From the desk of Jon Snyder
Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee
May 2019
LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP: The dust is still settling on the final operating budget which had some good things and some things that didn’t quite make it through for outdoor rec, but one important priority was fully funded–$1.5M for the No Child Left Inside grant program. In the capital budget most of the Governor’s priorities made out well including an increase to WWRP ($85M), $3M for Nisqually State Park, and three new projects on the Palouse to Cascades trail, including the Beverly Bridge. As for legislation below is a selected list of bills that passed and bills that didn’t:
Rec-related bills that passed:
1092 – Reimbursement increase for Metro Parks Tacoma commissioners
1436 – Defining and registering snow-motorcycles or “snow bikes” and directing funds to the winter recreation program
1449 – Declaring last Saturday in September “State Public Lands Day”
5148 – Allowing for pink to be used in addition to orange for hunting safety gear
1953 – Removing the requirement for a Discover Pass in addition to a Sno Park pass a some state-owned winter recreation sites
5723 – Strengthening penalties for traffic infractions against vulnerable users
5710 – Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council
1516 – Facilitating WDFW training of hunting dogs for wildlife management
2044 – Deannexation from overlapping parks districts
1499 – Allowing city-only PFDs to run recreational facilities
1846 – Clarifying the use off-road vehicle monies
Bills that failed to advance this session:
1708 – Hunting and fishing license increases and new discounts and Columbia River endorsement
5099 – Recreational target shooting areas
1986 – Electric Bicycle tax breaks
1061 – State Clam
5613 – Road vacation/body of water
2122 – Rec equipment & apparel tax
1028 – ATVs on county roads
HOTLIST
- Final Capital Budget Includes $85m for WWRP
- Washington hunting, angling fee increase fails; WDFW faces $7 million deficit
- Eric Artz, Dan Nordstrom and Paul Fish: Rec tax proposal poorly crafted
- Orca legislation:
Can Washington save salmon without removing dams?
State allocates $750K to study removal of Snake River dams
WA outdoor business news:
Sudden closure of outdoors retailer Ascent Outdoors and Ascent Cycles shocks employees and customers
Tariffs Hurt American Outdoor Businesses, And How
49 Degrees North sells to Silver Mountain affiliate
REI reports more sales income and members but also higher costs and still needs a CEO
Governor news:
2019 legislative session wraps up with big wins in climate, health care and education
Trail news:
This August, Vote to Ungap the Map of Regional Trails
Shuttle service to popular hiking trails returns for 3rd year
Hunting and Fishing news:
Fish and Wildlife documents a wolf pack west of the Cascades for the first time
RMEF Project Now in Public’s Hands
Pink is the new orange: Legislature adds ‘hunter pink’ to hunters’ safety options
Will limits on fishing free up salmon for starving orcas?
Pink could be safer for hunting. Will anyone wear it?
Science focuses: Smarter fish, better mud
‘I want salmon back in Idaho.’ Simpson seeks bold action after $16 billion spent on recovery
Additional news:
Amid delayed projects, SDOT proposal would remove 34 bike lanes from near-term work plan
Forks Aquatic Center can’t use timber sales revenue to fix building
Legislature won’t ban orca-watching boats in Puget Sound
Recreation Northwest launches public health campaign on Whatcom Parkscriptions Day
Geoducks are the clam our state should celebrate
The vigilante shaming influencers for bad behavior in national parks
Washington lawmakers are done this year. Here’s what they passed — and didn’t — in 2019
Smith Reintroduces Legislation to Enhance Healing and Recovery for Veterans
Moab is drowning in tourists, and Utah is making Grand County spend millions a year to invite more
Wow, even traffic has become a partisan issue in Washington state
Yakima team offers new opportunities for mountain bikers
Group sues to stop Mt. St. Helens area drilling
The Blackfeet Nation is trying to open its own national park
Birding Is Booming. So Where Are the Black Birders?
Olympic medal winning cyclist is homeless in Seattle
Planning opportunities:
Take the WA State Active Transportation Plan Survey
WDFW creates new wildlife rehabilitation advisory group
WDFW seeks your participation in Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Plan
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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