The Washington State Board of Natural Resources approved the Department of Natural Resources’ purchase of 119 acres of forestland in Wahkiakum County during its meeting Wednesday morning.

 

The parcel, 14 miles northeast of Cathlamet, will be managed as part of DNR’s Elochoman State Forest, which is adjacent to the property’s north, south and east. It will be managed to raise revenue to support Wahkiakum County services.

 

The $495,000 purchase price was paid with funds awarded to DNR by the Legislature to help replace lands encumbered by habitat requirements under the Endangered Species Act.

 

“Acquiring these high-quality working forests in Wahkiakum County will increase our future revenue potential, ensure this land remains forested, and make the management of state lands easier by providing permanent access,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, who oversees DNR.  

 

Wahkiakum County, which has approximately 4,400 residents, receives about $2 million each year from DNR timber sales. That funding directly helps fund services provided by the county government.

 

DNR has been active in purchasing forestlands in Southwest Washington recently. During its June meeting, the Board approved the purchase of 640 acres of forestland in neighboring Clark County. DNR also added 266 acres of land in Wahkiakum County in 2021.

 

For decades, DNR has continued acquiring forestlands across the state to support schools and counties. Since 1980, the department has added more than 100,000 acres of forestland to public ownership through its transactions program.

 

The Board of Natural Resources meeting, typically held on the first Tuesday of each month, was postponed to Wednesday due to the Fourth of July holiday.

 

###

 

Communications Manager

360-902-1000