DNR: Decision on land transfers could be soon

Agency considering Dabob Bay request

PORT TOWNSEND — The state Department of Natural Resources could have an answer in the coming months to Jefferson County’s request to expand the Dabob Bay Natural Area and transfer other lands into conservation status.

Duane Emmons, DNR’s assistant deputy supervisor for Uplands, said the department is in the middle to end stages of identifying up to 2,000 acres of structurally complex, carbon-dense state trust forest land west of the Cascade Mountains that could be moved to conservation status.

“That would be within the next month,” Emmons told the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners on Monday. “The end of October, beginning of November.”

Commissioners sent a letter to state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz in June which identified nearly 500 acres in Jefferson County that could benefit from the program, many of them around Dabob Bay, which could be used to expand the Dabob Bay Natural Area.

The state Legislature approved $70 million for DNR to purchase new forest lands to offset the 2,000 acres potentially being moved into conservation, and Emmons said the department has heard from at least six counties looking to participate in the program.

During the public comment portion of Monday’s meeting, several residents from the Quilcene area gave testimony thanking commissioners for working to preserve the area around Dabob Bay and said they supported conservation efforts on the Quimper Peninsula.

“What we have around Dabob Bay is unique and needs to be preserved for a number of reasons,” said Quilcene resident Kate Bouchillon. “I hope we can keep Dabob Bay where it needs to be in more of a conservation mode.”

However, representatives from the timber industry and the junior taxing districts who benefit from DNR timber sales also testified that they had some concerns about the process, and they urged commissioners to carefully consider the economic impacts of expanding conservation areas.

Heath Heikkila, government affairs for the American Forest Resource Council — a timber industry trade group — said DNR has excellent forestry practices and that the Pacific Northwest is one of the best places in the world for growing trees.

“Just do remember that every time you set aside forest land, you are shifting that logging to somewhere else,” Heikkila said.

The new lands that DNR would acquire in Jefferson County to replace those moved into conservation would be available for timber harvest, but Heikkila said the industry had some concerns about the process, saying, “Jefferson County may not be the best place to buy timberland, just to be frank.”

Also voicing concern was Quilcene Fire Rescue Position 3 Commissioner Marcia Kelbon, who said the district was able to consider purchasing a new fire engine this year thanks to a good timber harvest.

“We really rely on that revenue,” Kelbon said.

Kelbon asked that commissioners do further analysis on the timber lands to determine the impact to junior taxing districts, including the impact on local jobs.

Emmons said an older University of Washington study found that statewide the timber industry generated $1.5 billion annually and generated between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs.

________

Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at peter.segall@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Ben Hecht, a geologist with environmental consulting firm Landau Associates, takes a sample of raw drinking water taken at the city of Port Angeles’ ranney collector on Saturday at the Elwha River, downstream from Friday’s tanker crash that dumped petroleum products into Indian Creek west of Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
‘Do not drink’ order given for Port Angeles water customers

Bottled water available Sunday at two locations

Foundation donates $1 million to hospital

Recipients include residency program, scholarships and cancer care center

A former teacher, Larry Jeffryes moved to Sequim with his wife in 2013. He was appointed to the Sequim School Board in September 2019, elected by voters in November of that year and was elected again in 2023. Before his resignation, Jeffryes’ term was set to go through November 2027. (Larry Jeffryes)
Sequim school board director resigns after six years in seat

District opens process to apply for position

Members of the musical group Soupbones, from left, Ed Schmid of Port Angeles, Ron Munro of Sequim, Carly List of Port Angeles and Hugh Starks of Sequim, perform at a Good Trouble community gathering and picnic on Thursday at Erickson Playfield in Port Angeles. Organizers of the event, one of numerous gatherings across the United States, decided to forego conventional politics while commemorating the life of civil rights activist John Lewis. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Good trouble rally

Members of the musical group Soupbones, from left, Ed Schmid of Port… Continue reading

State funds to benefit coastal habitat

Clallam, Jefferson awarded $1.6M

Artists Heather Sparks, left, and Zeo Boekbinder set up a stencil of a fern leaf in an effort to decorate an otherwise-drab concrete roadside divider along Race Street south of Lauridsen Boulevard on Wednesday in Port Angeles. The divider work was part of a larger project to beautify the Race Street corridor from Eighth Street to Hurricane Ridge Road, which included improved traffic lanes, pedestrian and bicycle lanes and decorative lighting. Long-term plans call for similar improvements to Race Street, extending to First and Front streets. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
A touch of color

Artists Heather Sparks, left, and Zeo Boekbinder set up a stencil of… Continue reading

A tanker truck overturned into Indian Creek west of Port Angeles, according to the State Patrol and the state Department of Transportation. U.S. Highway 101 was closed Friday afternoon at milepost 238 near Herrick Road, and traffic was being diverted to state Highway 112. (Katherine Weatherwax via X)
Highway 101 reopens after tanker truck overturns into creek

Port Angeles asks utility customers to conserve water

Lisa Hansen of Port Angeles, center, takes a cellphone photo of her son, Cooper Hansen, 3, as Hansen’s mother, Tracy Hansen, right, looks on during a warm day at Hollywood Beach on the Port Angeles waterfront on Wednesday. The trio were enjoying a sunny summer afternoon next to the water. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Picture perfect

Lisa Hansen of Port Angeles, center, takes a cellphone photo of her… Continue reading

Claim against First Fed alleges $100M fraud

First Fed plans to ‘vigorously defend’ loans

Olympic Medical Center CEO says Medicaid cuts will hit hard

Darryl Wolfe tells board entire state will feel impact

Joseph Wilson, left, and Kevin Streett.
Jefferson PUD names new general manager

Wilson comes with 30 years of experience