Washington State botanists have recently discovered that the Toandos (also known as Coyle) Peninsula — which extends into the Hood Canal region and is adjacent to pristine Dabob Bay — contains over 500 acres of forest types considered “globally imperiled.” These forests are a priority for conservation in the State of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources’ Natural Heritage Program. Many of these forests have old growth features and biodiversity only seen in naturally regenerated forests. These are not tree plantations or tree farms. The Toandos Forests are among the very last remaining examples of these types of native forests, that have otherwise been permanently altered by logging and/or development. Yet, Washington Department of Natural Resources is considering near-term plans to clear cut these Heritage Forests, which is in violation of their own Sustainable Forestry Initiative certification standards.

We, the undersigned, recognize our role as guardians of the Toandos Forests, as globally unique and imperiled, and call upon you as our representatives to uphold the value these lands contain, including: storing carbon to reduce global warming, protecting water quality and shellfish beds, and preserving habitat for wildlife that depends on mature native forests and old growth trees (some over 400 years old), and honoring Native American treaty rights.

We, the petitioners, request the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources and Jefferson County protect the Heritage Forests of the Toandos Peninsula by including them within an expanded Dabob Bay Natural Area. Inclusion in the Dabob Bay Natural Area will allow the state to seek funding to replace the lost timber revenue through the State’s Trust Land Transfer funding program, thus protecting them for future generations.