Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Planning

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.