FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2012
Board of Natural Resources approves the addition of forested state trust land in Pacific County
Working forestland will support public school construction
OLYMPIA – The state Board of Natural Resources today approved the purchase of a 163-acre tract of forestland in Pacific County for $1.6 million. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will manage the acquired parcel as a source of long-term revenue to support public school construction statewide.
The property, which was acquired from a willing, private seller, is approximately 10 miles southeast of Raymond and South Bend. The parcel includes about 3 million board feet of timber valued at $910,000. The purchase will also open access for DNR to potentially harvest an additional $4 million worth of timber on adjacent state trust land – funds that also will support public school construction.
Funds for the acquisition will come from a land replacement account that DNR uses to acquire working forests and other lands. The account is funded by the sales of trust lands that are less productive or less likely to provide long-term revenue to the public school beneficiaries.
DNR manages state trust lands
Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR manages more than 5.6 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural, conservation, and aquatic lands. Of these, more than half are held in trust to produce income to support public schools, universities, prisons, and other state institutions. These state trust lands managed by DNR provide other public benefits, including outdoor recreation, habitat for native fish and wildlife, and watersheds for clean water.
Media Contact: Bob Redling, Senior Communications Manager, 360-902-1149, bob.redling@dnr.wa.gov
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