No. 07-114
September 21, 2007
Contact: Jane Chavey, DNR, 360-902-1721, jane.chavey@dnr.wa.gov
Joe Bates, Whatcom County, 360-676-6717, jbates@co.whatcom.wa.us
State DNR-County Solution for Lake Whatcom in the Works
OLYMPIA – Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland and Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen announced today their mutual intent to resolve long-standing issues regarding state trust lands in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
Commissioner Sutherland said, “For more than two decades, the greater community in the Lake Whatcom area has debated a vision for these forestlands. Our desire is to put together a solution that will benefit the local community as well as the trust beneficiaries.”
Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen said, “This is a significant step forward. I applaud Commissioner Sutherland for working with Whatcom County to make this commitment that is good for our residents, Lake Whatcom, and the state.”
Sutherland and Kremen have directed their respective staff to begin working on options and recommendations that would be included in a formal agreement by the end of the year.
State Trust Lands
Administered by Commissioner Sutherland, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages 3 million acres of trust lands, providing revenue for specific beneficiaries and many benefits for the public. Revenue from state trust lands helps fund construction of public schools statewide and supports state universities, prisons, and other institutions, along with services in many counties. Revenue-producing activities on state trust lands include:
- Harvest of timber and other forest products
- Leasing of agricultural lands including orchards, vineyards, row crops, dry land crops, and grazing lands
- Mineral leases
- Leasing of communication sites, and other commercial properties
Sutherland is the 12th Commissioner of Public Lands since statehood in 1889.
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