Last week the Town of Coupeville sold development rights to the Navy on 54 acres of property it owns near Outlying Field.

The transaction for a restrictive easement was facilitated through the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and netted the town $800,000.

Pat Powell, executive director for the Land Trust, said her organization often works with other groups where there’s a property that meets the goals of all parties involved.

In this instance, the property in question is 54 acres that includes forest land on Keystone Hill. The property has a deep aquifer that the town uses as the primary water source for its utility system because the location has better withdrawal and water quality than the town’s other wells.

“The details of the … restrictive easement allow for the continued use of the land for additional wells and for future addition to the existing water treatment plant,” said Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard. “Restricting any further development preserves the forest, open space, water quality, aquifer recharge and wildlife habitat in this area.

“This preservation is consistent and very complimentary to the town’s purpose for the land … the primary watershed for our water utility.”

Because the town first purchased the Keystone Hill property using a grant acquired to support the town’s utilities system, the $800,000 will go back into the town’s utilities fund.

The town is currently reviewing its capital improvement needs and utility rate structures for a planned rate increase in 2015.

With the added $800,000, the planned rate increases will likely be less for customers, Conard said.

Powell said the property fits into the Land Trust’s goal of protecting land around the Crockett Lake ecosystem.

“One of the needs in Crockett Lake is to retain forest land,” she said.

In recent years it’s been difficult acquiring funding to protect forests. Funds mainly go to protect open prairies, salmon habitat, coastal features and beach access, she said.

The Keystone Hill property drains into Crocket Lake and performs a service only nature can provide, Powell said. It’s a critical component for that ecosystem that provides a home for 240 different species.

The property also runs adjacent to Outlying Field and fits into the Navy’s interest in restricting development around the airfield.

The Navy will hold that easement and monitor it once a year, Powell said.

This isn’t the first property the Land Trust has worked with the Navy in acquiring development rights in recent years.

The Navy holds restrictive easements on seven properties around Outlying Field.

Two are in Smith Prairie along Parker Road and were acquired in 2006 and 2011.

Earlier this year, the Land Trust helped facilitate restrictive easements on two properties near the Town of Coupeville’s property.

The Janicki property is located just north of the town’s property and the Manke property is on the other side of the road. Combined, those properties equal 97 acres.

The Navy also holds restrictive easements on two properties near Crockett Lake, which are owned by the Land Trust.

There are also several other properties the Land Trust and Navy have identified for possible future easements.

Powell said there are two properties in Ebey’s Prairie and one up by Dugualla Bay, but there are no other active easements in the works.

“We’ll continue to partner with them where it fits the Land Trust’s goals,” she said.