The Program Evaluation of the Small Forest Landowner Office and Associated Programs of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Abstract

The passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 2091, also known as the Forest and FishRules, by the Washington State Legislature in 1999 mandated the formation of the Small Forest Landowner Office within the Department of Natural Resources, tasked with being a focal point of small forest landowner concerns, have expertise on and operate certain governmental assistance programs for small forest landowners, and produce routine updates and recommendations to the Washington State Legislature. Evaluation of the Small Forest Landowner Office and its programs has been limited, until the Washington’s Small Forest Landowners in 2020 report by the University of Washington, in part represented in this research. This research is a program evaluation of the Small Forest Landowner Office and its associated programs of (1) the Forestry Riparian Easement Program, (2) the Family Forest Fish Passage Program, and (3) the Alternate Plan process. The research will provide insights to small forest landowner community in Washington State along with the impacts and remediation efforts of the Forest and Fish Rules, including where there are strengths and avenues for improvement. Using surveys, interviews, and agency reports, this research illustrates that the small forest landowner community of Washington State is diverse, with many different ownership objectives and motivations that lead to certain perceptions, management styles, and program usage. The research further finds that the Small Forest Landowner Office, the Forestry Riparian Easement Program, the Family Forest Fish Passage Program, and the Alternate Plan process are all operating below desired levels, with the Small Forest Landowner Office also unable to complete legislative mandated duties. Nevertheless, the Small Forest Landowner Office and its associated programs are widely considered as positive for helping small forest landowners. This work suggests that the Small Forest Landowner Office and its associated programs are underfunded and understaffed while still producing positive outcomes to a diverse client community. Understanding the limitations of the Small Forest Landowner Office and its associated programs, along with the diversity of the small forest landowner community, gives managers and administrators insight to best serve the small forest landowner community and uphold legislatively mandated duties while managing fiscal and personnel constraints