WA Public Lands Agency Confronts Operating Cash Crunch, as Logging Revenue Lags
State timber sales revenue has lagged expenses for four quarters, and the account fell from nearly $19 million to just over $1 million in two years.
- Washington's Department of Natural Resources faces a budget crisis, with its Forest Development Account projected to go negative by June. The shortfall threatens state worker layoffs and increased taxpayer costs for agency operations.
- Foresters and industry groups point to Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove's eight-month pause on timber sales as the primary cause for the deficit. Upthegrove denies the policy caused budget difficulties.
- Amanda Hacker, president of the Washington Public Employees Association, argued the shortfall stems from leadership choices, not just external factors. The account balance fell from nearly $19 million to just over $1 million over two years.
- Upthegrove cited over $20 million in outstanding sales revenue uncollected from loggers, while noting timber prices have not kept pace with inflation. He rejected claims his policy caused the budget crisis.
- Duane Emmons, assistant deputy supervisor of state uplands, indicated the account could recover if harvest levels continue rising, though high fuel prices might delay loggers. The situation remains "really a wait-and-see game right now," Emmons said.
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The Columbian
WA public lands agency confronts operating cash crunch, as logging revenue lags
A regional timber industry group warns that Washington’s Department of Natural Resources is headed for deep budget trouble that will result in state worker layoffs and force taxpayers to foot more of the bill to keep the agency running. Read more...
Washington public lands agency confronts operating cash crunch, as logging revenue lags - The Daily Chronicle
A regional timber industry group warns that Washington’s Department of Natural Resources is headed for deep budget trouble that will result in state worker layoffs and force taxpayers to foot more of the bill to keep the agency running. Counties that rely on logging revenue from land the agency manages could be at financial risk, too, argues the American Forest Resource Council. While it’s become common for the group to clash with the departmen…
Nisqually Valley News
The ReflectorWashington public lands agency confronts operating cash crunch, as logging revenue lags
A regional timber industry group warns that Washington’s Department of Natural Resources is headed for deep budget trouble that will result in state worker layoffs and force taxpayers to foot more of the bill to keep the agency running. Counties that rely on logging revenue from land the agency manages could be at financial risk, too, argues the American Forest Resource Council. While it’s become common for the group to clash with the departmen…
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