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Commissioners Office
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Julie Shannon, Executive Secretary II
DATE: May 21, 2018
SUBJECT: Discussion and Potential Action re: Letter of Support for Dabob Bay Trust
Land Transfer with Department of Natural; Resources (DNR)
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Peter Bahls would like to address the Board re: Discussion and Potential Action re: Letter of Support for
Dabob Bay Trust Land Transfer with Department of Natural; Resources (DNR)
ANALYSIS:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Listen to discussion and take potential action to approve Letter of Support.
REVIEWED BY:
Philip Mo ley, ounty Admi ' rator Date
jeffbocc
From: Peter Bahls <peter@ nwwatershed.org >
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 1:45 AM
To: jeffbocc
Cc: Philip Morley; Julie Shannon
Subject: TLT nominations for Dabob Bay and Devils Lake NRCAs 2019-21
Attachments: Devils Lake NRCA TLT Nomination Form 2019-2021.docx; Dabob Bay NRCA Addition
TLT Nomination Form 2019-2021.docx; 2017-TLT projects.pdf; Sample Dabob support
letter to DNR.docx
Honorable County Commissioners,
I am including some materials in preparation for our meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon
May 21 at 1:30 pm. Northwest Watershed Institute recently re -nominated DNR lands for the
Trust Land Transfer program. These lands are within the 2016 expanded and approved
boundaries of the Devils Lake and Dabob Bay Natural Areas. Attached are the nomination
forms sent to DNR and the TLT list from last biennium listing both projects, acreage and
estimate of timber and land values.
NWI is requesting a letter of support from you for these TLT projects. It is important that these
projects be funded by the legislature this biennium to permanently protect the state lands
within the Natural Area boundaries, allow DNR to find replacement lands, and release about
$8.5 million in potential timber revenue, of which about $4.5 million represents Forest Board
lands revenue for the junior taxing districts.
In addition, the letter asks for Hillary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands, to adjust the Dabob
Bay Natural Area boundary to include a rare type of forest that is adjacent to the boundary
and discovered by DNR in early 2017. This globally imperiled forest type cannot be logged by
DNR under DNR's SFI certification standards that require protection of these rare forest types
that remain in fair to good condition. The boundary adjustment will allow DNR to include this
area for Trust Land Transfer so that the county gains replacement Forest Board timber lands
that can be harvested and provide revenue to junior taxing districts. About half of the forest
area now proposed for addition to the Natural Area was originally included in the proposed
boundaries that were presented at several public meetings in the fall of 2016 and received
broad support. However, Commissioner Goldmark removed the area at the last minute at the
request of the DNR Olympic Region without anyone fully realizing until later that it was the
same rare forest they are trying to protect elsewhere.
I look forward to meeting with you Monday!
Peter Bahls, Executive Director
Northwest Watershed Institute
3407 Eddy Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-385-6786
www.nwwatershed.org
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
2019-2021 TRUST LAND TRANSFER PROGRAM
PROPERTY NOMINATION FORM
Property DNR
Name: Devils Lake NRCA Addition Region: Olympic
1. Recipient Information
Receiving Agency
(public): DNR
Proposed public
use: NRCA
Contact (Name, Title,
Phone): Peter Bahls, Director, Northwest Watershed Institute
® YES -
Has recipient confirmed acceptance of property (include written confirmation) PENDING ❑ NO
2. Property Information
Legal Description (approx., attach
Map): T27N 2W S36, see map attached
Approximate Acres: 370 Trust(s): Common School
Local Land Use
County/City jurisdiction: Jefferson County Zoning: Forest
DNR use of property (current & Forestry, except most of property is steep slopes and rare plant
future): community
DNR leases (type &
revenue): n/a
Will tenant consent be needed for transfer? ❑ YES ❑ NO
Any real property trespasses on the
property? If yes, describe:
Product sales: timber, gravel, etc. (current?)
(Future, year?):
Legal access for intended purpose ?
Location?
HCP Planning Area and HCP designated
role of property:
3. Ecological and Cultural Values and Other Special Characteristics
Please check all the values and characteristics that make the property desirable for transfer. Refer to TLT goals and
selection criteria.
