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

1. Your Public Lands Are Killing You
2. 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

3. Study Finds Racial Gap Between Who Causes Air Pollution And Who Breathes It
4. Climate change forces wildlife to change migration routes in Northwest
5. 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.