News Release 11-007
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:
Virginia Painter: (360) 902-8562
Deb Wallace: (360) 902-8623
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
State Parks will hold public workshop on Mount Spokane ski area expansion proposal
OLYMPIA –
Feb. 23, 2011 –
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces a public workshop on a proposal the agency has received for a 279-acre expansion of the Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park within Mount Spokane State Park.
The workshop is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, in Sub Lounge AB&C (also known as rooms 102, 103 and 104) in building 17 at Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Dr. in Spokane. Participants will learn about the expansion proposal being made by Mount Spokane 2000, the concessionaire that runs the popular ski area on state park land. Comments on the proposal and the land classification for the area will be presented to the State Parks Commission for consideration at its meeting May 19, in Spokane.
The proposal would expand the ski area by 279 acres, into an 800-acre portion of Mount Spokane State Park that currently does not have a formal land-use classification. The land area subject to expansion has been called the Potential Alpine Ski Expansion Area (PASEA) for purposes of discussion. The expansion would include the addition of one ski lift and seven new ski runs. The improvements and any additional expenses would be paid for by Mount Spokane 2000.
The agency is reviewing the proposal and has issued a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requiring preparation of a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) in the event that the Commission authorizes ski area expansion. A 30-day SEPA public comment period will continue through March 16. The proposal and other information concerning the potential expansion can be found online at www.parks.wa.gov/plans/mtspokane2/. Information also is available by calling Deb Wallace, strategic and long-range planning manager, at (360) 902-8623. Public comments may be provided by e-mail to deb.wallace@parks.wa.gov.
Mount Spokane State Park is a 13,919-acre camping park in the Selkirk Mountains, northeast of Spokane. The forested park features stands of old-growth timber and granite rock outcroppings. It typically receives 300 inches of snow in the winter.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission thanks the public for supporting state parks. Donations made to State Parks through the vehicle license tab renewal program will keep state parks open in the 2009-2011 budget cycle, provided adequate revenues are collected. 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 97-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Washington State Parks is now on Twitter at WaStatePks_NEWS and YouTube at WashingtonStateParks.
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