SAF National Convention 2007: Convention Program

Doug Sutherland, Commissioner of Public Lands, Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Doug is serving his second term as Commissioner of Public Lands; Doug Sutherland administers the Department of Natural Resources, the state's management agency for 5.6 million acres of forest, agricultural, range, tidal and shore lands. As Commissioner, Doug works to balance the important goals of providing funding for schools, habitat protection and opportunities for recreation. He serves as chair of the Board of Natural Resources and the Forest Practices Board. Doug previously served two terms as Pierce County Executive 1/93 - 12/00. Prior to that Doug was the City of SeaTac's first City Manager, 11/89 - 12/92. Doug began his political career as a member of the Tacoma City Council 1980-1981 and served as Mayor from 1982-1990.

Leadership in Obtaining a Habitat Conservation Plan for the State of Washington
The Forests and Fish effort which led to the Washington State Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan is a successful example of developing collaborative partnerships among regulatory agencies, forest landowners, Indian tribes, and environmental groups resulting in healthy forest habitats and clean streams for recovery of fish and riparian amphibians on non-federal forests, statewide. The programmatic, statewide plan is the first of its kind, covering 60,000 miles of streams running through 9.3 million acres of forestland. With this HCP, Washington State leads the nation in sustaining a viable timber industry while meeting the requirements of the nation's premier federal environmental laws.