From the desk of Jon Snyder 

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

January 2020

1. DNR state forest policy in the news, collaboration and lawsuits:

Multi-agency effort spawns giant forest recreation push

Skagit County files lawsuit of timber harvest on state lands

Environment groups, logging interests and communities across Washington sue over state’s plans to sell timber

2. U.S. Supreme Court will not take up Boise’s controversial homeless camping case (local parks)
3. He’s been shot at, his fish stolen. All because he exercises his tribal treaty rights in Skagit Valley
4. Why are more pedestrians and cyclists dying on Washington roads?
5. America’s deteriorating national parks must be saved, says Washington’s Norm Dicks

WA outdoor business news:

Mountain Gear closing after 37 years (Spokesman)

Mountain Gear is closing after 37 years in business (SNEWS)

Report: Black Ball Ferry Line contributes millions to Port Angeles economy

Governor news:
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee: Want to Fight Climate Change? Experience What We’re Fighting For

Inslee Proposes Fish-Hunt Fee Increase, Bringing Columbia Endorsement Back

Hunting and Fishing news:
Editorial: State fish, wildlife agency in a hunt for funding

Copper versus salmon: Why an Alaska mine matters in the Northwest

Some land owners concerned by proposed WDFW land purchase

Washington hooks fishing guides for more info

Spokane group on verge of acquiring property along the Grande Ronde

Trails:
Important News For The Colville National Forest (mountain bike trails)

Additional news:
Paul Fish: Keep backcountry roadless area protections throughout the West

King County Council approves controversial winery, brewery ordinance

Hiking Wheelchair With Northwest Roots Opens Up Outdoor Lifestyle To People With Disabilities
Selah, school district discuss who should pay for tennis, basketball court maintenance

$1 transit: Yakima Transit confident routes to aquatics center, SOZO, are efficient and cheap but council concerns remain

The Forest Service wants you to stop going in the ice caves (Snohomish County)

Scooters would be allowed in bike lanes, but not on sidewalks, under Seattle proposal

Per-mile Washington gas tax moves forward

Public Lands, Outdoors Recreation Score Wins In Budget Deal (Congress)

Wash. state deeply divided over tearing down Snake River dams, says Inslee’s $750,000 study

WSU researcher aims to find out if outdoor preschool yields health benefits for kids

How yurts helped save Oregon state parks (Oregon State Parks)

‘It means a lot to us’: Community members oppose Kenmore’s Saint Edward athletic field project

New state law requires drivers to move over for cyclists, pedestrians

A great decade for Spokane cyclists

Seattle to drop speed limits to 25MPH

Planning:

WDFW seeks comment on draft recovery plan and periodic status review for the Mazama Pocket Gopher

Grants:

Centralia Coal Transition grants (due 3/31/20)

New round of State Recreation and Conservation Office grants have deadline in 2020, starting May 1st

EarthLab launches second round of Innovation Grants: Do you have a collaborative and impactful project idea related to pressing environmental challenges? Apply to the EarthLab Innovation Grants Program. Through this program, EarthLab seeks to invest in teams of academic and community partners that pursue innovative ideas to motivate change. All disciplines at UW are encouraged to apply: https://earthlab.uw.edu/grants/ (Intent letters due January 10)

 

Jon Snyder
Outdoor recreation and Economic Development Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee
Office: 360-902-0488   Mobile: 360-584-3804