Weyerhaeuser selling more land land in the Margret and Merrill Lake ???

[Red Leg]

Saw this on another site.


"LONGVIEW — Weyerhaeuser Co.’s real estate company is selling about 6,500 acres of timberland at Merrill Lake and Shultz Creek near Mount St. Helens, saying the land is no longer profitable for timber management.

The move has outdoor enthusiasts worried that the land, which includes year-round hunting and fishing opportunities, could be developed into small parcels by a new owner. It comes about two years after the company’s controversial sale of the 4,100-acre “High Lakes” area sparked the same concerns.

The 1,410-acre Merrill Lake property is north of Cougar and adjacent to the southern edge of the Mount St. Helens National Monument.

The 5,095-acre Shultz Creek tract is popular elk-hunting land off Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. It’s located in the blast zone of the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens.

The company conducted extensive salvage and reforestation operations there after the blast.

The two parcels go on the market next Saturday. Weyerhaeuser has not determined a price.

The company transferred the Merrill Lake and Shultz Creek lands from its timber division to its real-estate division this spring because it was no longer profitable to harvest, said Brad Johnson, sales and marketing manager for the Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Development Co.

The lands are remote and difficult to reach. In addition, Shultz Creek is packed with Noble fir trees, whereas Weyerhaeuser harvests primarily Douglas fir. Also, the company has extracted a lot of the value of the nobles already, harvesting lower branches for wreaths and other Christmas decorations.

The company is marketing the properties for their timber value and recreational opportunities but has no control over its use after the sale, Johnson said.

“We think of it as forestland. That’s how we’re selling it,” Johnson said."

[rackattack]

Damn it!!!   That Shultz Creek track used to be some of the best elk area up there.  Won't be long and Weyerhaeuser will have sold off the entire tree farm.  This sucks.

[Ghost Hunter]

The lands are remote and difficult to reach.

Merril Lake is remote   Pretty handy for cabin access

[grousetracker]

whats the difference , they hardly open their lands anymore anyway.

[jackelope]

i thought this was old news...like it was happening a couple years ago.
 

[280ackley]

Jackelope, I believe a couple of years ago they were "looking in to it".  It is now official I found this on there web site. http://weyerhaeuser.com/Businesses/AcreageForSale/Washington

[ELKBURGER]

Maybe hunt-wa.com could buy it, I wish. If wdfg was'nt bankrupt they could buy it. Just a thought.

[Heavily Armed Hiker]

Forward the link you found this info on to RMEF and see if they are interested.

[3dvapor]

unfortunately, it looks like eventually everything will be pay to hunt.  This process has already started in our state with other timber and ranch land.  just wait for land owner tags.  This will be the next evolution in my opinion when wdfw cant raise fees any higher and still finds itself facing financial troubles.

[georgia redneck]

Yo 3d why you gotta bum me out

[Goldeneye]

I forwarded the information on this onto RMEF.  Here is the response I received this afternoon.  Doesn't really say a whole lot.  At least they know about it now.

Thank you for your concern of these wild places and the future of them. I appreciate you bringing this to our attention.  Our staff in the Northwest are working hard to protect valuable elk habitat and appreciate your support and concern. 

 

Jennifer Doherty  •  Lands Specialist
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

[ELKBURGER]

You did all you could do. I'm sure not many people could afford a land purchase like that. We'll see what happens, thanks for trying.

[HntnFsh]

i thought this was old news...like it was happening a couple years ago.
 

They sold the high lakes area last year.

The Schultz creek sale is a different patch but real close to there.

[Huntbear]

Anyone know the local RMEF reps? or have contacts in Missoula?  They may help keep this land public, they have done it before.

[bucklucky]

If there was going to be a place for RMEF to buy it should be the Schultz creek parcel. I loved that area, killed my biggest buck in there  I hate seeing this stuff for sale.