A seven-month campaign to raise enough money to buy 150 acres of ridgetop on Little Badger Mountain and preserve it apparently isn't going to succeed.
At least not this year.
After receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from more than 500 donors since the campaign launched in May, Friends of Badger Mountain admitted this week that they can't make their goal, and donors are welcome to ask for their money back.
The nonprofit group, which has a goal of preserving ridgetops in the Tri-Cities, was trying to raise $1 million to use in negotiating a price for 150 acres atop Little Badger Mountain. The land is owned by Milo Bauder, a developer from Richland.
"For a small group we've done pretty well, but we basically are far apart," said Debbie Berkowitz, the group's vice president.
The group collected about $200,000 by mid-summer. Berkowitz said they were not announcing how much they had in hand now nor how much Bauder was asking, to "respect his request that it not be made public."
An e-mail sent this week to all of the donors in the preservation effort thanked them for moral and financial support, but noted that goal was unattainable unless "an angel" steps forward with a large donation.
"We had offered what we felt was an amount that we could comfortably raise. (Bauder) responded that our offer was too low, but (he would consider another offer)," the e-mail said.
"After much soul searching, the board has regretfully concluded that the project is not currently viable," said Sharon Grant, president of the group, in the e-mail to the donors.
Bauder told the Herald on Wednesday that he did not want to talk about the issue because he considers the negotiations ongoing.
Grant's e-mail said the Friends' board is considering using the money to buy other land on the south side of Badger Mountain to preserve ridges and have more trails.
But Grant said donors who gave specifically for acquiring property on Little Badger Mountain can ask to have their donations returned before the end of the 2008 tax year. Refund requests should be made in writing to Friends of Badger Mountain, 1701 Fanning Road, Pasco, WA 99301.
For more information about the Friends of Badger Mountain and the project to buy land on Little Badger Mountain, go to www.friendsofbadger.org.
Similar stories:
Richland planners back Falconcrest
Richland planners back Falconcrest
The Richland Planning Commission in a 4-0 vote Wednesday recommended that the city council approve a new proposal for the ridge of Little Badger Mountain.
There was some question whether a vote by only four members of the nine-member commission was valid, but commissioners were assured because five members were present, the vote was OK.
Commissioners Clifford Clark, Mary Jo Coblentz and Stanley Jones were absent from Wednesday's meeting, and Debbie Burkowitz recused herself from voting on the preliminary plat for Falconcrest, a new development proposed by Milo Bauder to replace previous plans for The Crest development.
Candy Mountain trail proposed
Candy Mountain trail proposed
Thousands of hikers who trek up Badger Mountain might have a new, nearby hill to climb.
Two private property owners plan to create a public trail for hikers and horseback riders on the peak next to Badger Mountain.
Mark L. Ufkes of Seattle and Robert Margulies of Richland say they are interested in developing some of their property while still protecting the environment and the contour of Candy Mountain.
Candy Mountain proposal meets need for open space
Candy Mountain proposal meets need for open space
We're not sure if their actions are strategic or altruistic or a little of both, but we sure like the plan proposed by two developers for 250 acres on Candy Mountain.
The men plan to make a hiking and horseback riding trail on Candy Mountain, which is the peak next to the very popular Badger Mountain.
They will also develop a portion of the land as well, building 40 homes on the east shoulder of the mountain. Plans are to leave the top alone, except for the hiking trail.
Developer pitches redo with Falconcrest project in Richland
Developer pitches redo with Falconcrest project in Richland
RICHLAND -- With a new version of Dallas headed to TV in 2012, perhaps it was only a matter of time before fellow '80s primetime soap Falcon Crest also made a comeback.
Only the Falconcrest soon to be talked about by Richland residents is not a TV show or a movie reboot -- it's a new housing subdivision proposed by developer Milo Bauder for the slopes of what locally is known as the saddle of Badger Mountain.
The Richland Planning Commission tonightwill consider Bauder's proposal for a preliminary plat for Falconcrest, which takes the place of a former application he submitted for The Crest development on the same parcel.
Richland developer pitches redo of project
Richland developer pitches redo of project
With a new version of Dallas headed to TV in 2012, perhaps it was only a matter of time before fellow '80s primetime soap Falcon Crest also made a comeback.
Only the Falconcrest soon to be talked about by Richland residents is not a TV show or a movie reboot -- it's a new housing subdivision proposed by developer Milo Bauder for the slopes of what locally is known as the saddle of Badger Mountain.
The Richland Planning Commission tonight will consider Bauder's proposal for a preliminary plat for Falconcrest, which takes the place of a former application he submitted for The Crest development on the same parcel.
Print
Email Story
