State will buy private, riverside forest land

THE OLYMPIAN

9/29/02

Private landowners in Washington may apply for a new state program that will buy islands of forested river channel or areas where river courses have changed.
The Riparian Open Space Program offers to buy timber in critical streamside habitat and may provide financial help for some private riverside landowners, said Doug Sutherland, commissioner of public lands and head of the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

"These forested islands and channel areas are prime habitat for native wildlife and fish species, and are not suitable for timber harvest," Sutherland said. Landowners and the general public would benefit, he said.

The Legislature has appropriated $1 million to acquire forested riparian parcels. The program will help provide ecological protection and enhance fisheries as well as compensate landowners prohibited from harvesting timber on riparian land isolated by river channels that have migrated over time.

Once acquired, Natural Resources may transfer its interest to another state agency, local government or private nonprofit nature conservation group or to contract with one of those entities for management reflecting the landowner's rights.

Eligible applications will be evaluated and ranked by priority. Transactions will be completed by June. Any applications in excess of funding can be considered during future funding cycles subject to legislative approval.

Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. Nov. 15. Forms are available at the department's Web site, www.wa.gov/dnr, or by mail from Anne Sharar, Asset Management and Protection Division, at 360-902-1739 or anne.sharar@ wadnr.gov.

Applications should be mailed to: Washington DNR, Asset Management and Protection Division, Riparian Open Space Program, P.O. Box 47014, Olympia, WA 984504-7014