NEWS17-074
| Media contacts:
Virginia Painter, (360) 902-8562 |
Regular meeting in Westport next week
OLYMPIA – Nov. 8, 2017 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will be asked to establish guiding principles, assumptions and goals for developing a 10-year capital plan.
The action is requested at the Commission’s regular meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at Westport Maritime Museum, 2201 Westhaven Drive, Westport. (Directions.) The Commission’s regular meetings are six times a year in pre-determined locations around the state. Time for public comment is provided at all regular meetings. A full agenda, including information about opportunities for public comment is available at http://parks.state.wa.us/154/Commission-Meetings-Agendas.
State law mandates a long-range approach to capital budget planning and requires state agencies to submit a plan of capital spending for a 10-year period. Agencies then refine their capital budget requests as each two-year financial cycle approaches. The long-term plans identify future needs and propose capital projects to address the needs in accordance with agency strategic mission, vision and goals. State Parks has completed preliminary work toward its 2019-2029 State Parks Ten-year Capital Plan. Adopting formal guiding principles helps ensure that the plan under development is consistent with the Commission’s strategic goals.
State Parks’ 10-year capital budget anticipates an overall need of $625 million and includes historic properties, utility infrastructure renovation, park administrative support facilities, visitor facilities, long-distance trails and more. Key principles under consideration include improving facility condition; increasing operational efficiency; low-impact development and design strategies; responding proactively to effects of climate change; protecting natural features and systems; and treating historical properties and cultural sites according to adopted guidelines.
In other business, the Commission will consider revising two items in Washington Administrative Code.
- Correct a faulty statutory authority to more accurately reflect the funding priorities for grant requests submitted to the Winter Recreation Advisory Committee.
- Permanently adopt an emergency statutory change in alignment with a 2017 legislative action regarding the charging of fees to people requesting copies of public records.
The Commission will hear reports but take no action on the following:
- An update on the City of Kenmore’s progress toward a proposal to improve ballfields at Saint Edward State Park.
- An update on the agency’s current financial situation, including the operating budget and earned revenues; issues related to the agency’s Capital program and lack of a capital budget; and the 2018 supplemental budget.
Commission work session
A work session is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Westport Maritime Museum, 2201 Westhaven Drive, Westport. Commission work sessions are open to the public; however, there is no opportunity for public comment, and no formal action is taken at work sessions.
The work session agenda includes several updates and presentations on topics that include agency human resources, information technology and communications programs; Recreation Conservation Office and the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan; No Child Left Inside grant program; Saint Edward Seminary rehabilitation; 10-year capital plan policy considerations; agency strategic initiatives; Commission planning meeting for 2018; and a Legislative proviso on the recreation fee system.
Commission tour
Commission members will gather at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Westport Marina, for a tour of Grayland Beach, Twin Harbors and Westhaven state parks.
Commission members also will join city and county leaders at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, to attend a ceremonial lighting of the Grays Harbor Light Station, also known as Westport Light, 1020 W. Ocean Ave., Westport.
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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.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at http://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.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
Washington Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6384