Outdoors Notebook | Usage fees to take a hike in '07
Outdoors enthusiasts will have to dole out a few more bucks to camp and launch watercraft at Washington State Parks beginning next year.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission approved its first general fee increase for camping, overnight facilities and watercraft launch services since 2003.
The increase is intended to catch the agency up to market rates and to help close the gap between costs and rising inflation. The new fees will remain in place through 2009.
Confirmed reservations already in the system will not be charged the new rates.
Camping will cost $17 for a standard campsite, and $24 for a full-utility site. The watercraft launch fee goes to $7.
Some parks have an additional popular-destination fee of $2 instead of the $1 charged previously, and some premium sites in the system are an additional $5.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 120 parks and several recreation programs, including trails, boating safety, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Wildfires to limit hunting access
Hunters planning a trip may find access closed or restricted in some areas because of wildfires.
"Hunters and others recreating outdoors need to check access restrictions before heading out, be prepared to use camp stoves rather than open fires and take extra caution with anything that could start a fire outdoors," said Mark Quinn, the state Fish and Wildlife lands division manager.
Despite the recent cooler weather, there are several large wildfires burning, and fire danger remains high throughout the state.
State Fish and Wildlife is banning open fires on 830,000 acres of department-owned and managed land, including wildlife areas and water-access sites. The open-fire ban likely will extend at least through this month.
Some popular wildlife areas, like the Oak Creek Wildlife Area near Yakima, are posted for no open fires through Oct. 15.
Hunting seasons for black bear and cougar began Aug. 1 in most of the state, and forest grouse, dove and early archery deer hunting seasons opened this past Friday.
The open-fire ban is consistent with fire restrictions set by the state Department of Natural Resources, which evaluates fire risk for much of the state's public lands.
Quinn said all hunters, but particularly those planning to participate in the popular Sept. 15-25 high buck hunt in wilderness areas of north-central Washington, should be aware of specific closures.
Managers of the Okanogan and Wenatchee national forests have closed the eastern portion of the Pasayten Wilderness Area from the Chewuch Trail [510] east to the forest boundary.
Additional trail closures are in place west and south of that location, and all will remain in effect until further notice.
For details on access closures: www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka/fire/closure or call the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest at 509-826-3795; Methow Ranger District at 509-996-4000; or Tonasket Ranger District at 509-486-2186.
Those planning to recreate outdoors can check conditions at 800-323-BURN or www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html.
Notes
• The Edmonds Coho Derby is Saturday at the Edmonds Marina. Biggest coho wins $2,500. Cost is $25, and is limited to 450 anglers. Details: 425-743-9505 or www.psasnoking.com.
• The Northend Bass Club meeting is 7 p.m. Monday at the Crystal Creek Café, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway [Canyon Park] in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.
• The Washington Butterfly Association is hosting a free presentation titled "Status and Future of Washington Butterflies," 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Center for Urban Horticulture at 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle.
John Fleckinstein will speak on the current status of butterflies in Washington. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.
• The Edmonds Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla offers two public boating courses in the Lynnwood area starting Sept. 12.
The first class is Boating Skills and Seamanship, which covers safety, boat handling, maintenance and more. The second, Advanced Coastal Navigation, covers all phases of navigation and piloting and prepares boaters for longer trips. Details: 425-823-2375 or e-mail boatclasses@hotmail.com.
• Join in this summer on the Washington Trails Association Wildland Discovery Hike Series. Next: Friday, Dark Divide Hikes on banks of Lewis River. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.
• State Fish and Wildlife is hosting meetings to get comments on the scope and direction of a new management plan currently being developed for Washington steelhead.
The first phase of that plan, scheduled for completion in January, will focus on steelhead populations in Puget Sound, where NOAA-Fisheries has proposed listing natural runs as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The report, "Oncorhynchus mykiss: Assessment of Washington State's Anadromous Populations and Programs," is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/papers/steelhead/.
The next meeting is from 6-8 p.m. on Friday at the Mount Vernon Public Utilities Office, 1415 Freeway Dr.
Written comments will be accepted through Sept. 26. Mail to: SEPA/NEPA Coordinator, Regulatory Services Section, WDFW Habitat Program, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia 98501.
Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com