DNR Requesting $3.4 Million Dollars to Acquire 484 Acre Parcel in Kitsap County

[bigtex]

WA DNR will ask the legislature for $3.4 Million to purchase a 484 acre property. of Pope Resources land in Kitsap County to create the "North Kitsap Community Forest." For more info on the proposed "North Kitsap Community Forest" see http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/em_bc_bnr_cft_northkitsap_presentation.pdf

Now in comparison, last month WDFW spend $1.8 Million in grant money to purchase a 4,200 acres property in Douglas County. http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/sep2914b/

[bigtex]

Now obivously the DNR parcel would have more timber value then WDFW's acquistion in Douglas County which would increase the property value. But now you have DNR asking for $3.4M in state money for 484 acres which are surrounded by houses. To me, this sounds like an acquisition which would be better for a county government, not the state. 

[JimmyHoffa]

The land in Kitsap is probably on some developer's blueprints for the near future development.  the 'Kitsap Crazy' building spree is kind of running out of areas.

[bigtex]

The land in Kitsap is probably on some developer's blueprints for the near future development.  the 'Kitsap Crazy' building spree is kind of running out of areas.

So it should be up to DNR to step in and spend that much money to prevent it from developing?

Most know I have no problem with the government purchasing lands, but this one doesn't make sense to me.

King County has purchased a ton of land in the Maple Valley and Ravensdale area to essentially keep some land from turning into houses. In fact King County actually purchased some lands a couple years ago from DNR in this area. This sounds like something Kitsap County should be concerned with...

[JimmyHoffa]

No, just stating how much has been developed there and why there might be such a difference in price between the two purchases.  I'd say let the county make up the difference above what the high turn around timberland usually goes for (that I've seen)--$3K/acre.

[dreamunelk]

Now obivously the DNR parcel would have more timber value then WDFW's acquistion in Douglas County which would increase the property value. But now you have DNR asking for $3.4M in state money for 484 acres which are surrounded by houses. To me, this sounds like an acquisition which would be better for a county government, not the state. 

You make a good point.  Sounds like they want to have a park.  I doubt there will be any benefit to hunters with this acquisition.

[Humptulips]

So as I read it this kind of thing was approved in the 2011 Legislature.
The local community is putting in roughly 12% of the purchase cost. It will have to be managed to make enough money to cover management and maybe pay the investment back. Knowing government they will probably come up short.

I would say given the propensity to lock up forestland or develop, it is warranted. I would want to walk it and decide what the public land use possibilities are  before I would decide if the price is fair but I don't have time so unless someone complains locally I'd go with it. 

[floatinghat]

It looks like the county lands are park, almost 1000 acres which my understanding all park land in WA is closed to hunting?  If this the case I would prefer DNR to aquire and keep our options open,  North Kitsap has some big bears!

[Knocker of rocks]

It looks like the county lands are park, almost 1000 acres which my understanding all park land in WA is closed to hunting?  If this the case I would prefer DNR to aquire and keep our options open,  North Kitsap has some big bears!

There is no law that makes all parks closed to hunting. 

[csaaphill]

It looks like the county lands are park, almost 1000 acres which my understanding all park land in WA is closed to hunting?  If this the case I would prefer DNR to aquire and keep our options open,  North Kitsap has some big bears!

but they need to come down here and buy up a bunch of land that borders the Rainwater area the the Cayuse Indians baught.
get rid of all these No tresspassing signs along open hill sides with no fence and all a 45 degree drop off down into the canyon.
and using trees to post their darned signs!

[Birdguy]

Need to sell more discovery passes to day hikers and mountain bikers ?

[bigtex]

It looks like the county lands are park, almost 1000 acres which my understanding all park land in WA is closed to hunting?  If this the case I would prefer DNR to aquire and keep our options open,  North Kitsap has some big bears!

There is no law that makes all parks closed to hunting.

Each county sets laws for what can and cannot occur on their lands.

[Knocker of rocks]

While I would bet that most "parks" are no hunting, that doesn't mean that the land in question will be "park" sense stricto.  It could also be called a conservation land, etc etc etc.