Peninsula 2 Land Exchange

DNR is interested in trading up to 2,110.38 acres of state trust property located in Clallam, Jefferson, and Grays Harbor Counties for properties of equal value that would be provided by Merrill and Ring Inc. This exchange involves five DNR trust beneficiaries: State Forest Land Trust (supports county services); the Common School trust (benefits K-12 school construction account); Agricultural School trust (benefits Washington State University); Capitol Grant trust (benefits the Capitol grounds and buildings); and the Normal School Trust (benefits Eastern, Central, Western WA Colleges and the Evergreen State College). The properties for potential DNR acquisition in this land exchange total up to 2,293.30 acres of private property owned by Merrill and Ring, Inc., located in Clallam County.

Purpose

DNR objectives for this proposed land exchange include consolidating working forest landscapes to enhance and strengthen public trust lands for 21st-century sustainability, as well as providing economic, ecological, biological, and social benefits to the State of Washington and its citizens. Actively managed DNR working forests help provide forest biodiversity, habitat protection, open space, public access, and clean air and water for people and wildlife. In addition to providing revenue to support schools, these forestlands provide desirable public recreation opportunities such as bird watching, hiking, fishing, and hunting.

Details

The State land exchange properties involved are located in Clallam, Jefferson, and Grays Harbor Counties.

Exchange Parcel Lists  
Exchange Parcel Maps 
Summary Sheet: Peninsula 2 Land Exchange 

Future public hearing

DNR has scheduled a public hearing for this land exchange on September 10, 2026, to provide information and to take public testimony. The date and location of the hearing are posted below:

The meeting will take place on September 10, 2026, and will start at 5:30 PM at the following location:

Port Angeles Library
2210 S. Peabody Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362

Interested parties can submit written testimony at the public hearing location and date that are listed above, OR interested parties may send in written testimony to arrive at the following DNR address on or prior to September 24, 2026, at 5:30 P.M:

Department of Natural Resources
Asset Management Division
Attn: Martin McElliott for Peninsula 2 Exchange
Mail Stop 47014
Olympia, WA 98504-7014 

Project Status

DNR and Merrill and Ring Inc. are in the early phase of exploring this potential land exchange. The final DNR decision regarding this land exchange will be made by the Board of Natural Resources at one of its scheduled meetings after public input is received and considered, parcel valuations are completed, and an exchange proposal is presented to the Board of Natural Resources.