HomeMy WebLinkAbout120-02 - Res. Perkins Coie, LLP Resolution No . 120 - 02
Whereas , the Washington Environmental Council filed a lawsuit on July 12 , 2002 against the
Washington Commissioner of Public Lands, Board of Natural Resources , Lands Steward, and
Department of Natural Resources in Public Trust Forests v . Sutherland, No . 02 -2 -20534 - 8 (King
Co . Superior Ct . ) , and
Whereas , the vital interests of local governments , school districts , rural economics , and rural
communities are threatened by this lawsuit because it seeks to prohibit all logging on DNR trust
lands , and
Whereas , the court or courts reviewing the claims asserted by WEC should be informed that the
injunction requested by WEC in its complaint would cause undue and excessive harm to school
districts , local governments , the rural industry and rural communities , and
Whereas , the American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) has offered to lead a coalition of local
governments , school and hospital districts , and associations in a joint representation as intervenors
and codefendants in the lawsuit, and
Whereas , Mason County has received between $ 700 , 000 and $ 2 , 600 , 000 per year over the last ten
years and is projected to received more than $2 , 900 , 000 this year from logging on DNR trust lands ,
and
Whereas, the AFRC coalition intends to file a motion for intervention not later than August 30,
2002 , now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners for Mason County that Mason County
will join with AFRC and other governmental entities and associations in intervening in the lawsuit.
It is further resolved that the law firm of Perkins Cole , LLP be authorized to represent Mason
County for this purpose .
It is further ordered that a joint representation agreement for this purpose shall be reviewed and
approved providing for legal representation at no cost to Mason County unless later determined to
be in the best interests of Mason County and separately approved . Under the joint representation
agreement, Mason County shall at all times be able to withdraw its participation with reasonable
notice or proceed independently at its discretion .
Adopted and passed this 2 7 day of Au gu s t , 2002 .
Herb Baze , Commissioner Wesle J hnson, Chair iobert Holter, Commissioner
Clerk of the Board : Approved as to form :
Rebecca Rogers Mason County Prosecuting Attorney