This week, Ear to the Ground presents highlights from the first-year report card on DNR’s Strategic Plan goals.
On April 29, Governor Chris Gregoire signed a measure that establishes the Community Forest Trust – a new category of trust land that DNR will manage to help prevent the conversion of working forests into developed areas. The measure took effect on July 22, 2011.
The Community Forest Trust sets its sights on working forestlands on the urban ‘fringe,’ which can be more difficult and expensive to manage for natural resources income. Under the new measure, the trust can acquire suitable forest lands through a type of ‘trust land transfer’ or by purchase from willing private sellers. Instead of supporting current state trust beneficiaries’ needs, such as public school construction, the new trust’s lands will need only generate enough revenue to reimburse DNR’s management costs. In other words, break even.
DNR will place a priority on potential Community Forest Trust lands that could help buffer nearby public or private working forests from encroaching development. Communities seeking a Community Trust Forest acquisition will have to contribute a portion of the acquisition costs, but most of the funds will come from the state’s Trust Land Transfer Program.
Keeping forestlands in working status has many benefits in addition to local timber and natural resource jobs; they also support clean air and water, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation.
Forests in the new trust will be actively managed according to plans developed by DNR with local community input.
The measure, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1421, was previously approved by the House, 55-43, and by the Senate, 39-10.
See more of our milestones and goals.
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EAR TO THE GROUND WITH DNR & COMMISSIONER FRANZ 