Title
A MOTION authorizing the chair of the King County council to sign a letter of concurrence to the Washington state Department of Natural Resources related to the transfer of Water Pollution Control Division Trust parcels at Middle Fork Snoqualmie.
Body
WHEREAS, under the trust land transfer program as authorized by RCW 79.17.300 and RCW 79.17.310, the Washington state Department of Natural Resources may complete transfers for Department of Natural Resources-managed state trust lands that are economically underperforming and have ecological benefits, and use legislative appropriations for approved trust land transfers to acquire replacement real property that will provide long-term, sustainable revenue to the trust beneficiaries, and
WHEREAS, on June 4, 2026, the Washington state Department of Natural Resources notified the King County council that 86.78 acres were identified as candidates to be transferred out of trust status to the Department of Natural Resources-managed Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area after replacement land has been identified, and
WHEREAS, of the 86.78 acres, 25.46 acres are State Forest Transfer trust and 61.32 acres are Water Pollution Control Division trust, and
WHEREAS, the Washington state Department of Natural Resources needs written concurrence on the parcels from the legislative authority of the county before the state moves forward with transfer of replacement parcels, and
WHEREAS, under a 1995 biosolids agreement between the County and the Washington state Department of Natural Resources, in the event of a transfer of Water Pollution Control trust lands, now owned or to be acquired in the future, for fair market value, the proceeds shall be reinvested in other forest, agricultural, or open space lands within the Greenway in King County to be designated as Water Pollution Control trust lands, and
WHEREAS, according to an appraisal report prepared by Integra Realty Resources for the Washington state Department of Natural Resources, the Water Pollution Control Division trust parcel was appraised for two hundred fifty thousand dollars, and
WHEREAS, the amount will be placed in the state's Real Property Replacement Account, and the state will hold said funds, together with accrued interest, for the purpose of acquiring desirable replacement property for the Water Pollution Control Division Trust solely within King County and within the Greenway area, and
WHEREAS, on July 31, 2026, the Washington state Department of Natural Resources wrote to the King County council and King County executive requesting a letter of concurrence;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The chair of the King County council is authorized to sign the letter of concurrence attached as Attachment A to this motion.