From the desk of Jon Snyder
Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee
November 2019
Outdoor Recreation General election recap:
Legislative: Two appointed legislators easily retained their seats: Sen. Lovelett and Rep. Ybarra.
Ballot measures:
State: The passage of I-976 will mean the loss of snowmobile funds for snow parks, loss of state multi-modal funds for bike/pedestrian projects and transit and also local funds for bike/pedestrian and transit projects and could jeopardize programs such Trailhead Direct among other impacts.
Local: There were 16 local ballot measures for parks and recreation and 14 passed, a success rate of 87.5%, the best percentage I’ve seen in the four years I have been keeping track. The two failed measures were in Camas (a community center with a parks component failed with 90% opposed) and on Shaw Island (formation of a new parks district failed with 80% opposed). Most of the successful measures were from smaller parks and recreation districts that renew levies every one to two years, but also included Shoreline and East Snohomish County.
National: In Texas Proposition 5, a constitutional amendment which dedicates future sales tax revenue on sporting goods (NOT a new, increased sales tax) for parks, wildlife, and historical agencies passed with 88% approval.
- Audubon warns climate change could put more than half of Washington bird species at risk
- Wall Street spends millions to buy up Washington State water
- Bike riders and pedestrians are dying. It’s drawing rare bipartisan focus in Washington, D.C.
- Management plan adds 61,000 acres of wilderness area to Colville National Forest
- A hunt for tribal recognition at the U.S.-Canada border
WA outdoor business news:
REI pilots direct shipping with select brands
LOGE Camps is flipping forgotten motels into basecamps for outdoor lovers
Tanner Merrill Joins GEAR AID as the New Supply Chain Planning Manager
Nuun Expands Availability of Nuun Endurance Into Canada
Trail news:
Trailhead Direct Ridership Increased 75% In Second Full Season
Trail riding can bring “Wallets on Wheels” for rural communities
Hunting and Fishing news:
North Cascades Grizzly Proposal Brings Out Hundreds Opposed (And Some In Favor) In Okanogan
Northern Pike in Washington Reclassified at Highest Threat Level
State, tribes, feds prep for mussel invasion
Conflicting chinook seasons on the Snake
WDFW commission puts brakes on plan to remove bag limits on bass, walleye
Governor news:
How protecting orcas starts with tech
Additional news:
“We are Puget Sound.” Les Purce leading the Orca Recovery Task Force
Westport Light golf course proposal packs McCausland Hall
Guest column: Trust and respect on the Upper Columbia
A New Plan to Make Camping in National Parks Worse
State Parks installs parking lot camera at Wallace Falls State Park
California will let college athletes sign endorsement deals. Will Washington follow suit?
State money pours into Spokane-area recreation, conservation projects in 2019
Okanagan County supports public access to French Creek Rd.
More than 11,000 scientists from around the world declare a ‘climate emergency’
Activists protest plan for new Pioneer Square cruise ship terminal
NTSB wants mandatory bike helmet laws. Bike advocates don’t.
The Navy’s Growler jets bring noise to a quiet place: Olympic National Park
Veradale outdoor preschool among those participating in new licensing program
Planning:
Survey on Trailhead Direct bus-to-trails program
It’s Public Comment Season In The P.N.W.: Sea Lions, Wolves, Grizzlies
Upcoming grants:
None this month
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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