLT, Spokane Audubon Society,
and several Audubon chapters from Coeur d'Alene to Gray's Harbor raised
$51,000 to buy an option to purchase the entire 277-acre property. The
option gives INLT until March 26, 2006, to raise the rest of the $350,000
purchase price.

Earlier this year, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
received approval to purchase Reardan's Audubon Lake as critical habitat
using funding through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program.
Government agencies must proceed very carefully in order to fulfill their
responsibilities to the taxpayers who fund them. WDFW must go through
several steps, including obtaining an appraisal, survey, and environmental
assessment, as well as having the deal approved by the Fish and Wildlife
Commission before it can purchase any property. This process takes time.

INLT's option agreement with Susan Eastman will expire in March 2006.
Because there is no guarantee that WDFW will be able to purchase Audubon
Lake before the option expires, INLT has decided to move forward with its
own plans to purchase the property. INLT is working with a foundation to
secure a $300,000 short-term, low-interest loan.

When WDFW has completed the steps required before a state purchase, INLT
will then sell Audubon Lake to WDFW as quickly as possible. INLT will use
the proceeds of the sale to pay off the loan.

For more information, visit www.inlandnwlandtrust.org or contact Vicki at
Inland Northwest Land Trust at 509-462-1239 or vsola at inlandnwlandtrust.org.
Vicki Sola


It shouldn't be too much longer before birders have a safer viewing point!

Cindy

Cindy McCormack
Spokane, WA
cbirds at comcast.net