| The deadline for commenting on the DNR’s proposal to transfer 490 acres of trust lands to a land bank for potential sale is extended until Wednesday, January 15th. The DNR will also be holding a public meeting on the proposal on Thursday, December 12th from 5-7 pm at the Methow Valley Community Center Gym in Twisp. We encourage you to attend this meeting to learn more about the proposal and ensure our community’s values are heard.
Seven parcels – most near Balky Hill – are being proposed to be transferred to the state land bank which holds properties that are awaiting sale. Though the seven parcels proposed for transfer no longer meet the needs of the Trust Lands Program, MVCC believes they encompass a variety of benefits that provide value to the community and the larger ecosystem. We are encouraging DNR to fully explore and consider all mechanisms available for maintaining the ecosystem and community benefits of these lands.
You can read Methow Valley Citizens Council’s initial comments, including additional informational about the parcels, here.
The DNR’s website has information and maps about the proposed exchange: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/managed-lands/land-transactions/land-bank-exchange-2019
We are optimistic that positive solutions exist that can address the community’s concerns, while allowing the DNR to consolidate trust lands, but hearing from the public is the first step!
Public Meeting on DNR’s Land Transfer Proposal
When: Thursday, December 12th from 5-7pm
Where: Methow Valley Community Center Gym in Twisp
What: The DNR will share their vision for the land transfer and solicit feedback from the community.
Written testimony must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2019. Please mail written testimony to: DNR, Land Bank Exchange 2019, Attn: Deborah Whitney, P.O. Box 47014, Olympia, WA 98504-7014, or email exchanges@dnr.wa.gov. For more information about the exchange, contact Exchange Project Manager Deborah Whitney at 360-902-1482 or deborah.whitney@dnr.wa.gov. |
