Washington State Parks News Releases

News Release 12-012

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

State Parks has public information meeting on necessary tree work at Moran State Park

OLYMPIA – Feb. 3, 2012 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces a public meeting Feb. 15, to discuss forest-health issues at Moran State Park and to seek public comment on proposed treatments to deal with tree diseases in specific areas of the park.

The meeting will be from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the Retreat Center Dining Hall at the Camp Moran Environmental Learning Center in Moran State Park. The park is at 3572 Olga Road, Olga, on Orcas Island.

Forest health issues have been identified in the area near the park’s retreat center and in the park’s primitive campground area.

Park staff have noticed a gradual but growing pattern of trees dying around both of these areas of the park. In consultation with Department of Natural Resources pathologists, staff identified tree pathogens – particularly a disease known as laminated root rot – in portions of these sites and in the adjacent forest. This pathogen can cause trees to fall with little or no warning, potentially posing significant risk to visitors, staff and facilities.

State Parks has identified the need to remove trees on approximately 12.5 acres within and around these developed park landscapes and is seeking public comment on the proposed treatments.

Anyone who is unable to attend the meeting may provide comments and receive additional information by contacting the park directly by phone, (360) 376-2326 or by email, Moran@parks.wa.gov.

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 98-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Support state parks by purchasing your 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.

Washington State Parks is on Twitter at WaStatePks_NEWS and YouTube at WashingtonStateParks.

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