Proposed Update of Washington DNR Rules is Available for Review
No. 08-103
May 29, 2008
Contact: Princess Jackson-Smith, 360-902-1066
Public Hearings Will Be Held Around The State In June
OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in the process of revising Chapter 332-52 of the Washington Administrative Code, pertaining to recreation on DNR-managed lands. The rules provide basic standards for public safety and natural resource protection when accessing and recreating on these lands.
The department invites the public to participate by reviewing the draft rule language and attending one of the public hearings to be held in June in the following locations: Mount Vernon, Port Angeles, Hoquiam, Issaquah, Vancouver, Ellensburg, Olympia, and Okanogan.
The public review and comment process is consistent with the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Under SEPA, agencies are required to consider any potential negative environmental impacts before approving or denying a proposal. To review the draft language, visit www.dnr.wa.gov and enter “WAC Update” in the search box.
Noting that the rules for recreation and public access on DNR-managed lands were last updated 36 years ago, Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland said, “The language and rules have been revised to reflect the way we recreate now. Our commitment is to provide the broadest possible public access and enjoyment of these lands. The key is balancing public access for enjoyment, generating income for trust beneficiaries, and protecting the environment.”
In addition, the department initiated HB2472, a bill unanimously passed by the Legislature, creating a working group to make recommendations on a vision for the future of recreation on DNR-managed lands. “These rule revisions will complement the working group?s efforts and policy considerations,” said Sutherland.
The rule update addresses such topics as sanitation, traffic, firearms and target shooting. New language has also been drafted regarding roads and trails, campground use, water recreation facilities, and anchorage. The focus of the revision is to provide information in a clear and understandable way. The question and answer format is designed to help the reader find the desired information with ease.
The department initiated the recreation rules revision project in 2004 with a series of public workshops to gather comments on what should be included in the rules, and issues in the existing rules that need analysis and clarification. DNR conducted public meetings around the state to hear from a wide variety of recreational users and to identify needed changes. An ad hoc advisory committee with members representing a range of recreation interests worked with staff to provide input on the needed updates.
For information on the rule-making process, go to www.dnr.wa.gov and enter “rules for public access” in the search box.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
All Hearings Begin At 6 P. M.
Tuesday, June 10
Mount Vernon
Best Western Cotton Tree
2300 Market Street
(360) 428-5678
Thursday, June 12
Port Angeles
Senior Community Center
328 E 7th St, Port Angeles
(360) 457-7004
Tuesday, June 17
Hoquiam
Timberland Library
420 7th Street
(360) 532-1710
Tuesday, June 17
Issaquah
King County Library Service Center
Public Meeting Room (2A/B)
960 Newport Way NW
(425) 369-3200
Wednesday, June 18
Vancouver
Red Lion at the Quay
100 Columbia Street
(360) 694-8341
Wednesday, June 18
Ellensburg
Student Union and Recreation Center, 137B
Central Washington University
1007 N. Chestnut Street
(509) 963-1111
Thursday, June 19
Olympia
Phoenix Inn Suites
417 Capitol Way N, Olympia
(360) 570-0555
Thursday, June 19
Okanogan
Sun Valley Restaurant
1 Appleway Road, Okanogan
(509) 422- 2070
Wednesday, June 25
Spokane
Hilton Garden Inn
9015 W Sunset Hwy
(509) 244-5866
DNR - Land Manager And Protector Of Natural Resources
DNR, led by Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland, manages more than 3 million acres of state-owned trust forest, agricultural, range lands and commercial properties that earn income to build schools, universities and other state institutions, and help fund local services in many counties. In addition to earning income, trust lands and the conservation lands the department manages help to protect habitat for native plant and animal species, clean and abundant water, and offer public recreation and education opportunities statewide.
DNR is steward of more than 2.4 million acres of aquatic lands - the beaches and lands under Puget Sound, the coast, navigable lakes and rivers. They are managed to protect the fish and wildlife, provide commerce and navigation, and access for all the people of the state.
Tags: accessing, campground, department of natural resources, dnr, ellensburg, hoquiam, issaquah, mount vernon, okanogan, olympia, port angeles, public access, recreating, recreation, roads, trails, vancouver, wac, washington, washington state