From the desk of Jon Snyder
Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee
February 2020
- Discover Pass changes considered in Olympia:
Who Doesn’t Like Free? Legislature Ponders Washington State Park Entry Fees
Legislation to discard Discover Pass ‘dead’
- New state studies on hiking and biking:
Economy, Environment and Health Benefit from Trails, Two New Studies Show
Trails mean business for cities, state studies say
- Support for the WDFW budget:
Bevy of groups representing outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes request funding for WDFW
WDFW finds allies for budget push
WA outdoor business news:
Airway Heights based climbing manufacturer Omega Pacific to close
Pope resources sold to Rayonier
Want to sell on Amazon? Businesses must weigh pros, cons
Outdoor Research Appoints Design, Marketing Directors
This company has a solution to perishable carbon composites
Nikwax Founder Nick Brown Wins “Outdoor Oscar”
Governor news:
Hunting and Fishing news:
Raise the gold standard for salmon and orca
New fee on commercial fishing guides raises concerns
An experimental fish farm in Florida may pave the way to privatizing federal waters
Damage from ocean acidification found in Dungeness crab shells
Trails:
Palouse to Cascades trail report to legislators seeks input from Adams County landowners
Mountain bike trails coming to Port Gamble
Additional news:
Study finds Washingtonians among the most physically fit
Panel recommends steps to improve outdoor recreation in Oregon
Former Idaho fish and game commissioners fear for the future of salmon
The real problem with the NTSB’s mandatory bike helmet recommendation
Cities Need To Rethink Micromobility To Ensure It Works For All:
Privatizing State Parks Can Save Them — or Wreck Them
State ferry ridership declined in 2019, fast ferries see an increase
Out of sight, illegal marinas grow into hazard on Snohomish
Middle Fork Road severely damaged by recent landslide; closure expected for extended period
Rep. Stokesbary revives effort to allow college athletes to receive fair compensation
How Paris became a cycling success story—and built a roadmap for other cities.
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy seeking to secure land to protect trails
Utah Wanted All the Tourists. Then It Got Them.
Boater Safety Or Gov. Overreach? Bill Would Require Anglers, Others Aboard Small Craft To Wear PFDs
COLUMN: Dog feces are no laughing matter
Do wilderness therapy programs really work?
Planning:
News: public invited to help with recreation planning at Ginkgo Wanapum
WDFW seeks public comments on 2020-2021 hunting seasons
The Northwest Universal Design Council invites you to our first event of 2020, a Forum on Universal Design and Pedestrian Wayfinding! The Forum will take place on Thursday, February 27, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will feature an expert panel and a discussion on designing wayfinding systems and tools to meet the mobility needs of all. This forum is FREE. Registration is encouraged but not required. To register, please visit the EventBrite registration page at https://bit.ly/2GyMSgR. Light refreshments will be provided. Hearing loop, real-time captioning, and assisted listening devices will be provided. For other disability accommodations or accessibility information, contact me at 206-684-0654 or as soon as possible.
What are the most important actions King County can take with partners over the next 30 years? Should we focus on improving the health of existing forests or preserving additional forestland? Should we plant trees in areas where there is lower tree cover or should we plant more trees near rivers and streams? We invite you to take this brief survey to share your ideas for how we ensure that future generations continue to benefit from healthy, vibrant forests: https://publicinput.com/6101/
For more information on the 30-Year Forest Plan: www.kingcounty.gov/forestplan
King County Parks wants feedback on night riding and e-bike access on their trails: Take this survey by February 14 to share your preferences on extending trail and park hours to allow trail use after dark and E-bike access to King County’s Regional Trails.
The Upper Yakima Basin Project is seeking input via their mapping survey. There is still time to map your knowledge of the recreation resources in the Teanaway Community Forest and Upper Yakima Basin!
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
February 13, 2020 Grants webinar State Recreation and Conservation grants (sign up here)
WSDOT 2020 City Safety Grants Require Local Road Safety Plans
Cities must have a local road safety plan grounded in systematic safety principles to be eligible to apply to WSDOT for approximately $25 million in federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds. The deadline for application is April 16, 2020.
A local road safety plan is a data-driven analysis and prioritization of an agency’s roadways for traffic safety that addresses fatal and serious injury crashes and systemic safety needs. WSDOT has crash data available, including an analysis of pedestrian and bicyclist serious injuries and fatalities, and we provide technical assistance to support development of a plan.
Contact: Ed Spilker, City Safety and Traffic Programs Manager,
Jon Snyder
Outdoor recreation and Economic Development Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee
Office: 360-902-0488 Mobile: 360-584-3804
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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