Washington State Parks News Releases

News Release 12-103

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 Commission regular meeting next week; Fort Worden governance, Kukutali master plan on agenda

OLYMPIA – Nov. 28, 2012 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will consider entering negotiations for co-management at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend and a master plan for Kukutali Preserve, a unit of Deception Pass State Park.

These topics and others will be considered at a regular Commission meeting scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Monroe Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. S.E., Monroe. A full Commission meeting agenda is available online at www.parks.wa.gov/agency/commissionmeetings/. Time for public comment is provided at all regular meetings, which are scheduled seven times a year at pre-determined locations around the state.

The Fort Worden governance agenda item is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Commission will consider the potential of a portion of Fort Worden State Park being managed by the Port Townsend Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority (PDA). The conversation regarding options for the optimal future management of Fort Worden State Park has been under way since 2004. The Commission in 2007 adopted a vision for Fort Worden as a center for life-long learning by providing a broad array of meaningful experiences for a diverse audience of visitors. In 2008, the Commission directed staff to pursue making Fort Worden State Park a Life-Long Learning Center with the assistance of a non-profit partner. A public meeting to gather additional comment on the issue in advance of the regular Commission meeting is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29 at Fort Worden State Park, Commons Building, 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend.

The Commission also will consider adoption of a master plan for Kukutali preserve, a unit of Deception Pass State Park. When the property was acquired in June 2010, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and State Parks signed intergovernmental agreements to co-own and co-manage Kukutali Preserve for conservation and research, public education and limited recreational use. The Kukutali Preserve Management Board, consisting of three members appointed by the Tribe and three members appointed by State Parks, makes management recommendations and oversees day-to-day operations by the property.

The Management Board developed an interim management plan that was approved in May 2011, then recently moved on the proposed master plan when funding from an original acquisition grant became available for the work. Key recommendations of the proposed master plan for Kukutali Preserve include constructing limited day-use facilities such as trails, a vault toilet, non-motorized boat landings, picnic area and small parking lot as funds become available. Public access will be day-use only, through pre-arranged tours, in order to protect fragile plant communities and ensure stewardship of the unique property.

Also on the agenda, the Commission will consider approving the sale of excess timber at Brooks Memorial State Park north of Goldendale. The excess timber is the result of tree cutting and thinning to help ensure visitor safety and forest health following damage from wildfires in recent years. Any proceeds in excess of sale costs will go to support the agency’s resource stewardship efforts.

The Commission will hear several reports, including interpretive program plans to increase visitation and interest; the agency’s capital construction program; marketing update; and Aquatic Land . The Commission will have a work session from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Monroe Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. S.E., Monroe. The public is invited to attend, however no public testimony is heard or formal Commission action taken at work sessions.

Topics for the session include an agency budget update; co-management of The Cove recreation site with Grant County PUD; partnership work with Avista Corporation; Winter Recreation program rules; possible co-management agreement at Frenchman Coulee on a climbing and Ice Age Flood area; review of the State Parks 2014 fee schedule; long-distance trails program; legislative update; and future governance at Fort Worden.

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