The Trust Land Transfer (TLT) work group was established as part of the 2021-2023 Capital Budget (SHB 1080 Sec. 3333). The Washington State Legislature directed DNR to convene a work group of state trust land beneficiaries and stakeholders to develop recommendations that govern the way Trust Land Transfer proposals are developed and implemented. The Phase 1 work group convened in July 2021. Over nine meetings, this work group collaborated on building a framework for revitalizing the Trust Land Transfer program. The framework and topics needing further discussion were summarized in a December 2021 report to the Legislature. The Phase 2 work group convened in January 2022. The goal of this phase was to complete all revitalization work on the Trust Land Transfer program. The Phase 2 work group addressed the topics listed in the 2021 legislative report. Phase 2 work group members also participated in a pilot project, in which they prioritized a limited number of parcels for transfer using new prioritization criteria. The Phase 2 work group concluded its work in November 2022. The Taxing District focus Group was also formed and met regularly from September 2022 through April 2023 to provide county and junior taxing district perspectives on mitigating impacts to taxing districts from transferring State Forestlands through the Trust Land Transfer program. The Trust Land Transfer work and focus groups are now updated on a quarterly basis. 

 

DNR will form a Trust Land Transfer advisory committee in early 2024. The advisory committee will place parcels nominated for Trust Land Transfer into a prioritize order using the prioritization criteria. 

Click here to view the members of the work and focus groups. 

SHB 1080 Sec. 3333 granted the work group its authority.

SHB 1460  Sec. 3 (4) grants the advisory committee its authority.

Contact Sarah Ogden, Trust Land Specialist, at Sarah.Ogden@dnr.wa.gov with questions and comments.