❑ Park, recreation, or open space ❑ Archaeological, cultural, historic feature
❑ Protects threatened/endangered or unique plant/animal species ❑ Geological, geographic, or scenic
feature
❑ Expands/buffers existing NAP/NRCA or Wildlife property ❑ Waterfront or water access
❑ Fish or wildlife habitat
Briefly describe benefits to the DNR trust and the public if property is transferred.
The proposed TLT lands are within the 2016 expanded boundaries of the Devils Lake NRCA. The TLT will
permanently protect one mile length of scenic forested shoreline and steep slopes along Hood Canal, wildlife
habitat of older forests, and a globally imperiled rare forest plant community remaining in good condition.
Most of the property has limited timber harvest potential due to steep, potentially unstable slopes and the
occurrence of the rare forest plant association, which DNR is required to protect under SFI standards.
Additional information:
Updated 07282016 Return Completed Form upon Region Signature to CRT Division, Attn. Bob
Winslow
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
2019-2021 TRUST LAND TRANSFER PROGRAM
4. Interested Stakeholders
Identify stakeholders or interest groups who support or have concerns. Identify issues:
The Devils Lake Area has long been recognized as an important conservation priority and the proposed
Natural Area expansion proposed in 2016 received broad support at two DNR public hearings, including
support from the Jefferson County Commissioners, conservation groups, shellfish businesses, citizens, and
landowners in the area. This proposed transfer, not including the 120 acres with the recently discovered rare
forest plant community, was identified in a detailed analysis of DNR forestlands of East Jefferson County
conducted by the Public Lands Group, entitled Forests For the Future, An Asset Management Strategy for
State Forestlands in East Jefferson County, March 25, 2011. The report was discussed at a public meeting
held by Jefferson County and endorsed by a broad coalition including Jefferson County Commissioners,
Hood Canal Coordinating Council, local foresters and businesses, and local, regional, and statewide
conservation organizations.
5. Valuation Estimate
Estimated Merchantable
Timber Volume and
Value (list source of
data): $4,030,000 (estimates by DNR 2017-19 TILT proposal)
Estimated Land
Value (list source of
data): $1,300,000
Estimate of Total Property
Value: $5,330,000
List any unique features or potential value considerations when
estimating the value of this property. Assessment of timber value under private
land regulations will yield significantly higher value than DNR would actually be
able to cut due to more restrictive regulations that apply to state lands only for
protection of steep slopes and rare plant association at this site.
b. Keaion Kecommenaatlon ana Filo
:FTil7
LJ Priority Rank (#1, 2, 3,
Recommend ❑ Do not Recommend etc...)
Region Manager
Signature or Nominee Date
Signature :
Comments and/or explanation of denial
7. Checklist of Nomination Materials
Please check all the information that has been provided with this nomination form.
❑ Region Manager signature or Nominee signature ❑ Map(s) of parcel
❑ TRAX or Special Concerns Report for parcel ❑ Recipient written confirmation of
interest
❑ Sent Shapefile of property boundary to CRT, only if created ❑ Application Info sent to CRT Division
Updated 07282016 Return Completed Form upon Region Signature to CRT Division, Attn. Bob
Winslow
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
2019-2021 TRUST LAND TRANSFER PROGRAM
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Proposed Boundary
Dabob Bay Natural Area
Puget Trough Ecoregion
0 Possible Dabob Expansion
NAP Boundary
NRCA Boundary
DNR: State Forest Transfer
DNR: Common School
_ Natural Area Preserve
Natural Resources
Conservation Area
JWOther Federal Lands
Lands Eligible for Inclusion
0 0.5 1 Miles N�,\
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Disclaimer: Extreme care was used during the compilation of
this map to ensure accuracy. However, due to changes in the
ownership and the need to rely on outside information, the
Department of Natural Resources cannot accept responsibility
I. erors or omissions, and therefore, there are no warranties
which accompanythis material.
