Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Timber Forecast topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DNR reports FY26 sales, FY27 forecast and structural revenue concerns for trust accounts
Summary
DNR staff reported FY26 sales of roughly 404 million board feet and a sold value near $120 million, discussed a revised operating forecast nearer 430 million board feet for future years, and warned that rising agency costs and flat timber prices create a structural funding problem for management accounts.
Department staff presented timber-sale results, a multi-year forecast and an economic briefing at the board's July 7 meeting that together painted a picture of lower-than-expected timber volumes, softer prices in FY26 and a need to address structural funding pressures.
Mike Sligh reported June auctions sold about 46.9 million board feet and said FY26 final sold volume was approximately 404,000,000 board feet with a sold value of roughly $120,000,000 and an average stumpage in the neighborhood of $300 per thousand board feet. Christopher Larson, DNR's lead economist, explained that sales translate into harvests over a 2–3 year window and presented a revised longer-term operating forecast that now centers on roughly 430,000,000 board feet in outlying years, down from prior assumptions near 500–600 million.
Board members and staff exchanged questions about the drivers of the decline: litigation delays, tribal consultation, SEPA changes, fewer loggers, rising harvest and operational costs, and a widening gap between market log prices and stumpage DNR receives. Commissioner Uptegrove warned of a structural problem: with agency overhead and preparation costs rising and timber revenue largely flat, management accounts and core services could face a mid-term funding crunch unless legislative or other structural fixes are found. Board members discussed options including legislative funding, shifting contract terms and trying to better align timing of receipts.
Why it matters: changes to forecasted timber volumes and persistent cost pressures affect revenue available to trust beneficiaries and the health of DNR management accounts. The board directed staff to continue analysis and flagged the issue for potential legislative attention.
