From the desk of Jon Snyder 

Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee

February 2019

Here’s my monthly round-up of interesting WA state outdoor recreation news. 

1.      Federal government shutdown ends, outdoor recreation impacts continue:

Frustration is mounting outside the gates of Mount Rainier as Trump’s shutdown drags on

‘Nonessential’: The federal shutdown’s most unusual victim is one of the Northwest’s best-kept secrets

Government shutdown likely to delay Skagit steelhead fishery

‘Nature doesn’t wait for politics’: A furloughed biologist’s shutdown worries

Atop Mount Rainier, digging out from the government shutdown means epic snow plowing

Steelhead permit writers scrambling to make up time

As shutdown ends, rural Washington considers life without feds

Editorial: Leaving National Parks open during shutdown is ill-advised

2.      WDFW Fish-Hunt Fee Hike, Other Bills Introduced In Olympia
3.      President Trump Nominates David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Interior (outdoor organizations respond)
4.      The Great American Rail Trail Runs Through Washington State:

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy launches campaign to build trail from Seattle to DC – UPDATED

The Push to Build a Coast-to-Coast Trail for Cyclists and Pedestrians

The Great American Rail-Trail Is on the Way

5.      Happier campsite reservations: What to know about the new Washington State Parks reservation system

WA outdoor business news:

Boating and fishing make a splash ahead of the 2019 boat show

Women Are Not Treated Equally in the Outdoor Industry

Portland Outdoor Brand Poler Closes Without a Word

Indigitous Agency Achieves Amazon Advertising Accreditation

Governor news:

In Inslee’s State of the State, climate dominates

‘It was heaven’: 50 years ago, Ingraham, with future governor Jay Inslee, dominated Washington hoops

Trail news:

This Couple Created a New Thru-Hike in the Northwest

New Trail Connections Bridge Recreation Gaps in the Valley

One Step Closer to Finishing the East Lake Sammamish Trail

Hunting and Fishing news:

State of Salmon in Watersheds 2018 (RCO report)

State’s new report shows salmon still declining: Recovery projects funded at only 16 percent of estimated need

Bi-partisan bill would end gillnetting

Headwaters mineral withdrawal would prevent adverse effects (Washington Fly Fishing Club)

Three Washington bills deal with cougars, hounds

Man pleads guilty to 15 charges related to poaching ring

Razor clam dig cancelled due to government shutdown

Additional news:

Step on up: Getting fit on Snohomish County’s public stairways

No Child Left Inside grant featured on q13 Healthy Living

Poll: After 2018’s smoke and dead orcas, voters want environmental action

Lawmaker pitches target-shooting areas on some state-managed lands

Health Impact Assessment for a legislative proposal to have year-round Daylight Savings Time in WA State

EIS for system of Columbia, Snake dams sped up

Fate of Tramp Harbor dock is in question

Healthy Living: State offering $1.5 million to get kids outside Plan knots together carbon fee, gas tax and new US 2 trestle Washington’s bold plan to save its orcas What killed Washington’s carbon tax? State-wide effort to replace aging climbing equipment had a banner year in 2018 Editorial: Transporting jetty rocks by highway was ill considered Owners of Dewatto Bay tideland property take state to court Vancouver Lake faces another foe, milfoil State agency works to build shooting range Forgotten State Park Land in Packwood a Haven for Locals Return to Mount Kennedy Film – Feb 19 Libraries Check Out Discover Passes in Pierce, Spokane and Skagit Counties How a crumbling dam in the Enchantments could change our understanding of wilderness Low helmet usage reported among Seattle bike-share users doesn’t necessarily mean more head injuries Study on tearing down Snake River dams is a waste of taxpayer money, says letter to governor

Planning opportunities:

WDFW seeks public participation in Scatter Creek Wildlife Area planning

WDFW seeks public comment on the Blue Mountains Wildlife Areas Plan

• Clark County RTP Open for Public Comment until Feb. 25.
• Email with feedback on Tacoma’s dockless scooter/bikeshare program
• Willapa Hills Trail/SR 6 crossing survey from State Parks

Upcoming grants:  

No Child Left Inside Grants Due 4/1/19

Environmental Justice Small Grants Program

USDOT TIFIA Rural Project Initiative loans

Health and Climate Solutions: 2018 Call for Proposals (up to $350K) (ends 2/8)

• Feb. 15: EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program applications due
• 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.

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Jon Snyder
Outdoor recreation and Economic Development
Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee
Office: 360-902-0488