DRAFT
SUBJECT TO CHANGE 0(ji
12/16/16
nnruRRf-
RESOURCES
Map showing proposed TLT lands within 2016 approved boundaries of Dabob Bay Natural Area (blue
dashed). Note that the "original proposed boundary" (red) included an area of about 300 acres north of the
redline in section 26 that contains a rare forest plant community that is a conservation priority in DNR's Natural
Heritage Plan and cannot be cut under DNR's SFI certification standars. That area is recommended for TLT
inclusion here. In 2017, DNR found this plant community extends south into much of Section 26 and
conservation recommendations are pending a larger assessment underway by DNR Natural Heritage staff
Updated 07282016 Return Completed Form upon Region Signature to CRT Division, Attn. Bob Winslow
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
2019-2021 TRUST LAND TRANSFER PROGRAM
PROPERTY NOMINATION FORM
Property DNR
Name: Dabob Bay NRCA Addition Region: Olympic
1. Recipient Information
Receiving Agency
(public): DNR
Proposed public
use: NRCA
Contact (Name, Title,
Phone): Peter Bahls, Director, Northwest Watershed Institute
® YES -
Has recipient confirmed acceptance of property (include written confirmation) PENDING ❑ NO
2. Property Information
Legal Description (approx., attach Map): see map attached
Approximate Acres: 900 Trust(s): Common School - 40 acres, Forest Board — 860 acres
Local Land Use
County/City jurisdiction: Jefferson County Zoning: Forest & rural residential
DNR use of property (current &
future): Forestry, except some areas are steep slopes and rare plant community
DNR leases (type & revenue): n/a
Will tenant consent be needed for transfer? ❑ YES ❑ NO
Any real property trespasses on the property? If yes, describe:
Product sales: timber, gravel, etc. (current?)
(Future, year?):
Legal access for intended purpose ?
Location?
HCP Planning Area and HCP designated role
of property:
3. Ecological and Cultural Values and Other Special Characteristics
Please check all the values and characteristics that make the property desirable for transfer. Refer to TLT goals and selection
criteria.
❑ Park, recreation, or open space ❑ Archaeological, cultural, historic feature
❑ Protects threatened/endangered or unique plant/animal species ❑ Geological, geographic, or scenic feature
❑ Expands/buffers existing NAP/NRCA or Wildlife property ❑ Waterfront or water access
❑ Fish or wildlife habitat
Briefly describe benefits to the DNR trust and the public if property is transferred.
The proposed TILT is within the 2016 approved boundaries of the Dabob Bay Natural Area and also includes about 300
acres of land containing a rare forest plant association that was removed from the boundaries at the last minute. The
TILT will protect — 1) steep forested slopes along Dabob Bay, 2) a globally imperiled rare forest plant community
remaining in good condition (Coyle ridge area), 3) a high quality riparian forest and wetlands along Thorndyke Creek, 4)
a connecting wildlife corridor between Dabob Bay and Thorndike Bay. Much of the property has limited timber harvest
potential due to steep, potentially unstable slopes and the occurrence of the rare forest plant association, which DNR is
required to protect under SFI standards.
Additional information:
Updated 07282016 Return Completed Form upon Region Signature to CRT Division, Attn. Bob Winslow
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
2019-2021 TRUST LAND TRANSFER PROGRAM
4. Interested Stakeholders
Identify stakeholders or interest groups who support or have concerns. Identify issues:
Dabob Bay, and the areas within the proposed Dabob Bay addition have long been recognized as an important
conservation priority and the proposed Natural Area expansion proposed in 2016 received broad support at two DNR
public hearings, including support from the Jefferson County Commissioners, conservation groups, shellfish businesses,
citizens, and landowners in the area. Several years ago, Jefferson County Commissioners supported DNR's decision to
cancel a timber sale proposed for the 80 -acre Lemonds parcel due to concern about landslide and flooding risks to
downstream landowners, as well as the discovery of globally imperiled forest plant association that DNR is required to
protect under SFI certification standards. The 157 acre Thorndyke parcel was identified for TILT due to its high aquatic
habitat value and constraints on timber harvest in a detailed analysis of DNR forestlands of East Jefferson County
conducted by the Public Lands Group, entitled Forests For the Future, An Asset Management Strategy for State
Forestlands in East Jefferson County, March 25, 2011. The report was discussed at a public meeting held by Jefferson
County and endorsed by a broad coalition including Jefferson County Commissioners, Hood Canal Coordinating Council,
local foresters and businesses, and local, regional, and statewide conservation organizations.
