FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2009
Board of Natural Resources approves trust land transactions
Common School Trust to receive funds for land transfers to Clark County and Clinton Water District in Island County
OLYMPIA – Yesterday at its regular monthly meeting, the Board of Natural Resources approved the transfer of a 118-acre parcel of Common School Trust land near Ridgefield to Clark County for a negotiated price of $2.3 million. Clark County is using funds from its Conservation Futures Open Space Program to purchase the property, which is 14 miles north of Vancouver and 2 miles west of I-5. The state-owned parcel, which has mixed-use zoning and an eagle nesting site, was isolated from other state trust land and was not producing income for the trust. The proceeds from the transfer will be used to purchase replacement land that is more suitable for long-term revenue production for the Common School Trust.
The Board also approved transferring 40 acres of undeveloped land on Whidbey Island to the Clinton Water District. The Board previously approved transfer of this property under the Trust Land Transfer Program, which provided funding for most of the property’s appraised value of $534,000 through a lease agreement. Today’s action allows the Clinton Water District to purchase the remaining value and own, rather than lease, the property. The property will continue to be managed for fish and wildlife habitat, open space or recreation as required by the Trust Land Transfer Program.
About the Washington State Department of Natural Resources
DNR manages about 5.6 million acres of state-owned trust forests; agricultural, aquatic, range and conservation lands; and commercial properties. DNR manages these properties to earn income to build schools, universities and other state institutions, and help fund local services in many counties. DNR is administered by Peter Goldmark, who is the 13th Commissioner of Public Lands since statehood in 1889.
Media Contact: Bob Redling, Senior Communications Manager, 360-902-1149, bob.redling@dnr.wa.gov