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Washington State's Commitment to Eco-Friendly State Trust Land Managment
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 Commissioner of Public Lands, Peter Goldmark, recently joined with members of the legislature to introduce the Community Forest Trust bill, SB5272, HB1421. This bill would provide a means to protect working forests that are at the greatest risk of conversion while still providing returns to the trust beneficiaries. Land would be transferred to the Community Forest Trust and a management plan would be developed for it. The Common School Construction Account would be reimbursed for value of timber not harvested on the land while a portion of the funds would be used to buy replacement lands managed for future income for the Common School account. Visit the department's website for updates on the bill's status. Read the High Country News blog, and Bellingham Herald article about the bill.
The Forest Biomass Initiative that passed in March 2010 will move to its second phase. Success of two of four biomass pilot programs, a heat and power plant and a wood oil production plant, has led to creation of a bill that will establish a bio-aviation facility to aid in cleaning up emissions from the ever growing industry. Additionally, the bio-aviation bill will kick start the development of a woody biomass supply chain. Goldmark stated that Washington State University, Boeing, and state agencies and businesses support the bill. He pointed out the ample market in the aviation industry and added that Washington has a bright future in the biomass fuel industry and can serve as a model for other states. Read more.
Revenues generated from wind power projects on state trust land exceeded $1 million in 2010 for the first time since the Department of Natural Resources began leasing lands for wind power in 2004. The 11 projects operate 108 turbines on state trust land and produce potentially 191 megawatts of energy. The current output prevents over 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, when compared to the same output of energy from natural gas power plants. That CO2 emission reduction is even higher when compared to a less clean alternative like coal. Goldmark is encouraged by the advances in production and proud that state trust lands can continue to assist in finding solutions for clean energy.
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Keeping Western Trust Lands Beautiful and Accessible
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 Across the west state trust land agencies and stakeholders alike are working to maintain public access to lands valued by recreational enthusiasts of all varieties while helping to ensure the long-term sustainability and beauty of those lands. Whitefish Legacy Partners were awarded the "Citizen of Year" honor for their efforts in shaping the future of 13,000 acres of state trust land in Whitefish, Montana for the benefit of the community and the trust beneficiaries. The first leg of the Whitefish Trail was completed in 2010 and more recently WLP received a $500,000 Recreational Trails Program matching grant from the state.
In Utah, School and Institutional Trust 
Lands Administration (SITLA) met with success collaborating with county representatives, State and Federal agencies, recreational user groups, and local property owners to devise a travel management plan for 27,500 acres of school trust lands. The trust land in the
La Sal Mountains required better stewardship and mitigation of resource damage due to irresponsible off-highway vehicle usage. The plan eliminates redundant and dead end roads, creates looping trail system, reduces impact on wildlife, and accounts for sustainability of trails all while keeping the trails open to full size, ATV, and single track vehicles.
Additionally, SITLA was able to sell 161 acres of trust land to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to add to their St. George White Dome Nature Preserve. This move allows TNC to preserve endangered plant and animal habitat and maintains the asset values of the trust beneficiaries. Read more in SITLA's 2010 Annual Report.
Organizations joined efforts in Arizona to clean up state trust lands near an oft enjoyed trail. Soroptimist International of Gold Canyon and Footprints Matter to Us enlisted the aid of local Peralta Elementary school to rid 3,000 acres of state trust lands surrounding the Peralta Trail of 45 tons of litter. The youngsters learned the importance of conservation and the idea of leaving only footprints when they enjoy the environment. Read the news article.
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 Join the Western States Land Commissioners Association in Rapid City, South Dakota July 10-14, 2011 for the annual summer conference. Visit the website for conference registration and details. |
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PHOTO CREDITS: Washington Blanchard Forest photo - WA DNR; Whitefish Trail photo - Whitefish Legacy Partners; Utah dwarf bear claw photo - NormaLee McMichael.
NEWS FROM THE FIELD: If your office has trust land management information and tools in asset management, collaborative planning, real estate development, and/or conservation use which you would like to share, please send us an email . Attach a news release, documents, and photos.
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