5. Valuation Estimate
Estimated Merchantable
Timber Volume and Value
(list source of data): $4,467,000 (Estimates from DNR TILT 2017-19 nomination)
Estimated Land
Value (list source of
data): $1,800,000
Estimate of Total Property
Value: $6,267,000
List any unique features or potential value considerations when
estimating the value of this property. Assessment of timber value under private land
regulations will yield significantly higher value than DNR would actually be able to cut
due to more restrictive regulations that apply to state lands only for protection of steep
slopes and rare plant association at this site.
6. Region Recommendation and Priority Rank
❑Recommend ❑ Do not Recommend Priority Rank (#1, 2, 3, etc...)
Region Manager Signature
or Nominee Signature : Date:
Comments and/or explanation of denial:
7. Checklist of Nomination Materials
Please check all the information that has been provided with this nomination form.
❑ Region Manager signature or Nominee signature ❑ Map(s) of parcel
❑ TRAX or Special Concerns Report for parcel ❑ Recipient written confirmation of interest
❑ Sent Shapefile of property boundary to CRT, only if created ❑ Application Info sent to CRT Division
Updated 07282016 Return Completed Form upon Region Signature to CRT Division, Attn. Bob Winslow
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
2019-2021 TRUST LAND TRANSFER PROGRAM
DEVILS LAKE
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
2017 - 2019 TRUST LAND TRANSFER
Common School (3)
Agricultural School (4)
=Scientific School (10)
Normal School (8)
University - Transferred (5)
= University - Original (11)
CEP and RI (6)
t� Capitol Grant (7)
State Forest Transfer (1)
State Forest Purchase (2)
Community Forest Trust (48)
NAP / NRCA (74 / 75)
Other DNR -Managed Lands
WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife
Non -DNR State Managed Land
Federally Managed Land
County or Municipally Managed Land
TRANSFER PARCEL
Property honndaries may
Mary at time of transfer
JEFFERSON
COUNTY
T27N, R2W
PORTION OF
SECTION 36
Care was used during the compilation of this map to insure accuracy. However, due to changes in ownership
and the need to rely on outside information, the Department of Natural Resources cannot accept responsibility
for errors or omissions. Therefore, there are no warranties which accompany this material. 12
State of Washington
f'
0
11ATURAL RESOURCES
DNR -CNEII - 121220 16 - 1:36,001)-2015ORI114
Updated 07282016 Return Completed Form upon Region Signature to CRT Division, Attn. Bob
Winslow
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May 21, 2018
Hillary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands
Washington Department of Natural Resources
MS 47000
Olympia, WA 98504
Dear Commissioner Franz,
We support Northwest Watershed Institute's nomination of state forest lands within the Dabob
Bay and Devils Lake Natural Areas for the Trust Land Transfer program and 2019-21 capital
budget funding request to the state legislature. Inter -Trust Exchange and Trust Land Transfer
will ensure that the lands are forever protected as part of the Natural Areas and that there is no
net loss of Forest Board lands in Jefferson County. Trust Land Transfer is perhaps one of DNR's
most powerful tools for conserving sensitive habitats while strengthening the position of trust
lands for timber production. We urge you to make funding the Trust Land Transfer program a
high priority for DNR.
Secondly, we request that you consider expanding the Dabob Bay Natural Area to include a
parcel of state forest land that includes a rare type of forest that DNR is required to protect
under its Sustainable Forestry initiative (SFI) certification standards. This globally imperiled
forest plant association, ranked as a high conservation priority in DNR's Natural Heritage Plan,
was documented and mapped by DNR scientists six months after the boundary was approved in
December of 2016 (Wa Natural Heritage Site Survey, Chimabob Timber Sale by Ramm-Granberg
and Rocchio June 19, 2017). Ironically, about half of the rare forest that was discovered was
included in the Dabob Bay Natural Area boundary that was originally proposed and presented
by DNR at two public meetings and received broad support at that time. However, at the last
minute Commissioner Goldmark removed about 300 acres from the Natural Area at the request
of the Olympic Region --without anyone fully realizing it contained the rare plant association.
This Forest Board land is still in limbo nearly a year later; neither permanently conserved nor
available for timber harvest. We request that DNR meet both its conservation and trust
responsibilities by adding the area to the Natural Area and including it in the Trust Land
Transfer request.
Sincerely,
Jefferson County Commissioners