The Washington State Department of Natural Resource (DNR) will conduct a public hearing in North Bend on November 10 to provide information and receive comments on the proposed expansion of the Mount Si and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Areas (NRCA).

Expansion of the existing boundaries of the Mount Si and Middle Fork Snoqualmie NRCAs by about 7,119 acres would allow acquisition of privately owned lands and cooperative management of public lands. DNR acquires lands only from willing sellers, based on market price determined by an independent appraisal.

An NRCA boundary expansion imposes no change in land-use zoning, development code requirements, or any other restrictions on landowners. It is an administrative action to designate where DNR will work with willing property owners to expand the state-owned natural area. Privately owned lands within the boundary only become part of the conservation area if they are sold to DNR.

DNR will provide information and obtain public comments relating to this proposed NRCA expansion at a Hearing for the proposed expansion of Mount Si and Middle Fork Snoqualmie NRCAs, 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Snoqualmie Ranger District Conference Room, 902 SE North Bend Way, North Bend.

DNR will make a record of the public testimony given at the hearing. Comments and testimony will assist Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark with the decision to either approve or disapprove an expansion of the Mount Si and Middle Fork Snoqualmie NRCAs.

DNR is soliciting written comments about the proposed NRCA boundary expansion by 5 p.m. on November 24, 2014. Send written comments to: Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Kelly Heintz, 950 Farman Avenue North, Enumclaw, WA 98022; or email with the subject line, “NRCA Boundary Proposal” to: kelly.heintz@dnr.wa.gov. For additional information about the proposal, contact Kelly Heintz at (425) 466-6145.