Background: OC3 member groups are alarmed at the level of funding* coming into Okanogan County to solicit individual landowner decisions to grant conservation easements on their private property. Unfortunately, these landowners are being offered limited information, only from the land trusts and agencies promoting these conservation easements. OC3 is proud to sponsor these meetings to provide landowners enough information to make informed decisions for their property and future.

*Funding for Land Acquisition & Conservation Easements coming into Okanogan County:

January 2001: $1.3 million to Methow Conservancy from WA Salmon Recovery Funding Board

February 2001: $2 million to Trust for Public Land and Methow Conservancy from US F&W

May 2001: $2.5million to Trust for Public Land from Bonneville Power Administration

June 2001: $6.7million to WA Fish & Wildlife from WA Wildlife and Recreation Program 

About the Guest Speaker: J. Zane Walley is the editor of Paragon Powerhouse a monthly educational newsletter. He is a "much-sought-after" speaker on property/water rights in general and conservation easements in particular. Jay served as Master of Ceremonies for the 2001 Alliance for America Fly-In for Freedom, and spent several weeks this summer at the Klamath Basin headgate encampment. His articles frequently appear in many publications: including Range Magazine; Sierra Times; Off-Road etc. OC3 Newsletter recently featured a series of his articles on conservation easements in the Aug, Sept, Oct issues.

Walley is also slated on the Okanogan County Commissioners Agenda for Monday, October 22-01; 1:30-2:30pm; Commissioners hearing room; Okanogan