Weyerhaeuser is bumping up the fee for access on its St. Helens Tree Farm by $10 this year, and starting a separate permit system for the lands formerly owned by the Longview Fibre Co.
Last year was the first year Weyerhaeuser charged for access to its lands in Southwest Washington, a move generally unpopular with hunters and hikers.
The company’s move is part of a region-wide trend of private timber companies charging for access.
Similar to last year, St. Helens Tree Farm permits will provide access to 325,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser land around Longview, though 52,000 acres of the company’s land remains accessible without a permit. The permits will be required from Aug. 1 through Jan. 31, 2016. This year, the cost will increase from $150 to $160.
St. Helens Tree Farm permits will go on sale June 1 through July 31. This year, 5,000 St. Helens permits will be offered.
Last year, the company initially offered 15,000 permits, which according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife was slightly higher than the number of hunters in the permit area in 2013.
However, only 3,300 permits were actually sold last year, according to Weyerhaeuser spokesman Anthony Chavez. Information about how many hunters took to the woods last year aren’t available yet from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
This year, Weyerhaeuser also is offering six parcels in the St. Helens Tree Farm under lease, compared to 11 such areas last year. Camping is allowed on these areas, but not in the $160 permit areas.
The company is continuing its policy of offering free public access on road corridors to state lands, such as its 1900, 4100 and 4200 roads, and the 3100 road that leads to the state Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area.
Weyerhaeuser has separate permit systems for Northwest Oregon.
Columbia Timberlands — Last year, Weyerhaeuser offered free non-motorized access to its Columbia Timberlands, the former Longview Timber that Weyerhaeuser purchased in 2013.
The Columbia Timberlands includes many parcels in Cowlitz County, east of I-5, and land in Wahkiakum and Pacific counties, and in Oregon, totaling 83,400 acres.
This year, a permit will be required for those lands July 1 through Dec. 31.
On the Columbia Timberlands, 450 motorized permits costing $200 are currently available. Such permits allow overnight camping.
