Another piece of prime land on Whidbey Island will be protected forever.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has transferred 40 acres of undeveloped land off Humphrey Road to the Clinton Water District. The board approved transfer of the property under a land- trust transfer program, which provided funding for most of the property’s appraised value of $534,000 through a lease agreement.

The action allows the water district to purchase the remaining value for $47,000 and own, rather than lease, the land. The property will continue to be managed for fish and wildlife habitat, open space and recreation as required by the transfer program.

“This land will be protected as a natural watershed in perpetuity,” said water district manager Mike Helland.