OLYMPIA – Aug. 24, 2017 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold an open house to inform the public about the agency’s plan to re-classify 40-acres of land at Mount Spokane State Park. The reclassification would make it possible to relocate the park’s maintenance compound to a more appropriate site, as well as provide additional protection to the park’s resources.
The meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. (Directions)
The new maintenance compound site, also known as the Ridgetop, is located south of the park’s entrance road (State Route 206) near Linder’s Ridge. It is currently classified as Resource Recreation, which does not allow for maintenance facilities. State Parks planning staff will recommend that the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission consider reclassifying this site as Recreation, which would allow for the compound, at the Commission’s next meeting on Sept. 28.
Land re-classification and relocation of the shop involves a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) public review. The SEPA documents will be posted on the State Parks website by Friday, Sept. 1, at http://bit.ly/ParksSEPA. The deadline for public comment on SEPA is Friday, Sept. 15.
More information and definitions of the different land classifications are here: Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 352-16-020.
Why does State Parks need to relocate the maintenance shop?
The maintenance shop compound currently is located downstream from Burping Brook. In August 2008 during heavy rains, the brook overflowed its banks, undermining the concrete foundation of the compound’s sand shed and eroding State Route (SR) 206. After the flood event, short-term repairs were made to the compound and the road, but a longer-term solution was needed due to the likelihood of future flood events.
The Ridgetop is considered a more appropriate site for the maintenance compound because it lies well outside stream and wetland buffers. The site is at a low elevation, and it is close to the park entrance and existing utility sources. The most significant drawback to the location is that some trees will need to be cleared. However, there will be a net gain of 33 acres that will be re-classified from Recreation to Resource Recreation, which emphasizes resource protection.
How to submit comments on the SEPA documents:
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Attention: Jessica Logan, Environmental Program Manager
PO Box 42650, Olympia WA 98504-2650
Phone: (360) 902-8679
FAX: (360) 586-0207
Email: jessica.logan@parks.wa.gov
For more information about the maintenance compound relocation project, contact Michael Hankinson, Parks Planner and Project Lead, 360-902-8671 or michael.hankinson@parks.wa.gov.
About Mount Spokane State Park
One of Washington’s largest state parks, Mount Spokane offers year-round recreation opportunities and hundreds of miles of trails for running, hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and Nordic skiing. The nearly 14,000-acre park also includes an alpine ski area, eight campsites and a fire lookout that can be rented as an overnight accommodation. For more information about Mount Spokane State Park, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/549/Mount-Spokane
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
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Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
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