The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is planning a pair of public presentations next month for a proposed transaction that would designate more than 1,300 more acres of state land to support the Common School Trust, which funds K-12 school construction statewide.

 

The first hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 9 at the Skagit County Commissioners Office, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon. The second presentation is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 21 at the Richland City Hall Council Chambers, 625 Swift Blvd., Richland.

 

A Zoom webinar option is available for remote participation. Attendees must register in advance of the public hearings; links are available at dnr.wa.gov/managed-lands/land-transactions/richland-16-land-bank-exchange. Once registered, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing instructions on how to join the webinar, as well as optional information to join by phone.

 

The Richland 16 Land Bank Exchange would exchange up to 49.41 acres of state trust land located in Benton County for up to 1,351.68 acres of land bank property located in Benton, Kitsap, Skagit, and Snohomish counties.

 

Following the exchange, DNR will manage the newly designated trust lands to produce revenue for their designated beneficiaries. The lands moved into the land bank would be transferred or sold at auction to allow DNR to purchase other lands that are better suited to produce revenue for K-12 school construction, higher education, or critical local services.

 

DNR is accepting written comments about the proposed land exchange until 5 p.m. March 28, 2022. Email comments to exchanges@dnr.wa.gov. Mail written comments to the Department of Natural Resources, Product Sales and Leasing Division, Attn: Richland 16 Land Bank Exchange, P.O. Box 47014, Olympia, WA 98504-7014. For more information and to view maps, go to dnr.wa.gov/managed-lands/land-transactions/richland-16-land-bank-exchange.

 

DNR encourages written testimony from interested parties. Attendance at these meetings is not required to testify regarding this exchange, and written testimony is equivalent to in-person, verbal testimony.

 

Common School Trust:  Sec 16-9N-28E, W.M.; Benton County

Comprising 49.41 acres, more or less.

 

Sec 36-T9N-R24E, W.M.; Benton County

Sec 3-T24N-R1W, W.M.; Kitsap County

Secs 5 & 8-T33N-R5E, W.M.; Sec 13-T36N-R3E, W.M.; Secs 17 & 21-T36N-R5E, W.M.;

Secs 20 & 21-T33N-R6E, W.M.; Skagit County

Secs 19 & 20-T29N-R7E, W.M.; Sec 11-T31N-R5E, W.M.; Snohomish County

Comprising 1,351.68 acres, more or less.

 

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Communications Manager

360-902-1000