Headlines
Washington Supreme Court sides with state’s Department of Natural Resources
Today, in its Pope Resources decision, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and held that the polluting company alone, not the state, is liable for millions of dollars of environmental cleanup costs under the state’s... More...
Date: May 24, 2018
Commissioner Franz Dispatches Work Crews to Help Okanogan County Deal with Flooding
This morning, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) assumed command of flood response in Okanogan County and more than 100 DNR firefighters arrived to assist with flood control.
“When any Washingtonian is threatened, we must all heed the call,” said Hilary Franz,... More...
Date: May 13, 2018
State officials invite public to join them for community conversation on forest health, wildfire
Join Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, Senator Brad Hawkins, and WA Dept. of Natural Resources staff in Winthrop for May 21 community meeting
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to join them at an upcoming... More...
Date: May 8, 2018
State Land Transfer Adds 400 Acres to County Park Land on Lopez Island
About 400 acres of forested state trust land on Lopez Island will be transferred to San Juan County to manage for wildlife habitat and non-motorized recreation following yesterday’s action by the Board of Natural Resources. The forested parcel known as Lopez Hill contains an... More...
Date: May 2, 2018
Seventeen miles of mountain bike trail opening near North Bend
Join WA Dept. of Natural Resources, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and state leaders for trail system opening celebration on May 19
Thanks to a team of state trail builders and partners at Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, the Washington State Department... More...
Date: May 2, 2018
Transfer of Stemilt Basin property from DNR to Fish and Wildlife protects habitat and recreation in Chelan County
The sale of 1,275 acres in Chelan County’s Stemilt Basin by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) completes a project that began in 2007 and has involved multiple community partners to protect habitat and... More...
Date: April 16, 2018
Washington’s Summer Fire Rules Officially Begin Sunday
Prevention measures to protect life and property are in effect April 15 through October 15 on 13 million acres of DNR-protected lands
Even with this wet, rainy spring, Washington’s summer fire rules officially begin Sunday, April 15, as specified by state law.... More...
Date: April 13, 2018
Commissioner Franz statement in response to Cooke Aquaculture court ruling
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz issued the following statement after a Superior Court judge denied Cooke Aquaculture’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction:
“Today’s decision is a win for the people and waters of Washington. When I terminated Cooke’s lease... More...
Date: April 13, 2018
Washington voices heard in National Park fee decision, says Franz
OLYMPIA – Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz issued the following statement today in response to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s decision to abandon a proposal that would have tripled fees to access national parks like Washington’s Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks... More...
Date: April 12, 2018
State seeks input on recreation options in the Teanaway Community Forest
Community meeting scheduled in Cle Elum on April 12
A community meeting is scheduled Thursday, April 12 in Cle Elum for the public to review and comment on recreation options being considered for the Teanaway Community Forest.
The Washington... More...
Date: March 29, 2018
Commissioner Franz announces $3.5 million in rural economic investments
Part of the Rural Communities Partnership Initiative, projects include reopening a hardwood mill, help for oyster growers, and a new facility to recycle derelict vessels.
Today, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz made good on her promise to use the resources... More...
Date: March 13, 2018
DNR Releases Inspections of Rich Passage & Hope Island Net Pen Facilities
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Friday released its findings after inspecting Cooke Aquaculture’s net pen facilities at Rich Passage and Hope Island.
The inspections were conducted by engineering firm Mott MacDonald under contract... More...
Date: February 16, 2018
Commissioner Franz Calls On Trump Administration To Withdraw Its Offshore Drilling Proposal
Letter to Secretary Zinke highlights that oil and gas infrastructure will need DNR approval to cross state lands Olympia
Today, Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands, sent a letter to the Secretary of the Interior stating her opposition to oil and gas... More...
Date: February 15, 2018
Public invited to share input on Baker to Bellingham recreation planning
Community meetings scheduled in Maple Falls on Feb. 20 and Bellingham on Feb. 21
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites Whatcom County residents to weigh in with their vision for recreation in select areas across 86,000-acres of state-... More...
Date: February 15, 2018
Cypress Island net pen lease terminated
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz terminated Cooke Aquaculture’s lease for its collapsed Cypress Island Atlantic salmon net pens Saturday. Cooke Aquaculture raises Atlantic salmon at the site and leases the aquatic lands from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR... More...
Date: February 4, 2018
Negligence caused August net pen collapse
State investigators have determined that an excessive buildup of mussels and other marine organisms on nets was primary cause of August net pen collapse.
An investigative report – authored by the departments of Natural Resources (DNR), Ecology, and Fish and... More...
Date: January 30, 2018
Franz Urges Action on Landslide Safety
Public safety package provides tools to better understand, minimize landslide hazards
Landslides and logging applications are increasing on Washington’s steep slopes. Today, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz called on the legislature to take three actions... More...
Date: January 18, 2018
Commissioner Franz Statement on Governor’s Carbon Proposal
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz issued the following statement Tuesday in regards to the release of the Governor’s carbon policy:
“As I made clear last week, Washington State needs to adopt a smart and effective carbon reduction strategy. ... More...
Date: January 9, 2018
Commissioner Franz Statement in Response to Cooke Aquaculture Suit
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz issued the following statement Friday in regards to the lawsuit filed by Cooke Aquaculture:
“The basis for terminating Cooke Aquaculture’s lease at its Port Angeles facility was made clear to the company and the public... More...
Date: January 5, 2018
A Carbon Policy that Works for Washington
Commissioner Franz outlines "Smart Carbon Policy" that invests in landscapes, communities
Today, in a letter sent to state leaders, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz highlighted the threat climate change poses to our state lands and waters and called for our state... More...
Date: January 4, 2018
