Recreation, Economy & Habitat All Benefit From Naval Program

POULSBO, Wash., June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Trust for Public Land recently coordinated a transaction of forested land near the Dosewallips River in partnership with the Navy, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Pope Resources.

The Navy has purchased a restrictive easement on 3,607 acres of working forest in Jefferson County along the Dosewallips River as part of a long-term effort to maintain the Navy's ability to accomplish its mission at and around Naval Base Kitsap and its range in the Hood Canal.  The easement prevents significant development or construction from occurring in the area.

Additionally, Washington State Parks purchased 215 acres of land next to the Dosewallips River – about two miles of its length, which will be added to Dosewallips State Park. 

The remaining 3,392 acres of the property will continue to be sustainably managed and harvested for timber by the seller, Pope Resources.

"This project is an outstanding example of how well-managed forest conservation supports a broad range of economic activities including recreation, timber harvest, and our national defense," said Paul Kundtz, Washington State Director of The Trust for Public Land, the national conservation organization that arranged the transaction in partnership with Naval Base Kitsap, Washington State Parks and Pope Resources.

"The ability of the Navy to continue our vital missions and training is critical to our nation's defense," according to Capt. Tom Zwolfer, Commanding Officer, Naval Base Kitsap.  "One of the keys to achieving that goal is ensuring that intensive development does not occur on land bordering bases and training areas."

"Naval Base Kitsap and our local partners have been actively working to buffer these important areas for three years, protecting more than 5,100 acres to date," Zwolfer continued.  "We are proud to work closely with these organizations to deliver benefits not only to the Navy but to the entire community."

While the land is strategically important to Naval Base Kitsap, it has also long been a priority for conservation efforts, both as habitat for native fish and wildlife, and to sustain Washington's timber industry.

"Pope Resources is committed to productive and sustainable timber production in our region, and we will continue to manage the lands we own under the conservation easement consistent with Washington State's Forest and Fish Law," said Jon Rose, President of Olympic Property Group, a Pope Resources subsidiary.  "Since 1998, we have sold more than 6,000 acres into conservation, and have more than 25,000 acres of our land under conservation easements. Leveraging both conservation sales and easements together is a strategy that benefits the communities that we operate in while creating value for our investors."

Using a grant from the Salmon Recovery Fund, and matching funds from the Navy, Washington State Parks now has full ownership of the most environmentally sensitive area of the property.

"This land is at the heart of a popular year-round outdoor recreation destination that draws people from near and far," said Don Hoch, State Parks director. "With the acquisition of this property, State Parks will be able to protect important fish habitat while also offering a way for people to experience the Dosewallips River and connect to federally owned recreation lands."

Naval Base Kitsap provides world-class service, programs and facilities that effectively and efficiently meet the needs of our hosted war-fighting commands, tenant activities, crew and employees at several installations including Bangor, Bremerton, Keyport, Manchester and Jackson Park.

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live within a ten-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. Learn more at tpl.org.

Pope Resources, a publicly traded limited partnership and its subsidiaries, Olympic Resource Management and Olympic Property Group, own or manage 193,000 acres of timberland and development property in Washington, Oregon, and California. Pope Resources also manages, co-invests in, and consolidates three private equity timber funds that provide an efficient means of investing capital in Pacific Northwest timberland while earning fees from managing the funds for third-party investors. The company and its predecessor companies have owned and managed timberlands and development properties for over 160 years. Additional information on the company can be found at www.poperesources.com.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission offers a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks' statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.

SOURCE Pope Resources

Related Links

http://www.poperesources.com