Post by: Red Leg on August 11, 2009, 06:09:36 PM
"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."
Post by: rackattack on August 11, 2009, 06:34:06 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on August 11, 2009, 07:03:49 PM
Merril Lake is remote :dunno: Pretty handy for cabin access :bash:
Post by: grousetracker on August 11, 2009, 08:03:05 PM
Post by: jackelope on August 11, 2009, 08:06:31 PM
:dunno:
Post by: 280ackley on August 11, 2009, 08:11:20 PM
Post by: ELKBURGER on August 11, 2009, 08:30:48 PM
Post by: Heavily Armed Hiker on August 11, 2009, 08:31:33 PM
Post by: 3dvapor on August 11, 2009, 09:17:02 PM
Post by: georgia redneck on August 12, 2009, 11:04:12 AM
Post by: Goldeneye on August 13, 2009, 03:22:41 PM
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
Post by: ELKBURGER on August 13, 2009, 06:04:09 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on August 13, 2009, 06:47:11 PM
i thought this was old news...like it was happening a couple years ago.
:dunno:
They sold the high lakes area last year.
The Schultz creek sale is a different patch but real close to there.
Post by: Huntbear on August 13, 2009, 06:48:33 PM
Post by: bucklucky on August 13, 2009, 07:00:28 PM
Post by: Huntbear on August 13, 2009, 07:05:33 PM
Post by: rackattack on August 13, 2009, 07:59:10 PM
Post by: Huntbear on August 14, 2009, 12:08:20 PM
Hi John, thank you for your email. Our lands staff that covers Washington and Oregon is aware of this situation and is working with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to see if there can be a conservation outcome for this land. Of course, the major hurdle is securing funding for a land purchase of this importance. Again thank you for your concerns for wild places and for notifying us of this situation.
Jennifer Doherty • Lands Specialist
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
So again, it will boil down to who has the money first. Conservationists or the developers.
Post by: 280ackley on August 14, 2009, 06:44:05 PM
http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/08/10/daily41.html?ana=yfcpc