At its regular monthly meeting today, the state Board of Natural Resources approved the purchase of 460 acres of forestland in two parcels located west of North Bend in King County. The $1.18 million to purchase the property comes from a fund dedicated to replacing trust land in the Common School Trust, which helps build public schools statewide.

“This is an opportunity to protect salmon habitat and clean water in the Raging River drainage while generating long-term revenue for public school construction,” said Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will manage the land as a working forest. The acquisition from a willing, private seller also enhances DNR’s access to working forestland on neighboring state trust lands in the Tiger Mountain-Raging River State Forest. Eventually, the purchased land could enhance public opportunities for hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing and other types of non-motorized recreation.

Also at today’s meeting, the Board welcomed its newest member, J.T. Austin, who is policy advisor for Gov. Jay Inslee and will serve as his designee on the board.