Companion bills, HB 1946 and SB 5873, propose to create a grant program within the existing Community Forest Trust (CFT) program run by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Prior to acquiring land for a CFT, the DNR must obtain local community commitment to preserve the land as a working forest. Designated in 2013, the Teanaway Community Forest was the first community forest in Washington. HB 1946 is sponsored by Rep. Mike Chapman (R-Port Angeles) and SB 5873 is sponsored by Sen. Brad Hawkins (R-East Wenatchee).

Last session, the Legislature directed the DNR to consult with nonprofit stakeholders, counties, municipalities, tribes, and private forest landowners, to develop a nonstate-owned community forest project list and a process to prioritize and recommend projects to the Legislature. That report was due in November 2018.

The companion bills propose the following grant program structure to create a prioritized list of community forest projects:

• Grant program funds must be used for acquisition, development, and restoration activities related to a community forest project
• “Project sponsors,” defined as certain state agencies, municipalities, counties, ports, special districts, tribes, and nonprofit nature conservancies, may apply for grant funds
• Project sponsors must provide a minimum of 15 percent matching funds
• Project sponsors must coordinate with local county or city officials on a variety of factors that may include project purpose and scope, estimated project cost, public access, and plans for project management and maintenance
• Before November 1 of each year, the DNR must submit to the Governor a prioritized list of proposed grant projects
• The Governor may remove projects from the list, and must subsequently submit the amended list as part of the Governor's capital budget request to the Legislature

Dates to remember

SB 5873 will be heard on Tuesday, February 19 at 1:30 pm in the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee. The bill is also scheduled for a committee vote on Thursday at 1:30 pm.

HB 1946 was heard on February 13 and is scheduled for a committee vote on Wednesday, February 20 at 8 am in the House Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee.