Washington Department of FISH and WILDLIFE

Washingto n D e par t m e n t o f F i s h a n d W i l d l i f e E s t u a r y a n d S a l m o n R e s t o r a t i o n Program 6 0 0 C a p i t o l W ay N o r t h, O l y m p i a , WA 98501-1091 esrp@dfw. w a . g o v - 3 6 0 - 9 0 2 - 2 6 0 3

 August 8, 2007

Gordon Scott
Whatcom Land Trust
Post Office Box 6131
Bellingham, Washington 98227

SUBJECT: ESTUARY AND SALMON RESTORATION PROGRAM APPLICATION
FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LILY POINT PROJECT

Dear Mr. Scott:
In the 2007-09 biennial budget, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was authorized
to fund $7.5 Million in projects through competitive awards to protect and restore the Puget
Sound nearshore ecosystem. Through a one-month Request for Proposals, we received 73
applications for funds. Applications were reviewed and ranked by technical and policy staff of
the inter-governmental Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership and affiliated organizations.
Whatcom Land Trust's proposal to acquire and protect Lily Point was ranked #2 of those 73
proposals. Following more intensive review of the project, the Nearshore Partnership Executive
Committee endorsed a spending plan to obligate $1.75 million for acquisition and protection of
Lily Point.

Protection of existing high-functioning sites is a critical element of Puget Sound nearshore
ecosystem restoration. Located at the junction of Georgia Strait and Boundary Bay, undeveloped
but privately owned, Lily Point is one of the most culturally, scenically and ecologically rich
properties in the greater Puget Sound region. Lily Point's healthy reefs, rocky tidelands, sandy
beaches, mature marine shoreline forests, and two extensive feeder bluffs ­ contribute
substantially to the vitality of the South Georgia Basin.

We offer our strongest support of Whatcom Land Trust's efforts and are moving to obligate 50
percent of the purchase price as a challenge to the Whatcom Land Trust to protect this precious
resource for future generations. We hope you will support this effort.

Sincerely,


Tim Smith, Program Director
Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership

cc: Paul Cereghino, ESRP Program Manager
.