Campfires prohibited in some Washington state parks

Update August 15, 2014:
DNR to permit campfires on some state lands --
Burn ban adjusted on DNR-protected lands west of the Cascades
OLYMPIA – With recent rain and current weather models predicting more moderate conditions in western Washington, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is adjusting the current statewide burn ban. Recreational campfires will be permitted in established fire rings in official campgrounds on DNR-protected lands west of the Cascade crest, the agency announced today. Click here to read the bulletin. 

Washington State Parks news release, August 12, 2014:
Open fires and use of briquettes prohibited until further notice to help prevent human-caused wildfires during hot, dry season

OLYMPIA – August 12, 2014 – Washington State Parks announced today that campfires in all state parks will be prohibited until further notice to help prevent human-caused wildfires during the hot, dry season on both sides of the Cascade Mountains.

The prohibition on campfires in state parks complies with the announcement Monday by Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which notified the public of a ban on all outdoor burning on lands protected by DNR, through Sept. 30. That agency has fire protection responsibility for all but a few state parks. Prohibiting open fires and campfires in all state parks is intended to minimize public confusion and cooperate in DNR’s effort to prevent wildfires.

DNR has said that significant demands are being placed upon fire suppression resources from regional and statewide firefighting efforts.

Campers in state parks will be allowed to use devices that allow for control of combustion, including:

• Propane and liquid gas stoves appropriate for camping and backcountry use
• Propane barbecue devices that do not use solid briquettes
• Propane or pressurized white gas warming devices that have a shield or base
• Lava rocks or lava logs may be used in propane grills and barbecues
• Solid fuel citronella or other candles in a metal bucket or glass container 

Click here for wildfire danger and outdoor burning regulations in Washington state from the Department of Natural Resources.

Washington's Discovery Pass use expanded to two vehicles

A single, Washington state recreation land pass now can be used on either of two motor vehicles, thanks to new legislation signed March 30 by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

The change takes effect immediately. Holders of previously issued annual passes may enter a second vehicle license number on their existing pass.

Pass transfer between two vehicles also applies to vehicle access passes (VAPs) issued free with purchases of annual fishing and hunting licenses for access to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recreation lands and water- access sites.

"The Discover Pass is a great way to experience some of Washington’s most extraordinary places and this legislation makes it even easier to visit our state parks and recreation lands," said Gov. Chris Gregoire. "Our parks, some of the best in the world, rely on user support and this small investment to enjoy our public lands is well worth it."

THE DISCOVER PASS was created by the 2011. It's required to park motor vehicles in state parks and other state recreation lands in an effort to make up for reductions in state general fund support for state recreation lands.

It costs $30 a year and provides vehicle access to millions of acres of state recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, WDFW and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). One-day passes are available for $10 but are not transferable. The pass is sold through state vehicle-licensing outlets, at state parks, at some retail businesses and through WDFW’s recreational licensing system, known as the Washington Interactive Licensing System (WILD). Transaction and dealer fees may apply.

So far, revenue from Discover Pass sales has been less than half of original projections. Projected sales through the end of 2011 were $19.38 million, while actual revenue for the period was $8.2 million. "Customers have asked for transferable passes, the agencies sought this change and the Legislature has responded," said Don Hoch, State Parks director. "Customer survey results indicated that pass transferability between two vehicles could boost support for the Discover Pass."

The new legislation also allows for future development of new types of Discover Pass products and provides flexibility in how they are implemented. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

Geocaching with a twist at Washington's Cama Beach State Park

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is inviting the public to participate in a geocache about the history of Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island.

LeRoy's Park multi-cache provides interpretation of historical events that took place in the area that is now Cama Beach State Park. Participants will search for the four-part multi-cache, with the first three caches leading to the final cache location. The geocache includes interpretation of the 1905 logging camp and 1934 fishing resort relics that are still found in the park today. Cama Beach State Park is located at 1880 S.W. Camano Drive, Camano Island.

Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger hunt that uses Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)-enabled devices to locate hidden containers, called geocaches. A geocache is placed at a set of defined coordinates, called a waypoint, which is a physical location participants can locate using GPS navigation technology on a smart phone or other capable device. Geocaching combines modern navigation technology with the outdoors for a family-friendly game for all ages. For details on the LeRoy's Park multi-cache, visit www.geocaching.com and enter the describing number GC3BGCQ.

