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County staff says DNR paused turnover timber sale; council discusses tours, land-swap options and long-term forest goals
Summary
Policy analyst Jordan Boaty reported the Department of Natural Resources paused timber sales containing certain stand-development units; councilors requested tours, discussed engaging DNR and nonprofits on models to identify structurally complex forests, and asked staff to return with county-forest management scenario options.
Jordan Boaty, a county policy analyst, told the Clark County Council that the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has paused timber sales containing "maturation 2" stand-development units, and that the Turnover timber sale is included in that pause. The pause complicates a previously announced auction scheduled toward September because the sale must complete SEPA and environmental review before going to the Board of Natural Resources for consideration.
Boaty said DNR staff are also developing a model to identify structurally complex and older forest stands that will inform future management practices, and staff did not provide a timeline for that model.
Councilors discussed ways to be more proactive on forest issues. Councilor Little said she serves as the county’s representative to the Wasatch Forest Counties board and proposed two follow-ups: an internal meeting with DNR local staff and nonprofits (for example, Cascade Forest Conservancy) that already have similar models and data, and county tours of trust lands and county-owned forest properties. Little asked that any small work group return recommendations to the full council.
Another councilor stressed the need to include timber-industry representatives in early conversations to avoid unintended consequences for the industry and to improve plan design.
Councilors requested staff to return with specific scenarios for long-term management of county-owned forest acres that would promote older, structurally diverse stands, and to circulate proposed tour dates for DNR trust lands.
Why it matters: The DNR pause and the county’s discussion about management goals could affect future timber sales, conservation of older-growth stands, and potential land-swap or purchase strategies that trade development-threatened private lands for conservation of structurally complex forests.
Staff will provide dates for tours and follow-up material requested by councilors.
