DNR to help Clallam, other timber counties with economic study

Probe will look at marbled murrelet conservation

PORT ANGELES — The state Department of Natural Resources will help Clallam and other timber counties fund an economic study of the long-term conservation of the marbled murrelet.

Commissioners Randy Johnson and Bill Peach voted Tuesday — with Mark Ozias excused — to approve a $20,000 cost-sharing agreement with DNR to fund an economic study commissioned by the state Association of Counties.

“The purpose of this agreement is to allow the Department of Natural Resources to contribute to the total funding for this project,” said Peach, who also serves on the state Board of Natural Resources.

“We are contributing, I believe, $7,500, and the DNR is contributing $20,000.”

Johnson said the total cost of the study is $100,000.

Threatened species

The marbled murrelet is a threatened seabird that nests in coastal forests.

Several counties and junior taxing districts in Clallam County have sued the DNR over its recently-adopted 2015-2024 sustainable harvest calculation and long-term conservation strategy for the marbled murrelet.

Both documents affect timber harvests on state trust lands, which provide revenue for timber counties and their schools, fire departments and other junior taxing districts.

Both plans were approved by the state Board of Natural Resources Dec. 3. Peach voted no.

Environmental groups also have sued DNR over the sustainable harvest calculation and long-term conservation strategy for the marbled murrelet, saying the agency did not go far enough to protect state forests and threatened species.

The Association of Counties’ economic study will be performed by the Portland-based natural resource consulting firm Mason, Bruce & Girard.

“The county will solely be serving as an agent for DNR for the purchase of DNR’s share of the cost of this study of $20,000,” county officials said in an executive summary to the cost-sharing agreement.

According to the project proposal, Mason, Bruce & Girard will determine the change in revenue to each taxing district and the change in employment and income to each county as a result of the murrelet plan.

The consultant also will provide a financial model that can be used for future DNR proposals that affect timber harvests on state trust lands, the proposal says.

A final report will be published in July, according to the project timeline.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Laken Folsom, a Winter Ice Village employee, tries to remove leaves that blew in from this week’s wind storm before they freeze into the surface of the rink on Thursday. The Winter Ice Village, operated by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce in the 100 block of West Front Street, opens today and runs through Jan. 5. Hours are from noon to 9 p.m. daily. New this year is camera showing the current ice village conditions at www.skatecam.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Ice village opens in Port Angeles

Laken Folsom, a Winter Ice Village employee, tries to remove leaves that… Continue reading

Fort PDA receiver protecting assets

Principal: New revenue streams needed

Ella Biss, 4, sits next to her adoptive mother, Alexis Biss, as they wait in Clallam County Family Court on Thursday for the commencement of the ceremony that will formalize the adoption of Ella and her 9-year-old brother John. (Emma Maple/Peninsula Daily News)
Adoption ceremony highlights need for Peninsula foster families

State department says there’s a lack of foster homes for older children, babies

Legislature to decide fate of miscalculation

Peninsula College may have to repay $339K

The Sequim Valley Lions Club donated $5,000 the Sequim Unit of the Boys Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula.
Mary Budke, on left, and Norma Turner, on right, received the donation on behalf of the Boys Girls Clubs.
Lions donation

The Sequim Valley Lions Club donated $5,000 the Sequim Unit of the… Continue reading

Jae McGinley
Jae McGinley selected for fellowship, scholarship

Jae McGinley has been selected for the Next Generation… Continue reading

A street sweeper on I Street in Port Angeles cleans up the street along the curbs of all the debris that blew down during Tuesday evening’s storm. Thousands were without power at the peak of the storm. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Storm causes power outages, road closures

Smaller weather system may hit Friday

Port Angeles funds lodging tax requests

Sixteen applications to undergo review

Port Townsend’s Water Street sewer project gets funds

City council authorizes contracts; construction to start in January

Port of Port Angeles commissioners approve 2025 budget

Board OKs project that would treat seawater to make it less acidic

Two injured after truck collides with tree

Two people were injured when the truck in which… Continue reading