OLYMPIA — A 290-acre tract of forest land five miles east of Arlington has been purchased by the state to be added to the land managed statewide for the state’s Common School Trust which helps fund public school construction.

The purchase was approved recently by the Board of Natural Resources for a total of $3.45 million. The land borders a state trust land parcel known as the Jim Creek Forest Block. The sellers were Bear Creek Timber LLC, Cindy’s Cupcakes LLC, J. Jamaw LP, and the Flowson Trust. The state will also gain the owners’ mineral rights to the property.

“This is another important step in our long-term effort to keep Washington’s prime forestland in production,” said Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands. As commissioner, Goldmark chairs the Board of Natural Resources and leads the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

The purchase reflects legislative direction that DNR use funds from land sales to purchase forestland at risk of conversion to other uses. The value of the 290-acre tract was determined by appraisal. DNR will manage the parcel for forest production revenue to the Common School Trust.