Gales Creek, Logging, News

Gales Creek-area schools, fire districts receive more than $1.5 million from timber revenue in 2022

More than $1.5 million in revenue generated from timber sales in the Tillamook State Forest in 2022 went to local districts in Gales Creek and surrounding areas in fiscal year 2022, according to data from Washington County. 

In total, the county collected $13,349,296.81 from the forest, some of which was then dispersed locally, while some remained in county hands. 

According to information obtained by the Gales Creek Journal, the Forest Grove School District, which also serves students in Gales Creek, Glenwood, Hillside, and Dilley received $1,278377.10. 

Forest Grove Rural Fire Protection District, serving Gales Creek, Glenwood, Verboort, Dilley, and other unincorporated areas outside of Forest Grove, received $230,287.18. Forest Grove Rural has one station in Gales Creek and is served by firefighters and administration from Forest Grove Fire & Rescue while maintaining an independently-elected board of directors.

Other districts that saw checks were the Banks Fire District, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Portland Community College, the Port of Portland, the Vernonia (a portion of which lies in western Washington County), Banks, Gaston, and Hillsboro school districts, and the Northwest Regional Education Service District.

In total, timber sales in the Tillamook State Forest and nearby forests generated $30.5 million for taxing districts in Washington, Tillamook, and Columbia Counties in fiscal year 2022, the Oregon Department of Forestry said. 

The state manages more than 357,000 acres of forestland spanning portions of western Washington County and nearly half of Tillamook County, and a separate tract in Columbia County administered by ODF’s Forest Grove District. 

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Chas Hundley is the editor of the Gales Creek Journal and sister news publications the Banks Post and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.

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