Guest Opinion by Phil Larkin
Cover photo courtesy Phil Larkin
Unproductive. Marginal Value. Underperforming Asset. These are words used by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to describe the Thorpe property, or Westwood Natural Area. This scenic 190 acres of state land in Latah Valley is home to unique plants, geologic features, and a gang of wildlife. DNR is poised to dispose of this Thorpe property in early 2025. Locals who understand the true value of this hidden gem are asking the state to halt the sale. If you’d like to speak out, you have until Thursday, Dec. 19, to submit your comment. (See submission details at the bottom of this article.)
DNR sees most land under their care through an economic lens. If land can’t be logged, grazed, or mined it is sometimes considered for sale on the open market. This isn’t because the DNR is stacked with greedy industrialists. It is their sworn duty; our state constitution requires the department to produce funds for K-12 education. In the case of the Thorpe property, this natural beauty is set to be traded for a Haggen grocery store in Bellingham.
Trading scenic land for commercial income on the west side might bother Spokane residents. Our region is home to “unproductive” land of “marginal value” targeted by the state for future commercial lease contracts where we love to walk, hike, recreate, and take a pause from urban hustle. We will have to speak up in the coming days to save the eastside ponderosa stands we know to be a treasure.
If you’d like to stand up for the last great natural area in Spokane, please consider contacting DNR using the info below. If you are looking for inspiration, please visit this natural area: the basalt cliffs, geologic mysteries known as Mima Mounds, and sweeping views of Mount Spokane and beyond will not disappoint. You can find directions here: www.friendsofwestwood.org.
Written testimony on this pending land sale will be accepted until December 19, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
Email comments to exchanges@dnr.wa.gov (please include the Exchange File No.86-108039 name in the subject line).
OR
Letters should be addressed to the
Department of Natural Resources, ATTN: Thorpe Exchange File No.86-108039
1111 Washington St SE, PO Box 47014
Olympia, WA 98504-7014.
