West Tiger Mountain Natural Resource Conservation Area will expand by 97 acres.
The area includes Tiger, Squak and Cougar mountains, and ranges from 470 feet above sea level at Tradition Plateau to 2,948 feet at the summit of West Tiger Peak. The conservation area includes old-growth cedar and fir forests, and important habitat for cougar, bobcat, elk and owls.
Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark on Dec. 22, 2016, signed executive orders to keep about 3,400 acres of Hood Canal coastline and 100 acres of forest in the central Cascades forever protected.
"These decisions are the culmination of years of research and consultation," said Goldmark, who leads the Washington Department of Natural Resources. "With the strong support of local communities, conservation groups, tribes, the U.S. Navy and other partners, we can now preserve these unique natural areas for present and future generations of Washingtonians."
Under the expansion order, 3,393 acres will also be added to the Dabob Bay natural area, which conserves mature coastal forests, streams, fish-spawning areas, eelgrass beds, native Olympia oyster beds and nearshore tidelands.
"This transfer helps protect sensitive ecological areas and recreation access while still ensuring revenue for our region’s social services and schools," said Jon Hoekstra, executive director of the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. "Balancing open spaces, recreation, and strong economies has always driven our vision for the Greenway. DNR has been leading the charge with outside-the-box solutions."