Drew (Department of Natural Resources staff) told the Clallam County Board of Commissioners that timber receipts finished the second quarter at $4,560,000, above the earlier internal forecast, but that near-term uncertainty remains because of a pause on new sales and active litigation. “So we finished the quarter at 4,560,000,” Drew said.

The state agency reported under contract going into calendar 2026 of about $7.5 million and said it is aiming for a countywide year-end timber revenue between $9.5 million and $10 million. The agency also told commissioners that a large Elk Mill sale is scheduled for January and is listed at 9,400,000 board feet; if delivered as anticipated, that sale would significantly increase future receipts.

The update matters to local governments because timber receipts are distributed to a range of junior taxing districts. Commissioner Johnson (County commissioner) pressed the agency on how long the pause would last and what the effect would be. “I don't have a date for when the pause is gonna be ended,” Drew replied, and later staff described the expected pause length as roughly “6 month-ish.”

DNR staff told commissioners that litigation around timber sales has been consolidated in some instances and that several cases have been resolved or dropped, reducing the total case load, but that a substantial number of cases remain. The agency said some sales that had been expected later in the year “sneaked in” early and closed sooner, which temporarily improved receipts, but that the pause and pending litigation could continue to suppress the pipeline of new sales.

Commissioners and staff discussed the practical effect on local budgets. One commissioner noted that a library district or other junior taxing district counting on a half-million-dollar timber distribution could face a “major issue” if anticipated receipts do not materialize. DNR staff offered to meet one-on-one with junior districts planning capital projects to review sales schedules and to explore whether out-year scheduled sales could be brought forward if feasible.

No formal motions or legislative actions were taken at the meeting; the session was an informational update and request for forecasting data. DNR staff said they will refine and share updated forecasts as the agency completes early budget-stage planning.

Ending: County officials asked the DNR for an updated, conservative forecast to inform budgeting; the agency said it would provide a cleaned-up projection for early 2026 once internal spending plans are finalized.