News Release 12-058
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director
Media contact:
Eric Watilo: (360) 755-9231
Sandy Mealing: (360) 902-8559
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
Public invited to Kukutali Preserve planning meeting
OLYMPIA –
June 12, 2012 –
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, in partnership with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, will hold a public meeting on June 21 to start a planning process for Kukutali Preserve (on Kiket Island) in Skagit County.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 21 at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street in Anacortes. The purpose of the meeting is to gather public comments regarding the planning and development of low-impact recreational access to Kukutali Preserve while insuring protection of its natural and cultural resources.
Kukutali Preserve is co-owned and co-managed by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. The property lies entirely within the boundaries of the Swinomish Reservation, as established by the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, the Commission and the Trust for Public Land accumulated grants and donations from several entities in order to purchase the property in June 2010.
Kukutali Preserve provides sweeping views toward Deception Pass and Whidbey Island and has a circumference of more than two miles of intact shoreline with native eelgrass that supports bio-diverse populations of shellfish, invertebrate fish and crustaceans. The property has a broad spectrum of habitats, including mixed deciduous and conifer forests, significant old-growth trees, and a “rocky bald” environment with fragile, thin soil that hosts a unique community of native plants. Kukutali Preserve has been deemed by the Tribe and the Commission as excellent for research, habitat protection and limited recreation, as well as environmental education for the visiting public.
Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks.
The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
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