FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2009
State DNR will hold public hearing March 18 on exchange of trust land with Kitsap County Parks and Recreation
County and DNR would exchange parcels for park area near Newberry Hill
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public meeting and hearing in Port Orchard on March 18 to provide information and receive testimony on a proposed exchange of state trust land with Kitsap County Parks and Recreation. The exchange would allow DNR to consolidate Common School Trust lands it manages in the area for more efficient operations. Kitsap County would receive suitable space for public recreation and wildlife habitat.
Public meeting and hearing details
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Time: 6 p.m. Informational Meeting
7 p.m. Public Hearing
Location: Kitsap County Commission Chambers
County Administrative Building
614 Division St.
Port Orchard
The proposal would exchange approximately 520 acres of forested state trust land for approximately 520 acres of forestland owned by Kitsap County. The exchange parcels are located just north of the DNR-managed Green Mountain State Forest and south of Kitsap County’s Heritage Park.
Independent appraisals will be used to ensure that the exchange lands are of equal value. The exact amount of acreage exchanged will be determined by the appraisal results and adjusted to reach an exchange of equal values.
Written comments welcome by April 13
Written testimony on the exchange will be received until 5 p.m., April 13, 2009. Address correspondence to: DNR, Asset Management and Recreation Division, ATTN: Newberry Hill Trust Land Exchange, PO Box 47014, Olympia, WA 98504-7014; or send comments by e-mail to: exchanges@dnr.wa.gov
Comments will be considered by DNR in developing a final exchange agreement. A summary of the comments and the exchange agreement will be presented to the Board of Natural Resources at a regularly scheduled meeting.
To download maps and descriptions of the two parcels, use the following Web link:
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/BusinessPermits/Topics/LandExchanges/Pages/amp_exc_newberry_hill.aspx
Or, go to www.dnr.wa.gov Click on the “Leasing and Land Transactions” link and then select the “Proposed Trust Land Exchanges” link found under the heading: Land Exchanges.
PLEASE NOTE: The meeting facility is barrier-free. Persons with a disability who need assistance or information in a different format should call Cindy Neff, (360) 902-1009, at least 10 days before the meeting for alternative arrangements. The phone number for the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service is 1-800-833-6388.
Media Contact: Bob Redling, Communications Manager, 360-902-1149, bob.redling@dnr.wa.gov
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