Preparing an Application
   

Lake Sammamish State Park
Lake Sammamish State Park. Photo courtesy Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks)
 
 
 
DNR accepted applications to nominate a parcel for transfer in the 2025-27 biennium through September 30, 2023, at dnrtltprogram@dnr.wa.gov. 
 
 
 

How do I nominate a parcel?

To nominate a parcel for the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) program, you need to fill out and submit a parcel application on or before the application deadline. DNR recommends that you review the TLT Program Manual before you begin, and that you work closely with the receiving agency to complete the application. The application must be signed by the applicant and the receiving agency.
 
Along with the application, you will be asked to submit the following:
  • A map of the proposed parcel (required). Include section boundary lines for geographic reference. DNR will create a polygon in its GIS data system based on the information you provide and may contact you to verify that the polygon is correct.
  • A letter of intent from the receiving agency to accept and manage the parcel (required).
  • Letters of support from the community, receiving agency, advocacy groups, neighborhood associations, or others. Letters of support are optional but recommended. If you need more time to obtain letters of support, they can be submitted separately from your application. Letters were to be sent to dnrtltprogram@dnr.wa.gov no later than May 15, 2024.

Who can help me with my application?

Names, email addresses, and phone numbers of land transaction specialists are listed under Contacts on this page.

How long does the TLT process take, and when are applications due?

It takes approximately two years for a parcel to move from its nomination, when the application is turned in, to funding, when the Washington State Legislature sets a funding level for proposed transfers.
 
The TLT program runs on two-year cycles because the state’s budgets are biennial budgets. A biennium is two fiscal years.
  • In Washington state, fiscal years run from July 1 to June 30 of the next calendar year. A fiscal year is always named for the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends. For example, the 2025 fiscal year runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
  • The biennium always begins and ends on odd-numbered calendar years (RCW 1.16.020).
As an example, the 2025-27 biennium includes fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026) and fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027).
 
DNR accepts applications for the TLT program at or near the start of the current biennium for transfers in the next biennium. As an example, DNR will accept applications in the summer of 2023 for transfers in the 2025-27 biennium, as shown in the graphic below. (Click graphic to expand.)
 
Biennium example that shows how TLT fits within legislative calendar.

After Your Application is Submitted

If your application is accepted, it will move to the next step in the TLT process, the eligibility determination.
 
DNR will not cease revenue-generating activities, if any, on the nominated parcel until the Board of Natural Resources has reviewed the prioritized list of parcels and given its consent for sending the list to the Legislature for funding.