DNR staff outline timber-sale appraisal method, costs and local market channels

Department of Natural Resources staff described the agency’s timber-sale appraisal process to Clallam County junior taxing districts, explaining how field cruises, delivered-log prices and harvest costs are combined to set a minimum bid that aims to attract competitive offers. The DNR presentation, given at a county meeting attended by local officials and fire commissioners, summarized timber cruises, market-data collection, the three largest costs tied to harvest (logging, roads and transportation), and how fees and taxes are removed from standing-timber value to arrive at a minimum bid. Why it matters: county and local taxing districts rely on timber-sale revenue for schools, fire districts and other services, so how the DNR estimates value and times sales affects local budgets. DNR staff said the appraisal process starts with a timber-cell cruise that measures species, diameters and defect information to estimate standing volume. Staff then combine that cruise volume with monthly delivered-log price surveys published by the agency to…