Notice of Recreation Rule Adoption

[Grumpy]

Notice of Recreation Rule Adoption

December 22, 2008


Dear Interested Party:


Subject: Adoption of the rules pertaining to Public Access and Recreation on lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources

Thank you for your interest and participation in the Department of Natural Resources’ work to update the rules pertaining to recreation and public use on DNR-managed lands, 332-52 WAC. This letter is to notify you that the department has scheduled the adoption of the proposed rule language for the upcoming meeting of the Board of Natural Resources on January 6, 2009.

The rule-making process has included many opportunities for public involvement and input. The department established an advisory committee made up of representatives from many recreation groups, other state agencies and members of the recreating public. The department met individually with various stakeholders including recreation organizations, local recreation focus groups, federal agencies and tribal officials. There were eight public meetings held around the state at the beginning of the rule-making process to gather input on the topics and issues that should be included in the update. The department held nine public hearings in June 2008 at various locations in the state. Our activities recently included a publication of a revised draft on October 10, 2008, and a follow-up public hearing November 5, 2008, in Issaquah. The comment period for the most recent proposed language ended November 10, 2008.

We have received many valuable suggestions about ways to improve the language of the draft proposed rules. We have reviewed those suggestions and many changes and improvements have been made to the proposed rule language since it was first drafted. The public input to the rule-making process has concluded except public comment may be given at the board of natural resources meeting in January. The final proposed draft language will be available for viewing on the department’s website at: http://dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/R ... /Home.aspx .

We anticipate presenting the proposed rules to the Board of Natural Resources on January 6, 2009. We are notifying you regarding the date of the meeting at which they will consider approval:

Board of Natural Resources Meeting

January 6, 2009

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Natural Resources Building, Room 172

1111 Washington Street S.E.

Olympia, Washington 98504



To view the agenda for the meeting, please go to: http://dnr.wa.gov/Publications/em_bc_bn ... agenda.pdf . For questions or more information, please contact Mary Coacher at 360-902-1430, e-mail: mary.coacher@dnr.wa.gov or Doug McClelland at 206-920-5907, e-mail: doug.mclelland@dnr.wa.gov.

Sincerely,

Pene Speaks, Assistant Manager

Asset Management and Protection Division

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Courtesy of Clay Graham