OLYMPIA — The Washington auditor’s office says it won’t investigate a Hood Canal land deal between the Navy and the state Department of Natural Resources.
The investigation was requested by two state senators, Democrat Tim Sheldon of Potlatch and Republican Mark Miloscia of Federal Way. They wanted the auditor’s officer to review how the Navy bought a 50-year bedlands easement on the west side of Hood Canal for $720,000 after it was initially appraised at $1.7 million. The easement, signed in July 2014, prevents commercial development along the shoreline.
The Kitsap Sun reports that the auditor’s office declined it investigate because the matter is being dealt with in courts. Thorndyke Resources, a company that planned to build a pier to ship gravel on the land, has challenges pending in state and federal court.
State law requires DNR to get fair market value for the easement.
