Press Release
February 19, 2025
Comment period open, community invited to attend Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park open house
Media contact
| Name | Sarah Fronk |
|---|---|
| Department | Communications |
| media@parks.wa.gov | |
Olympia — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission welcomes the community to attend an open house on Feb. 27 to discuss ongoing planning for Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park.
State Parks is continuing work to create a Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) for the park. It was determined that the CAMP for Recreation Drive Trail may have an impact on the environment. Because of this, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. The EIS will determine the appropriate classification of land within the Recreation Drive Trail corridor and determine what recreation uses should be permitted within it.
The EIS process includes an opportunity for other agencies, Tribes and members of the public to provide comment on the scope of this work. This is a legally driven process with specific requirements for comments:
- For comments to be considered, they must be submitted during the established comment period: Feb. 20-March 13, 2025.
- Comments must focus on alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant adverse impacts and licenses or other approvals that may be required.
Comments can be submitted to ginkgoEIS@parks.wa.gov or via mail to:
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Hannah JB Ross, Environmental Planner
1111 Israel Rd
Olympia, WA, 98504-2650
The public open house is an opportunity to learn more about planning efforts and how to submit official comments for the EIS.
Park information
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park is the location of nationally significant petrified trees. It also provides recreational opportunities for camping, picnicking, swimming, guided hikes and boating access to the Columbia River. The park has an interpretation center with displays, videos and staff that help tell the history behind the petrified forest and the Ice Age floods.
The focus of the EIS is on the Recreation Drive Trail, which runs four miles from Recreation Drive to the northern park boundary and follows the top of Jackknife Ridge.
Open house details
What: Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park open house
When: Feb. 27 from 5-7 p.m.