Board of Natural Resources Approves Transfer of 109 Acres of Conserved Forests to Jefferson County
News Date:
May 2, 2023
Since 2009, the county has leased the three parcels west of Port Townsend, which will continue to be managed for conservation purposes
The Washington State Board of Natural Resources approved the transfer of 109 acres of conserved forests just west of Port Townsend to Jefferson County during its meeting Tuesday.
The three parcels currently managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will be protected with perpetual deed restrictions restricting uses to conservation and recreation after the county agreed to pay $383,000.
“By ensuring these forests remain responsibly conserved under public management and allowing DNR to acquire new lands to support our public schools, we have created a win-win for Jefferson County and for the people of Washington state,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, the elected official who oversees DNR.
Jefferson County began leasing the parcels from DNR in 2009 through a now-defunct Trust Land Transfer Lease program that funded 50-year conservation leases on DNR-managed lands for local governments.
“We are so pleased to have come to an agreement with DNR to conserve this forestland that is so beloved by our residents,” said Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean. “With the help of our local partner, Jefferson Land Trust, this forest will continue to be used for recreation and to provide ecosystem services such as sequestering carbon – all while ensuring that other timberlands continue to provide important revenue for schools, libraries, fire districts, and more.”
When the Legislature funded the leases, $1.36 million was generated for the Common School Trust, which funds K-12 school construction statewide. Jefferson County’s purchase of the remainder fee ownership of the property will generate $383,000 that DNR can use to purchase replacement Common School Trust properties that are better suited to be managed to produce revenue for K-12 school construction.
Were it not for the past and current public investments for these natural landscapes, these properties would be under increasing pressure to be converted into rural residential developments.
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