Phase One: the State worked with NGOs to acquire funding to help purchase the land and plan for sustainable management of the forest.
Phase Two: the State entered into a unique public-private partnership which required the private sector partner to manage the entire property according to environmental standards closely monitored by the public sector. In return, the private sector entity was allowed to harvest a sustainable level of wood products from specified portions of the lands. The revenues from the timber harvest generated the necessary income leading to revenue for all parties.
For the initial land acquisition that ultimately led to the partnership, the State provided $16.5 million in order to purchase half of the 58,000 acres. The non-profit public interest group, acting on behalf of the philanthropic foundation, purchased the remaining 29,000 acres for $16.5 million with the intent to later gift the land to the State. Since the initial phase in development of this partnership covered only this initial 29,000 acres provided by the non-profit group, a private environmental firm was contracted to manage the property in conformance with the State's environmental standards and regulations. The terms of the final contract for this PPP between the State and the private company regarding the entire 58,000-acre forest tract were negotiated based upon the success of the PPP for management of the initial 29,000 acres. The unique aspect of this PPP, however, was that it was self-funded. The Sustainable Forest Management Plan included identification of areas in the forest where wood products could be harvested without negative environmental impact. The private partner managed the harvesting operations, the revenues from which pay for the contract and provide additional funds to both the State and local governments. In addition, controlling the continuation of timber harvesting activities addressed local communities' economic concerns.