PORT ANGELES — Port of Port Angeles commissioners have called for a study of the economic impacts of the Wild Olympics Campaign’s proposal to convert timberland to wilderness.

The Wild Olympics Campaign, a coalition of conservation and recreation groups, is proposing a long-term series of purchases that could add 37,000 acres of wilderness areas, wild and scenic-designated rivers, and hunting preserves to the Olympic Peninsula.

Some parcels could become additions to Olympic National Park with the approval of Congress.

Wild Olympics leadership is currently working to draft a bill to present to Congress for consideration.

Economic analysis

Dan Underwood, who teaches economics and environmental science at Peninsula College, and Jason Cross of the Olympic Natural Resources Center in Forks have been asked to put together a baseline economic analysis of how the Wild Olympics proposal would affect the Northern Peninsula, said Commissioner John Calhoun at a port commission meeting Monday.

A contract is being written now.

The study would cost $10,000 to $15,000 and would be complete by the end of August, said Dave Hagiwara, port director of trade and development.

The study would include effects on Clallam and Jefferson counties, said Bill James, director of finance.

Additional studies by partners in Mason and Grays Harbor counties would provide more complete information on regional effects, James said.

The commission sought the study to provide information for the legislative process.

The report will be made available to the public when it is complete, Calhoun said.

In the Wild Olympics proposal, land purchases would be funded with offshore oil funds, and it could take as long as 40 years before significant amounts of acreage would be purchased, proponents said.

Most of the land to be purchased under the proposal is currently held by private timber interests.

Whenever a property is put up for sale, an offer would be made to purchase it as designated wilderness or for the national park.

The landowners would not be under obligation to take that offer over any others, according to Wild Olympics proponents.

Concern voiced

Timber industry representatives have voiced the concern that removing 37,000 acres of private timber lands would damage the industry in the Olympic Peninsula.

A North Olympic Timber Action Committee study said the proposal could cause the loss of as many as 226 jobs and up to $4 million in tax revenue for local governments.

The committee offered a counterproposal that would increase the acreage available for timber harvesting.

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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.