FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 1027
C 126 L 87
BYRepresentatives Amondson, Holm, Sutherland, Vekich, Rasmussen, Jesernig, Meyers, Hargrove, Basich, McMullen, Fisch, Bristow, Betrozoff, Ballard, D. Sommers, May, Fuhrman, S. Wilson, McLean, Miller, J. Williams, Winsley, Silver, P. King, Cooper, Doty and L. Smith
Providing for the sale of damaged timber from trust lands.
House Committe on Natural Resources
Senate Committee on Natural Resources
SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages approximately 2.1 million acres of forest land. The department holds the land in trust, primarily for the benefit of the state's educational system and the counties. Timber sales from DNR-managed lands in fiscal year 1987 will total approximately 880 million board feet. Timber sale revenue averages about $110 million annually.
Holding the lands in trust means the trustee must protect, conserve and safeguard the trust assets for the benefit of the beneficiary, and use reasonable skill and care to make the trust property produce income.
When timber is damaged, it may begin to deteriorate rapidly. The deterioration causes trees to loose quality and, consequently, value. It is common for wind storms, floods or landslides to cause scattered damage on forest lands throughout the state.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Natural Resources must offer for sale damaged timber within seven months of first identifying the damaged timber. The timber must be offered for sale unless the sale would not be in the best interest of the trust for which the department manages the timber. In determining whether the sale is in the best interest of the trust, the department will consider the net timber value, and relevant social and environmental factors. Timber sales must be in the best interest of the trust.
If social and environmental factors extend the sale date, the timber will be offered for sale as soon as possible.
VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:
House 92 4
Senate 48 0
EFFECTIVE:April 21, 1987