The Department of Natural Resources manages more than 3 million acres of state trust forest, agricultural, range, and commercial properties. These trust lands earn income to build schools, universities and other state institutions, and help fund local services in many counties. They also provide important habitat for fish and wildlife, recreation, and educational opportunities for the public.

Established by the Washington State Legislature in 1989, the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) program allows the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to reposition state trust lands to better serve the trust beneficiaries and the people of Washington. 
 
Some of the lands that DNR manages are financially underperforming, and also have high ecological values and public benefits. Through TLT, DNR transfers these areas out of trust status to DNR’s Natural Areas Program, another public agency, or a Tribe. DNR then purchases replacement land that can earn long-term, sustainable revenue for the affected trust(s). TLT is funded by the Washington State Legislature through provisos in biennial Capital Budgets.

The TLT program is currently being revitalized. In 2021 and 2022, DNR and two external work groups identified changes to TLT that will make it stronger, more effective, and more transparent.  Click here to learn more about the revitalization process.

 

Proposed changes are subject to legislative support and funding. After the 2023 legislative session, DNR will post a series of web pages that explain the revitalized TLT program. DNR also will announce the dates for the next application period, which will be for transfers in the 2025-27 biennium.

 

DNR strongly recommends that anyone interested in nominating a parcel for the TLT program for the 2025-27 biennium contact a potential receiving agency as soon as possible. Receiving agencies can take weeks, months, or even years to determine whether to accept a parcel. If you have questions about receiving agencies or which parcels can be nominated, contact Robin Hammill or Bob Winslow. 

Exchanging land with other public and private parties helps improve trust land values and income potential. Repositioning state trust lands can improve natural resources management and habitat protection. It also can increase the long-term non-tax revenue that helps build public schools and universities, and provide local services.

Fee transfers to other public agencies, public auctions, and purchases of replacement properties keep trust lands productive for long-term revenue production. Replacement lands are purchased when trust lands with special environmental values are transferred to conservation or other ownership.