FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHJM 4035

Brief Description:  Urging legislation facilitating forest land exchange.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Dyer, Butler, Schoesler, Mastin, Linville, Sehlin, Buck, Huff, Mulliken, Chandler and Koster).

House Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

Background:  For a number of years, the U.S. Forest Service and Plum Creek Timber Company have been exploring a land exchange.  The land proposed for exchange that is currently owned by Plum Creek is approximately 60,000 acres near the Interstate 90 corridor and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.  Much of this ownership is in a checkerboard pattern with U.S. Forest Service lands.  The land proposed for exchange that is currently owned by the  U.S. Forest Service is approximately 40,000 acres in three national forests:  the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, the Wenatchee, and the Gifford Pinchot.

Summary:  A number of findings are made regarding the value Washington citizens place upon their natural heritage, the growing demand for recreational use of the state's natural resources and the impact this demand may have.  In discussing the proposed land exchange between Plum Creek Timber Company and the U.S. Forest Service, it is found that the process has involved extensive public participation and that the exchange complements the President's Forest Plan.  It is also found that time is of the essence because the longer it takes to complete the exchange, the less private land will be precluded from harvest activities.  The United States government is asked to complete the proposed exchange promptly.

Votes on Final Passage:

House960

Senate490