How do I apply for a right-of-way across state Trust lands,
and what is the process?
Among our responsibilities as state trust land manager is granting rights-of-way across the lands for various uses—mostly uses such as public roads and utilities, irrigation, etc. The trusts are paid for the use of trust lands. Not all rights-of-ways are granted.
Take a look at our Rights-of-Way webpage for information, and contact the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) region office where the specific lands are located to discuss your access needs with the Region Right-of-Way Specialist.
If the discussion results in the need to apply for a road use permit, license or easement, please read the application instructions and download the application or request that an application be sent to you.
Complete the application and submit an original, signed application along with all required supporting documents to the Division Right-of-Way Program at:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Rights-of-Way Program
MS 47016
Olympia, WA 98504-7016
Phone: 360-902-1600
The application will be reviewed to ensure that it has been fully completed and is accompanied by all required documentation. You will be notified if your application has been accepted as complete, or if it requires additional information.
If DNR Rights-of-Way staff finds the application complete, it will be assigned an application number and an on-site inspection will be conducted to evaluate the environmental and management impacts of your right-of-way request.
Based on this evaluation, a decision will be made to either accept or deny your right-of-way request. You will be notified if your request has been accepted or denied.
If your request is accepted, it will be forwarded to the DNR Appraisal Section for valuation and to the Survey Section for creation of the legal description and exhibit maps of the right-of-way area.
Once the appraisal and survey sections have completed their reviews, a right-of-way agreement will be drafted by the Division Rights-of-Way Program and you will be sent two copies of the agreement for signature.
Once you have signed the two agreements they are to be returned to DNR along with payment for the right-of-way.
Once payment is received, the agreements will be submitted to the Commissioner of Public Lands for approval and signature.
When the agreement is signed by both parties, you will be sent an original signed agreement and will be asked to record the original in the appropriate county records. The recorded original agreement will be returned to DNR.
DNR Website: www.dnr.wa.gov