ACTION ALERT: Write your State Senator to Support Funding to Protect State Forests

The Washington State House and Senate have released their separate capital budget proposals, which set the funding levels for important programs like the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) program at DNR. While the House put forward $16.9 million (6 projects) for protecting state lands through the TLT program, the Senate only put forward a disappointing $4.8 million for a single project.

As you may know, TLT is an incredibly important conservation tool that protects ecologically valuable state land while also buying replacement land more suitable for working forest activities. It’s a rare win-win-win that protects the environment & supports rural communities, trust beneficiaries and working forests.

Please take a moment to ask the Senate to match the House $16.9 million budget level during final negotiations which are going on right now and over the next several days.

Background

In Washington state, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages more than three million acres of state trust land. Revenue generated by these trust lands enters a fund that supports K-12 schools, universities, capitol buildings, and state institutions, as well as essential services such as fire, EMT, ports, and libraries. When it is determined that certain trust lands provide greater social and/or ecological benefits, the TLT program provides funding for DNR to conserve those lands while purchasing more economically profitable replacement lands elsewhere. 

Since its inception in 1989, the TLT program has preserved more than 128,000 acres of state trust land for fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, education, and other community uses. Some of the state’s most treasured places—Mt. Si, Blanchard Mountain, and Deception Pass State Park—have benefitted from the TLT program. At the same time, DNR has improved economic returns for the state trust.