Washington DNR's decision to proceed with Goodmint and Rainbow Rock timber sales reflects sound science and careful analysis, says official; 30- to 60-year-old second growth timber on 234 acres has been purchased by Interfor
Wendy Lisney
OLYMPIA, Washington
,
June 2, 2014
(press release)
–
Following the unanimous decision by the state’s Board of Natural Resources in March, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will proceed with two public timber sales in Jefferson and Clallam counties, the department announced today.
Totaling 234 acres, the Goodmint and Rainbow Rock sales comprise 30- to 60-year-old second growth timber. The timber is being purchased by Interfor, a lumber company with mills in Forks and Port Angeles.
“The decision to move forward with these sales reflects sound science and careful analysis,” said Kyle Blum, DNR’s Deputy Supervisor for State Uplands.
DNR currently maintains about 500,000 acres of forested land in conservation status. These lands provide habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife, including the marbled murrelet. DNR’s approach to murrelet habitat conservation is guided by a plan agreed upon with the federal government.
“The timber in the Goodmint and Rainbow Rock sales is relatively immature. There is no marbled murrelet habitat in these sales, and we are protecting the nearby habitat with a buffer nearly double the width of what’s required of private landowners in Washington,” said Blum.
DNR is directed by the state’s constitution to manage roughly three million acres of public uplands on behalf of the people of Washington. That mandate includes producing revenue from timber harvests, agricultural permits and land leases. Revenue goes to schools, universities, county governments and other public institutions. The Board of Natural Resources, comprised of statewide and local elected officials and natural resource experts, sets policies to guide how DNR manages state lands and resources, and approves timber sales.
For more about DNR, the Board of Natural Resources and conservation plans, visit http://www.dnr.wa.gov/aboutdnr/boardscouncils/wbnr/Pages/Home.aspx
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