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Tumwater council seeks more information on Capitol Forest timber auctions, schedules work session
Summary
Council members raised concerns about upcoming Department of Natural Resources timber auctions in the Capitol Forest area (parcels referred to in testimony as 'Cabbage Patch', 'Carrot' and 'Bears') and asked staff to schedule a work session with County Commissioner Menser and DNR representatives to explore preservation and possible land-swap options.
Multiple council members used their reports on May 19 to highlight regional forest-management concerns and recent conversations at the climate mitigation collaborative. Council Member Sworthhat and others described efforts by Thurston County Commissioner Menser to postpone or influence state timber auctions in the Capitol Forest and urged joint regional engagement.
Council members said some auctioned parcels are older, structurally complex forests that local leaders and residents want to preserve. Joan Kathy asked who auctions the parcels and how the harvested land is used; a council exchange clarified the Department of Natural Resources runs the auctions and timber sales are intended to generate revenue for state accounts. Council members discussed options such as swap proposals, letters to the Department of Natural Resources and inviting DNR representation to a city work session.
City staff agreed to schedule a work session and to invite Commissioner Menser and Department of Natural Resources representatives to provide more detail on specific parcels and possible interventions. Council members emphasized the area's recreational and economic value to the region and said additional information is required before the council decides whether to pursue formal advocacy actions.
