OVER 400 ACRES PROTECTED ON SHORES OF HOOD CANAL

A public-private partnership today announced the protection of Camp Hahobas on the shores of Hood Canal near Belfair, Washington. Working in collaboration, The Trust for Public Land, Great Peninsula Conservancy, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and U.S. Navy have protected important lands in the unique Hood Canal ecosystem for multiple public benefits, including habitat conservation, recreation, forest management, and military readiness for the Navy.

 “This collaboration is about creating shared success for the community and our state. By working in partnership, we are preserving working forestland, supporting the local economy, and protecting critical wildlife and fish habitat,” said Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands. “I am honored that the Department of Natural Resources was able to play a role in preserving these lands for future generations.” 

“The Navy has created a strong partnership with our Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration partners in Hood Canal,” said Capt. Alan Schrader, Naval Base Kitsap commanding officer. “Together we’ve protected more than 12,000 acres of habitat and working forests in Hood Canal. This project represents an opportunity to bring together multiple land trusts and agencies to reach a common goal. In addition, it protects the Navy’s mission from incompatible development, while providing public recreation opportunities and habitat protection.”

While the Pacific Harbors Council of Boy Scouts will retain ownership of 120 acres of former Boy Scout Camp Hahobas, the remaining 430 acres will be divided into two ownerships in order to best conserve the property and its various natural resources. The Navy was  a significant funding partner in this transaction with the purchase of a restrictive easement over the entire 430 acre property that prevents incompatible development and protects recreational and natural resource uses. A loan from The Conservation Fund, a national land protection partner, to Great Peninsula Conservancy was also used to acquire the property. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources will own 268 acres and Great Peninsula Conservancy will own 162 acres.

“This project represents a remarkable team effort by all parties to protect this unique, incredible property and to keep it open to the public. Visitors are able to stand on the shoreline and look west across Hood Canal and see the peaks in the heart of Olympic National Park,” says Richard Corff, Trust for Public Land Washington Director of Land Conservation. “I can’t wait to show my kids and it seems incredible, in our quickly changing world, that they will be able to show their kids the same place when the time comes. I would like to thank all of the partners, as well as the Washington congressional delegation – Senators Murray and Cantwell and Congressman Kilmer – for their support.”

Since the 1930s, generations of children have spent their summers at Camp Hahobas on Hood Canal’s scenic shores. Recently, the Pacific Harbors Council decided to consolidate their operations into one camp. Fortunately, when the Scouts made the decision to sell a large portion of Camp Hahobas, they approached The Trust for Public Land with a desire to keep this scenic location open to the public and prevent summer home development.

“The Outdoor Code reads: As an American, I will do my best to – be clean in my outdoor manners. Be careful with fire. Be considerate in the outdoors. Be conservation minded. Every Scout learns the Outdoor Code as a part of our training. Being involved with the Trust for Public Land and being able to conserve this land for future generations felt like good Scouting,” said Pacific Harbors Council Scout Executive, Ralph Voelker.

The Navy is contributing funding for the purchase from the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program. By protecting the lands surrounding Hood Canal, the Navy can ensure that vital training and testing for submarines at Naval Base Kitsap can continue well into the future. As a nationwide program, REPI enables the Navy and the other military services to simultaneously prevent incompatible development near installations, protect natural resources, and promote military readiness.

Most of the upland portion of the property, about 268 acres, will be owned by Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and managed as working forest to support local public schools and public access to the outdoors. The more sensitive Hood Canal shoreline will transfer to Great Peninsula Conservancy to protect habitat for fish and wildlife and provide opportunities for public enjoyment of nature. This portion of the property is made up of nearly 162 acres of evergreen forest and more than half mile of shoreline and tidelands.

“This remote shoreline on Hood Canal is a place of incredible beauty and significance to fish and wildlife. Walking the beach feels like a step back in time. Great Peninsula Conservancy members are proud to conserve this natural legacy for our children and grandchildren,” said Sandra Staples-Bortner, Executive Director of Great Peninsula Conservancy.

“When our community works together to protect public lands, we’re really protecting our region’s economy and identity. I’ve advocated for funding the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program, because it enables investments like these that protect lands for recreation, conserves habitat, and sustains jobs across the region,” Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) said. “I commend the Navy for being a good neighbor and the Trust for Public Lands, the Boy Scouts and our state’s leaders for making this happen.”

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About The Trust for Public Land

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live near a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit www.tpl.org.

About Great Peninsula Conservancy

Great Peninsula Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust working to protect forever the natural habitats, rural landscapes, and open spaces of the Great Peninsula – a region encompassing Kitsap, north Mason, and west Pierce counties, Washington. Great Peninsula Conservancy has protected over 10,000 acres of this spectacular region of west Puget Sound, including magnificent forests, saltwater shorelines, salmon streams, and wildlife-rich estuaries.  More at greatpeninsula.org.

About Naval Base Kitsap

Naval Base Kitsap supports the Navy by providing reliable and timely base operating services for our ships, submarines and shore commands in Bangor, Bremerton, Keyport and Manchester. NBK provides critical services, programs and facilities that meet the needs of hosted warfighting commands and installation employees. NBK will continue to be the best place to serve in the Navy.

About Washington State Department of Natural Resources:

Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, DNR manages more than 5.6 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural, conservation, and aquatic lands. Of these, more than half are held in trust to produce income to support public schools, universities, prisons, and other state institutions. State trust lands managed by DNR provide other public benefits, including outdoor recreation, habitat for native fish and wildlife, and watersheds for clean water.

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