A study by the University of Washington in 2021 shows that about 5,000 acres of land designated for forestry use will transition to non-forestry purposes by 2030.
Assistant Deputy Supervisor for State Uplands Duane Emmons said at a meeting on Monday, September 25, that the lands previously used for forestry will now be converted into agricultural, residential, commercial, or any other use involving the transformation of forest land into a different designation.
The land holdings within Thurston County reveal that the State Trust manages approximately 65,000 acres of land, with about 35% of this acreage designated for long-term conservation purposes.
According to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), "Trust lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources are different than other publicly managed lands: They come with a legal responsibility to generate revenue for their designated beneficiaries, such as schools, counties, and critical local services.'"
"In addition to earning income, activities on trust lands are managed to protect habitat for native plant and animal species, provide clean and abundant water, and offer diverse public recreation opportunities. As a trust land manager, DNR is obligated to follow the common law duties of a trustee, which include generating revenue, managing trust assets prudently and acting with undivided loyalty to trust beneficiaries (Washington Supreme Court: Skamania vs. State of Washington, 1984)," states DNR on it's website.
“Capitol Forest was acquired by the department because it was heavily logged. It was not very much old growth, old permanent forest left in capital for us; it was logged; it was continually logged; [there were] lots of fires,” stated Emmons.
It was highlighted that the Capitol Forest has comparatively less designated conservation land than neighboring counties, such as Wahkiakum, Skamania, Clallam, and Jefferson Counties, which have allocated a substantial portion of their lands for conservation.
Thurston County is described as a "working forest" with fertile soil for timber growth and fewer habitat constraints, relying on its neighbors' conservation efforts, benefiting both the environment and its beneficiaries.
The county treasurer distributes all of the revenues generated from the timber harvest on state forestlands into the taxing districts within the county per RCW 79.64.110.
Emmons explained that the lands held in trust for the county must primarily be used for timber production, and they need more flexibility to diversify their investments or activities as they can with federally granted lands.
These lands are subject to constraints, including restrictions on their sale, and it was only during the recent legislative session that changes were enacted in the statute, enabling the county to transfer them directly to other government entities.
Emmons also raised concerns about the participation of commissioners in forestland discussions, calling for collaboration with departments, particularly the Department of Natural Resources, through more meetings to ensure awareness of county-wide forestland matters and aiming to improve communication practices relative to other counties.
“I think we as a board really stand by our position, which is still right in terms of it hasn't changed that we want to preserve legacy forests, and, we really, in my belief, feel like we need to find a resolution before any more sell or cuts to legacy forests continue,” according to County Commissioner Carolina Mejia.
The legislature has also earmarked $70 million in funding to conserve up to 2,000 acres of carbon-rich, structurally complex forests, to preserve and protect these ecologically valuable wooded areas.
The county has conveyed its interest and intends to work towards finalizing this in October.
Thurston County has 5.6 million acres of forest, range, agricultural, aquatic, and commercial lands. In 2030, it is predicted that approximately 5,000 acres will be converted from forestry land to non-forestry uses.
Editors note: This article was edited for clarity at 9:40 pm 10/5/2023.
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hptrillium
Trust lands should be used to benefit the people of Washington. Right now their highest benefit would be to leave those forests in place to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and sequester it. This and many other benefits of forests are an important way we can fight climate change and improve the health of the planet. I would not like to see the Capitol Forest cut down for residential or commercial uses which may benefit us now but in the long run will hurt us.
Heather Pens
Friday, October 6, 2023 Report this
2theroots
This was such a sham meeting. DNR had requested it as a "dialogue" with our commissioners to discuss how they would like the state forest lands managed by DNR to be managed. Instead DNR/Duane talked at them for 55 minutes often on topics irrelevant to how to manage the lands and then slipped in at some point that they will send later a letter with their analysis of what could be saved. Some dialogue.
They have been logging the state's legacy forest aggressively for the last year and half and our commissioners have consistently asked them to stop and make a plan which they have not done. Days later they sold off another Capitol Forest parcel with Legacy forest in it to be logged.
Friday, October 6, 2023 Report this
johngreen
Although carbon sequestration is a big plus for keeping our forests, there are other important reasons for stopping the destruction of our forests. Trees produce rain fall and cool the earth which are becoming a huge issue with droughts and hot weather becoming more common. Habitat destruction is causing a huge decline in songbird populations as well as pollinators and other wildlife. Since 1970 North America has lost 3 billion birds mostly due to habitat loss.
Our state government professes to be progressive but let's walk the walk and not just talk the talk and put a halt to our destructive practices like clearcutting.
We need to remember this when Hilary Franz runs for governor.
Saturday, October 7, 2023 Report this