DNR transfers land to Stillaguamish Tribe for salmon restoration
Published 1:30 am Monday, September 22, 2025
EVERETT — The State Department of Natural Resources announced on Thursday that it’s transferring three state trust land parcels along the Stillaguamish River to the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians for long-term salmon recovery efforts.
The three parcels cover a combined total of almost 70 acres along the stretch of the Stillaguamish River between Oso and Darrington and include floodplain and channel migration zones — areas where the river is expected to naturally move into over time.
“We’re excited, it will go toward complimenting the work the tribe is already doing to recover salmon habitat, and we’re grateful for continuing to collaborate on this type of work with DNR and Commissioner [Dave] Upthegrove,” said Kadi Bizyayeva, vice-chairwoman of the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians. “We’re really excited to continue the forward momentum.”
Bizyayeva is also the tribe’s fisheries director as well as commissioner of the Northwest Indian Fisheries.
The state agency had discussed the transfers for years, but in 2024, a change in state law allowed the department to directly transfer state trust lands to federally recognized tribes like the Stillaguamish Tribe.
“Nobody has more experience protecting salmon habitat along the Stillaguamish River than the Stillaguamish Tribe,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove in a statement. “By transferring this property to the Tribe, we are leveraging that experience to strengthen the habitat of salmon and ensure the sustainability of these vital landscapes for future generations.”
State trust lands are managed by the Department of Natural Resources, but are different from other publicly managed lands because the agency is legally obligated to produce revenue from the land for designated beneficiaries like K-12 schools, state universities, prisons and various local services.
The transfer benefits both the Stillaguamish Tribe and state department because, according to the state, the parcels were difficult to manage due to their location and accessibility, meaning the state divested from land that wasn’t lucrative while supporting salmon restoration efforts. However, the state will get $174,000, the market value of the land, to purchase replacement properties to fund beneficiaries.
Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; eliza.aronson@heraldnet.com; X: @ElizaAronson.
Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.