To establish a geocache in a state park, written permission from State Parks is required prior to placement. For rules about placing geocaches in state parks, please visit http://www.parks.wa.gov/activities. Participating in an established geocache does not require written permission. Geocaching opportunities are available in state parks across Washington.

Cama Beach State Park is a 433-acre historic fishing resort with more than 6,000 feet of rocky beach. The park provides sweeping views of Saratoga Passage, Whidbey Island and the Olympic Mountain Range. The area now known as Cama Beach State Park was used for centuries by Native Americans for fishing and hunting. It was later developed into a fishing resort, popular with families for more than 50 years.

In Washington (the state) imagination may help keep parks open

In Washington State, the legislature is mucking its way through another special session, attempting to deal with a multi-billion dollar cash shortfall. On the chopping block? State parks. It was no great news, as the park system had already been put on notice that they'd be knocked off state budget support in 2013.

Since that time, various funding "alternatives" have been floated. Forcing park visitors to buy an access pass was one of the "finger in the dike" ideas that leaked. First, state residents weren't too keen on buying a pass to get into a so-called publicly owned park. Then when they found the pass was good for only one vehicle, two (or more) car families got sore.

The "Discover Pass" plan is far from going like a house afire. Sales of the pass are far, far less than imagined, and certainly far from taking care of the parks' needs. Now with the legislature back in Olympia, scuttlebutt has it the lawmakers may move to allow the Discover Pass to be used in more one car. It may help, but as a for-sure life support method, it's not expected to make it.

So the state parks folks are talking creativity. Here's a novel approach--reduce fees when use is lower, enticing campers to come in during the off-season and the off-times of the week. If football stadiums can have sponsors, why not parks? How about, "The Budwiser Visitor Center at Twin Harbors Beach" as an example? "Alternative" camping might see a push in growth. Where parks have rental structures like yurts and cabins, non-RVing folks sometimes push up the revenue stream.

Washington's park system is a gem. With a little imagination, maybe locking the gems away behind the bars of "Closed for Lack of Funding" won't be necessary.

Lake Wenatchee State Park, Washington State Parks Photo

Time to start planning for Washington camp host positions

It's not too early to start planning for a camp hosting position next summer in a Washington State Park. Some positions are open year round as well.

The host program offers volunteers the opportunity to stay and have fun in beautiful and diverse park settings while gaining experience in park operations and visitor services.

Hosts represent state parks by greeting the public and helping set the tone for a pleasant stay. They assist park staff and perform a variety of tasks depending on the park and the type of host assignment. Hosts receive free camping and hookups in exchange for performing these duties. A typical host assignment is 30 days. This may be extended up to 90 days at the park manager’s discretion. Hosts must provide their own RV and camping equipment. Hosts, whether couples or individuals, should enjoy working with the public, have the desire to accept new challenges and possess the willingness to learn about Washington state parks.

Learn more at the Washington State Park website.

Washington's "Discover Pass" rescue ride may not be enough

When the Washington State Legislature decreed that their state parks must do more to be self-sustaining, they created a new program called "Discover Pass." In order to access many of Washington's public lands, including the state parks, folks are in many cases being required to pony up more money for access passes. Read that $35 a year, or $11.50 a day. At the time, the lawmakers also provided "bridging" funds to help the park system wean itself over to being totally self-sustaining.

A few problems have shown up with the system, the greatest of which is the economy. Recently Washington's governor called for yet another special legislative session to try and sort out a projected revenue shortfall of nearly one and a half billion dollars. Agencies are being asked to come up with plans to chop their budgets by 10%. With state parks already mandated into being self-sustaining, lawmakers are looking at chopping off some of those bridge funds.

"Discover Pass is not bringing in the revenue so far that we hope it will," says Washington Senator Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island. "We still have to do some tweaks. The reality is, we have to raise money from the Discover Pass to keep our parks open. We are not going to get rid of the Discover pass."

To try and make the Discover Pass more accessible, the state now makes it possible for residents to buy the pass when they renew their motor vehicle tabs. That's salt in the wound to some. The Discover Pass is tied directly to a given vehicle. Buy the pass for your pickup truck used when hunting on public lands, you can't move it to your motorhome to go make a visit to a state park. At $35 a pop, some residents are seeing red.

