HomeMy WebLinkAboutWDFW response from JCPRABTo: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife February 4, 2022
From: Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (JCPRAB)
Reference: JCPRAB Comments to the WDFW Ten Year Recreation Strategy (“the Plan”)
Dear Sir or Madam,
The following comments are from the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
(the Board). These comments are based on the Board’s in-depth knowledge of parks and wildlife
areas within Jefferson County. This letter was approved by the entire board on February 16,
2022.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to comment on the comprehensive plan for recreation
on WDFW lands. This document has major significance for our park properties in Jefferson
County as they relate to WDFW lands. Jefferson County Parks and Recreation has one park that
is adjacent your lands: Irondale Beach County Park (Chimacum Creek Tidelands Area), and one
park that we lease from WDFW: Lake Leland County Park. We would like to address specific
objectives and how our coordination could prove invaluable to both WDFW and Jefferson
County Parks and Recreation.
Of importance in the Plan is the information under Objective 6.11, Partnerships and objective
6.13 master contracts. Specific to the Chimacum Area, we share the shoreline. Jefferson County
Parks and Recreation owns and manages Irondale Beach Park (A National Historic District) and
WDFW owns and manages the parking area, and the area north of the parking lot. Specific topics
that we believe are important to the management of this ecological area and to ensure reduced
confusion with conflicting regulations between our agencies, we propose:
A. Currently the County provides essential maintenance for both the WDFW Chimacum
Tidelands and Irondale Beach Park by providing portable toilet services, trash pickup,
dog waste bags, and parking lot grading, parking lot improvements, and mowing around
the parking lot. Given the costs to support these services, we would welcome developing
an agreement with WDFW under the context of chapter 6 of the Plan for sharing these
costs.
B. WDFW acquired the Chimacum Creek Tidelands, and the parking lot, in part by a road
vacation granted by Jefferson County. The road vacation specified that since the county
was granting open public land to WDWF, public access should never be restricted in the
future. The Discover Pass requirement is a restriction and should not be required in the
shared parking lot, or in the Chimacum Creek Tidelands.
C. Specific differences in our regulations need to be amended so that the users of both areas
follow the same regulations, again to reduce conflicts.
1. In paragraph 3.15 the plan discusses Dog Presence on WDFW lands Under the
Rulemaking discussion, you reference aligning your regulations with other agencies
such as Washington State Parks. Washington Parks requires that dogs be leashed on
their Parks. Jefferson County Parks and Recreation also requires leashing of dogs on
Irondale Beach Park (and all of our parks).
2. In paragraph 3.16 the plan addresses Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Your requirement
is that should an individual wish to operate a UAS, they apply for a permit. Our
County regulations require Special Use Permits and they are only granted to Federal,
State, County or other special organizations (such as research).
3. We are very excited about the WDFW Ambassador Program and would like to learn
more about it as it pertains to the volunteer programs of Chimacum and Lake Leland.
We would like to explore this more.
D. Regarding Lake Leland, we want to thank the WDFW for your incredible contribution in
completing the dock and vault toilet at the waterfront portion of Lake Leland County
Park. These structures are tremendously appreciated by the visitors and us. The full scope
of the project was not completed due to funding challenges. The existing shoreline permit
and construction permit also allows for an accessible bank fishing platform, new park
furniture, and a new fishing trail. The permitting process for this shoreline project was
extremely difficult, and time consuming. The permit is still valid and could be used to
complete the project. This is an easy win for WDFW to use RCO funds to complete a
project.
E. We are excited about this “10 Year Recreation Strategy”, specifically in aligning
regulations to reduce the complexity and frustration of the visitors. Open communications
with your agency would be a tremendous objective for both our organizations.
Comments Written By Tim Rensema, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board President.
Approved by a Majority of the Board
_____________________________________ __________________________
Tim Rensema, President Date