FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLC joins Merrill and Ring in preserving pristine estuary on Strait of Juan de Fuca

One of the most pristine estuaries on the Olympic Peninsula has been preserved from potential development through a real estate agreement finalized this week between Merrill and Ring and the Cascade Land Conservancy, assuring access for migratory waterfowl, soaring eagles and wild salmon.

A conservation easement, which essentially removes development rights from the 926-acre property, has been purchased by the CLC from Merrill and Ring, the land owner.

Merrill and Ring maintains ownership of the property, including its headquarters area, but has committed to permanently managing the natural areas according to high habitat standards, established by the conservation easement.

The property, about an hour west of Port Angeles along Highway 112, includes the estuary, roughly 2 miles of saltwater shoreline, sandy beaches, an additional 269 acres of tidelands, and Pillar Point, a prominent forested bluff extending almost 800 feet in height, with steep cliffs sloping down to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  The estuary is approximately 600 acres of intact low salt marsh, sand dunes, and freshwater tributaries.

“Long-term ownership by Merrill and Ring, combined with contemporary forest management practices in the upper watershed have prevented conversion to development and maintained the estuary in a pristine condition,” said Leslie Batten of the CLC.  “But there was no guarantee that future ownerships would maintain these values.”

“The property has a great deal of potential real estate value but we wanted to see it preserved as it is,” said Dick Stroble of Merrill and Ring.  “We initially began exploratory conversations with the CLC about working forest conservation and eventually came to the agreement that closed this week. We look forward to exploring future opportunities for conservation collaboration with the CLC.”

Conservation of the property demonstrates just one aspect of Merrill and Ring’s strong commitment to the land.  Over the last 15 years, Merrill and Ring has worked with the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe, the Makah Tribe and Washington Departments of Natural Resources, Department of Ecology, Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Merrill and Ring said it would consider restoration projects, but formal plans will be developed through discussion and agreement with Cascade Land Conservancy.

Currently, Clallam County is experiencing a growing population that is increasing development pressure throughout the county.  Future pressures for development could eventually have included homes on the visually stunning Pillar Point or a marina in the Pysht estuary.  The conservation easement will protect the dynamic Pysht estuary ecosystem in perpetuity from future development pressures.

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