Tools to Address Underperforming Land Assets
Morningstar Natural Resources Conservation Area
Under this focus area, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will work toward positioning state trust lands to increase revenue while safeguarding the natural resources that make Washington a great place to live. Positioning can be achieved through transfer, exchange, purchase, or sale of state trust lands.
As part of this effort, DNR may revitalize and improve existing land portfolio management tools to make them more effective, and develop new tools as necessary. In addition, DNR may examine current regulations on transacting state trust lands, such as statutes, the state constitution, or the Enabling Act, to identify adjustments needed need to make land transactions more efficient. DNR also may examine new ways to cover expenses for services that do not benefit the trusts directly.
Project: Revitalizing Trust Land Transfer
Initiated in 1989 and revised in 2021, Trust Land Transfer is an innovative portfolio management tool for the Washington State Legislature, through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to address several trust land management needs:
- Transfer out of economically under-performing state trust lands and acquire funds to purchase replacement lands with higher long-term income producing potential; and
- Conserve lands that have high ecological or social values.
As part of the 2021-23 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 for the way Trust Land Transfer proposals are developed and implemented. This work is being completed in two phases by two different work groups.
- DNR convened the Phase 1 work group in July 2021. Over nine meetings, this work group collaborated on building a framework for revitalizing the Trust Land Transfer tool. The framework and topics needing further discussion were summarized in a December 2021 report to the Legislature.
- DNR convened the Phase 2 work group in January 2022. The goal of this phase was to complete all revitalization work on the Trust Land Transfer tool. The work group addressed the topics listed in the 2021 legislative report. They also participated in a pilot project, in which they prioritized a limited number of parcels for transfer using the prioritization criteria they established as part of this phase.
Explore the following links to learn more:
- Phase 2 Work Group Meetings
- Taxing Districts Focus Group Meetings
- Phase 1 Work Group Meetings
- Public Meetings
Project Documents
Trust Land Transfer Phase 2 Work Group Meetings
Work group meetings are open to the public and currently are being held remotely through Zoom.
Meeting 1: January 28, 2022, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
- Agenda, Presentation, Notes
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 2: February 11, 2022, 8 - 10 a.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Topic: Advisory Committee), Notes
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 2.1: February 24, 8 - 10 a.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Topic: Advisory Committee), Draft prioritization criteria
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 3.0: March 9, 2 - 4 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Topic: Potential Impacts to Taxing Districts, Background Information), Presentation (Topic: Potential Impacts to Taxing Districts, Possible Solutions)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 3.1: March 23, 1 - 3 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Topic: Potential Impacts to Taxing Districts, Possible Solutions)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 4.0: April 13, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Topic: Best Interests of the Trust Analysis), Presentation (Topic: Tracking and Reporting)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation) , Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 4.1: April 29, 1 - 3 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Topic: Best Interests of the Trusts Analysis), Presentation (Topic: Tracking and Reporting)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 5.0: May 11, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Topic: Statutory Changes), Presentation (Topic: Administrative Funding)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 5.1: May 27, 1 - 3 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Topic: Statutory Changes), Presentation (Topic: Administrative Funding)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 6.0: June 8, 3 - 5 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Webpages, Signs, Manual), Presentation (Pilot Project)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 6.1: June 22, 3 - 5 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Pilot Project)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 6.2: July 14, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Update on Revitalization)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 7.0, Pilot Launch: July 20, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Pilot Launch)
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
- TLT Pilot Project parcels: Blakely Island, Chapman Lake, Devils Lake, Eglon, Lake Spokane, Morning Star, Moses Lake Sand Dunes, Rustler's Gulch, Upper Dry Gulch, West Tiger
Meeting 7.1, Pilot Wrap-up: August 11, 8-11 a.m.
- Agenda, Presentation (Introduction), Presentation (Phase 2 Wrap-up), Prioritization results
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 8.0, Revitalization Update: November 15, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Taxing District Focus Group
This focus group will examine options to reduce, minimize, or mitigate the potential financial impacts to county tax districts of transferring State Forestlands through the Trust Land Transfer tool. Focus group meetings are open to the public and are being held remotely through Zoom.
Meeting 1 (Kickoff), September 1, 2022, 9-11 a.m.
- Agenda, Presentation
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 2, September 16, 2022, 9-11 a.m.
- Agenda, Presentation, Preston Ridge Inter-trust Exchange and Blanchard Solution Presentation
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 3, October 6, 2022, 3-5 p.m.
- Agenda, Presentation
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Meeting 4, October 13, 2022, 9-11 a.m.
- Agenda, Presentation
- Recording of presentation (shows speaker and presentation), Recording of presentation (shows participants only)
Refining Solutions Subcommittee Meeting 1, November 9, 2022, 9-10:30 a.m.
Refining Solutions Subcommittee Meeting 2, February 16, 2023, 9-10:30 a.m.
Meeting 5, April 5, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to noon
Trust Land Transfer Phase 1 Work Group Meetings
Phase 1 was completed in December 2021. All work group meetings were open to the public and held remotely through Zoom.
Meeting 1, July 9, 2021, 8-11 a.m.
Meeting 2, July 28, 2021, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Meeting 3, August 6, 2021,12-4 p.m.
Work Group Member Presentations:
- American Forest Resource Council
- DNR
- Jefferson County
- Kitsap County
- The Nature Conservancy
- North Cascades Conservation Council
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Washington State School Directors Association and Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Meeting 4, August 16, 2021, 9-1 p.m.
Agenda, Presentation, Recording of Presentation, Meeting Notes, Work Group Member Presentation: Clallam County
Meeting 5, September 2, 2021, 12-4 p.m.
Meeting 6, September 14, 2021, 12-4 p.m.
Meeting 6.5, September 24, 2021, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Meeting 6.75, September 30, 2021, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Meeting 7, October 29, 2021, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Public Meetings
July 7, 2022, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Submit comments by 5pm, July 14, 2022
August 11, 2021, 9:30-11 a.m.
November 10, 2021, 3-4 p.m.
The purpose of this meeting was to provide an update on the efforts of the TLT work group. A preliminary draft of the legislative report for this project can be found at this link. The final file is located under Project Documents at the top of this page.
