OLYMPIA – July 9, 2015 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public on a tour to learn about forest-health thinning to take place within Seaquest State Park in the fall.
The tour is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Seaquest State Park, 3030 Spirit Lake Highway in Castle Rock. (Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/au0w7) Participants should park and meet at the group camp covered shelter. A Discover Pass will not be required for those attending the public information tour.
During the tour, staff from State Parks will provide an overview of the thinning harvest plan, including what trees will be removed, why the trees are being removed and what the agency hopes to accomplish. Following introductory remarks, staff and participants will walk to the area to be harvested. Walking distance will be one to three miles, depending on the interest of participants.
About 60 acres of forest are scheduled for variable-density thinning in the 475-acre park. The current stand of trees is a second growth monoculture plantation of mostly Douglas-fir about 15 to 18 inches in diameter and approximately 50 to 60 years old. Thinning is intended to create a more natural forest setting, improve the forest’s health, provide for greater biodiversity and enhance visitor experience.
Thinning is expected to begin in September. DNR will issue a bid for timber harvest contractors. State Parks expects to earn minimal to moderate income from the sale of the timber. The harvest is more of a prescription for forest health, rather than a revenue opportunity. Any revenue from the harvest will be reinvested in natural resource stewardship projects.
More details about when the thinning will take place and how it might affect visitors will be posted on the Seaquest State Park web page at: http://www.parks.wa.gov/581/Seaquest. For more information, contact Thomas Fisher, park ranger, 360-274-8633 or thomas.fisher@parks.wa.gov.
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
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Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Media contacts:
Thomas Fisher, (360) 274-8633
Toni Droscher, (360) 902-8604
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
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