State legislators say that wasn't their intent, and want to fix the problem in the next session. A few weeks ago a group of lawmakers met and signed off a letter to two state land agencies, asking them not to write tickets to folks who "transfer" their pass from one vehicle to another. But news reports indicate that the letter evidently hasn't had the desired effect. One law enforcer for the state's Fish and Wildlife Department told the Spokesman Review newspaper, "We’re not being advised (by superiors) to not enforce the law, let’s put it that way."

Stevens Canyon Road closed in Mt. Rainier National Park

Due to extensive roadway embankment stabilization and subsurface compaction grouting efforts, Stevens Canyon Road is closed between the gate located just west of the Grove of the Patriarchs to just east of the popular Backbone Ridge viewpoint through the 2011-2012 winter season. Visitors will be able to access the Reflection Lakes, Box Canyon and Backbone Ridge areas and adjacent trailheads from the west during the fall 2011 closure.

During the closure, visitors can access the Paradise area only from the southwest via the Nisqually Entrance at the east end of SR 706. Visitors traveling from the east via SR 410, SR 123, and/or US 12 who wish to visit the Paradise area can detour via SR 7 beginning in Morton on US 12 and ending on SR 706 at Elbe. (US 12 may have delays due to road work, for more information check the Washington State Department of Transportation WASDOT).

The park service notes that while the construction, closures, and traffic delays present an inconvenience, the rehabilitation work will not only improve the driving surface of the roadway, but ensure its longevity.

Fort Casey State Park closed now, will soon offer electric hookups

Western Washington's Fort Casey State Park will soon offer electrical hook-up campsites. But for now, stay away: the campground is closed for the upgrade. It is expected to reopen Oct. 20, 2011. The day-use areas will remain open during the construction.

The project, which includes the installation of underground electrical and water line repairs will upgrade 14 standard campsites to electrical hook-up campsites.

“We have had numerous requests from our park visitors to provide this amenity,” said Park Ranger Ken Hageman. “The hook-up sites also will allow year round use of the campground.”

Fort Casey State Park is a 467-acre marine park located near Coupeville on Whidbey Island and features a lighthouse and sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Campsites are available first come, first served. A coast artillery post features two 10-inch and two 3-inch historic guns on display. The park features 10,810 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound (Admiralty Inlet), and includes Keystone Spit, a two-mile-plus stretch of land separating Admiralty Inlet and Crocket Lake.

The park campground has one restroom and shower. The maximum size RV is 40 feet. Campsites are located next to the Keystone ferry terminal, which makes walking on the ferry for a visit to pretty Port Townsend a snap. Camping fees range from a primitive site for $12 a night to $27 for partial hookups. The dump fee is free to campers, $5 for others.

Kopachuck trees memorialized

Last June we wrote about the dilemma facing Washington State Parks' officials when a tree disease was discovered in Kopachuck State Park. The disease made it hazardous for folks to stay in the park, as diseased trees could fall without notice. What to do? Close the park until the situation sorted itself out, taking a period of years, or cut the diseased trees down?

Park officials took the public pulse and decided it was better to cut the trees down and reopen the park. But those majestic evergreen trees are close to the heart of the people, and so one official with feelings went a step farther than just saying, "Fire up the chain saws!" State Parks Commissioner, Pat Lantz, felt a stirring within herself and called up an artist friend and told her of the impending demise of Kopachuck's trees.

“When Pat told me about the situation, the image that came to my mind was of intertwined roots, of all the trees’ roots connected together,” Robin Peterson told a reporter from The Kitsap Sun. “I knew I wanted to bear witness to this sad process, even though it’s a natural thing.” Peterson contacted other artists and they put together a gathering of art folks to record the giant trees before the arrival of the woodsman and his ax.

The artists have put together an exhibit of their work entitled, “Intertwined — Requiem for the Trees,” that will be shown at Gig Harbor, Washington's Harbor History Museum. We'll update you when the dates for the show are released.

UPDATE 9/15/2011: Robin Peterson tells us that the show dates are set. "Intertwined, Requiem for the Trees" exhibit will be held at the Harbor History Museum September 30th through October 17th. A reception will be held on Friday, September 30th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

photo: kitsapsun.com