From the desk of Jon Snyder
Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee
April 2019
MID-SESSION LEGISLATURE BUDGET UPDATE: As of last Friday all six budgets are out (operating, capital, and transportation for both chambers). Go here to see the all the budgets, clicking on the links will get you to the summary documents and actual budgets:
http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/archives/index_budgetsp.asp
- Your Public Lands Are Killing You
- Gillnet controversy:
Both sides on gillnet issue dig in
Director’s Statement on Columbia River Basin Salmon Management Policy
State will allow gillnets in lower Columbia this fall
- Study Finds Racial Gap Between Who Causes Air Pollution And Who Breathes It
- Climate change forces wildlife to change migration routes in Northwest
- How Outdoor Recreation Supports Rural Economic Development
2019 Legislature news:
Agencies, organizations call on legislators to champion Mount St. Helens safety
Lawmakers, stop underfunding Fish and Wildlife, the agency that protects our lands and water
What would a clean fuel standard mean for WA gas prices?
Washington’s Proposed Transportation Package Is the Opposite of a Green New Deal
Could this be the last time you change your clock?
Fixing culverts could save the orcas — but who will pay?
WA outdoor business news:
LOGE Camps Rounds Out Its Leadership Team for 2019
Funko To Open Second Retail Location In Hollywood
REI Co-op Marks $100 Million Invested In Local Communities
Actually, the Mega Season Pass Is Killing Skiing
MSR® Reactor® Stove System & DynaLock™ Ascent Poles Receive Awards from Backpacker and ISPO
OLEO Partners with Hayter Communications
UCO Gear’s #TrashTag Project goes viral
MSR® Global Health Technologies Create Lasting Change for Thousands in the Developing World
Mama Bear Moxie: Geocaching is a perfect family activity
Lake Roosevelt fishing guides forced to remove videos following policy change
Trail news:
Group envisions mountain bike park, paved trail from Winslow to Hood Canal bridge
Editorial: Imagine a trail system running from our Washington to that other one
Do wheelchairs belong on hiking trails?
Hunting and Fishing news:
Fishing groups ask Congress to ban “walls of death”
Alaska mine seen as a threat to Pacific Northwest, salmon
Building a seawall? These ‘fish cops’ might come knocking
Additional news:
Pierce County libraries offer an affordable way to check out Washington State Parks
Envision Solar EV ARC(TM) Solar Charging Stations Available at Washington State Park this Spring
‘This is creepy’: In LA, scooters become the next data privacy fight
Tourism spending in King County up nearly 6 percent to $7.8B
Bike League suggests $74B ‘Bike New Deal’ + Why the Feds should dramatically increase bike funding
Washougal bike park back on track
Palouse denied park link grant
Senate Passes Bill to Maintain Nason Ridge Public Access
WA makes it easier for rural towns and tribes to build parks
New Mexico gets a new OREC office with a diverse twist
State gains new protections through public land act
These Concerts Are for Very Lucky Hikers Only
He finds humans ‘too unpredictable’ — so he studies cougars for a living
Packwood State Park Land Could Soon Belong to County
Human-powered ethos driving rapid growth of uphill skiing
Blue Mountains forest plans rejected, called ‘difficult to understand’
‘A mighty oak has fallen.’ Helen Engle, a giant of conservation, has died
If we don’t start investing in our parks, we risk loving them to death
Planning opportunities:
Public input sought on Larrabee State Park trails
State seeks input on proposed rules for fishing guides
Give your input on the RCO recreational assets of statewide significance study
Upcoming grants:
- Apr. 26: Federal Highways Bridge Program applications due to WSDOT Local Programs Division.
- Did you know? USDOT TIFIA Rural Project Initiative loans can be used to construct pedestrian/bicyclist infrastructure
Some information form Grants and Planning came from WSDOT Active Transportation email update, another great resource. Click here if you would like to subscribe to that WSDOT list.

Todd Elsworth is one of the many “Mossy-haired lunatics roaming the dripping peninsulas”, described in “I’m Here for the Weather” by Tom Robbins. As executive director, he works to fulfill our mission to teach the health benefits of nature, promote outdoor recreation, and steward the places where we play.
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