No. 08-156
August 27, 2008
Contact: Patty Henson, 360-902-1023; cell, 360-870-3853
Washington DNR to Launch Statewide Recreation Workshop Series in Issaquah
Public input will help create new vision for recreation
For more information, visit the Sustainable Recreation Work Group site.
OLYMPIA – The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host the first of a series of public meetings about recreation from 6 to 9 p.m. on September 9 at the Library Service Center in Issaquah. Throughout the month of September, DNR is holding nine workshops across the state to gather input from individuals and user groups to help create a new vision for recreation on DNR-managed forestlands, aquatic lands and natural areas.
“We’d like to hear about where people in this state like to recreate and what kinds of recreation activities they enjoy,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland. “We also want to know how easily they can access recreation on state-managed lands. The information people provide will help us continue improving opportunities for outdoor recreation.”
The informal workshops will include discussion topic areas where the public can converse with DNR staff, view maps of DNR-managed lands, and offer their vision for recreation in the state.
DNR staff will compile the information gathered at these meetings and present them to the newly formed Sustainable Recreation Work Group. This group was established by the 2008 Legislature to assist DNR in developing a long-term vision that ensures safe, sustainable and enjoyable outdoor recreation on DNR-managed land.
Meeting dates and locations (All meetings are from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.):
• September 9 – King County Library Service Center, Issaquah (Kick-off meeting)
• September 10 – Sun Valley Restaurant, Okanogan (UPDATED)
• September 10 – Longhouse Educational and Cultural Center, The Evergreen State College, Olympia
• September 11 – Deer Park Library, Deer Park
• September 15 – Hoquiam Library, Hoquiam
• September 15 – Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver
• September 16 – North Olympic Library-Port Angeles Branch, Port Angeles
• September 16 – Burlington Library, Burlington
• September 17 – Grupe Conference Center, Central Washington University, Ellensburg
The Sustainable Recreation Work Group
The 2008 legislature unanimously adopted a DNR proposal to create the Sustainable Recreation Work Group. In the next 16 months, the Work Group will work collaboratively, with citizen input, to develop recommendations to present to the legislature by December 2009. Compatibility with DNR’s trust management responsibilities will be a major consideration in developing this vision.
The Sustainable Recreation Work Group includes members from a variety of areas including:
- Recreation user groups
- State land leaseholders and contractors
- Environmental organizations
- Corporate and community leaders
- Major landowners
- Local, state, federal, and Tribal governments
- Representative of the Governor
- Members of the legislature
For more information about the Sustainable Recreation Work Group, contact Jana Greer at 360-902-1730 or jana.greer@dnr.wa.gov.
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