Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Planning
Project summary
Washington State Parks is currently working on the Classification and Management Planning (CAMP) process for Gingko Petrified Forest State Park. State Parks started the CAMP process in January 2019; however, planning was put on hold in June 2021 when it was determined that additional environmental analysis was necessary. In August 2023, State Parks secured funding to hire PBS Engineering and Environmental to perform an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Recreation Drive Trail, located in the northern portion of the park.
- Location: Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
- Estimated start date: January 2019
- Estimated end date: July 2025
- Budget: Environmental Impact Statement will cost $124,850
The Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) planning process is comprised of four (4) Stages.
Stage one - Identify issues and concerns
The purpose of this stage is to understand what is important to the park community, what to change or save in the state park. This helps us get a sense of the range and type of issues that need to be considered through the planning process.
Stage two – Exploring alternative approaches
At this stage, the planning team suggests potential alternative approaches to address the various issues and concerns raised by people in stage one. No preferred alternative is established; rather this is an opportunity to understand the range of possibilities.
Stage three – Preparing preliminary recommendations
The best ideas from the alternative approaches developed in stage two are combined into a preliminary plan in this stage. The plan includes recommendations for use and development of land, changes to property boundaries, and ways to address issues raised during the planning process. Another important document completed at this stage is the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklist that describes environmental impacts of the recommendations.
Stage four – Preparing final recommendations
At stage four, final adjustments are made to recommendations and submitted to the seven-member Parks and Recreation Commission for approval. The public is encouraged to attend the Commission meeting and provide testimony or to provide written comment.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
State Environmental Policy encourages productive and enjoyable harmony between humankind and the environment. It promotes efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere, stimulates the health and welfare of human beings, and enriches the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the state and nation. Chapter 43.21C RCW.
This EIS will analyze the impacts of partially or fully limiting vehicular use along Recreation Drive Trail to recreational, cultural, and ecological resources found in this area of the park.
You can provide comments and feedback via the online public comment form.
Community participation
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - Public Scoping Meeting
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, as SEPA Lead Agency, has determined that the proposed Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) for Recreation Drive Trail in Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park is a non-project action that may result in probable significant adverse impact on the environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). The EIS will be prepared in accordance with the SEPA Rules and Guidelines (WAC 197-11). This notice is a request for comments on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement.
The Scoping Notice and supplemental information can be downloaded at Washington State Parks SEPA page. The complete documentation including attachments are also published on Department of Ecology's website as 202500635 - WA State Parks and Recreation Commission.
EIS Scoping Meetings
A public open house Scoping meeting will be held Feb. 27, 2025, from 5 - 7 p.m. in the Main Room at the Kittitas County Historical Museum, 114 E 3rd Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926.
A virtual public scoping meeting will be held March 13, 2025, from 5 - 6 p.m. Join the live Teams event here.
Public Comment
Due to the changes in scoping meetings the scoping comment period has been extended to 5 p.m., March 24, 2025.
Please provide comments by mail postmarked no later than March 24, 2025 to:
Hannah JB Ross, Environmental Planner
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Rd SW
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
Or by Email dated no later than 5 p.m., March 24, 2025 to: ginkgoEIS@parks.wa.gov
The services, programs, and activities of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need special accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact the park planner Lauren Bromley at (509) 665-4323 or Lauren.Bromley@parks.wa.gov. Accommodation requests should be received at least five business days prior to the meeting to ensure availability. Please provide 7-day notice for requests to receive information in an alternative format and for ASL/ESL interpretation requests.
Public Scoping Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
CAMP Process Meetings
Stage 1 Public Meeting - Central Washington University – Feb.13, 2020
Stage 1 – Public Comments
Stage 2 – Public Meeting – Virtual – Dec. 8, 2020
Stage 2 – Public Comments
- WDFW comment
- Kittitas Co Board of Commissioners comment
- Kittitas Co. Public Lands Advisory Committee comment
- Redacted Public comment
- Chuck and Lana Comment
- Kittitas Field and Stream comment
Maps and Descriptions – Alternatives Themes of Land Classification
Kittitas County Update – Oct. 16, 2023 – PowerPoint Presentation – Planning Update to Kittitas County