Washington Recreational Access, Critter Habitat Projects Receive Funding

Washington anglers and hunters, and fish and wildlife will benefit from $67 million in outdoor recreation and habitat conservation grants announced by the state Recreation and Conservation Office today.

Among the projects winning funding are a new boat launch lane and boarding floats at Lake Wenatchee, acquisition of 861 acres of huntable forest land in Klickitat County, conservation easements on 3,200 acres of ranchlands in Douglas County for wildlife habitat and continued farming, and acquisition of 1,200 acres to protect and enhance elk habitat and public access near Mount Saint Helens.

There’s also money for a new fishing pier at Rainbow Lake in the Wooten Wildlife Area, hand-carry boat launch on the Duwamish River at Tukwila, redevelopment of the White Bridge ramp on the Wynoochee River, new pull-thru RV campsites at Lyons Ferry Marina on the Snake River, and restoration of a fishing access site and stream channel at Cougar Lake in Okanogan County.

“This investment in our communities is critical,” said Megan Duffy, RCO director, in a press release. “It provides more spaces for people to enjoy the outdoors and helps protect the natural environments that make our state unique.”

The projects, including photos and site plans, are detailed in this PDF.

“All of these projects help keep Washington a place where people want to live, tourists want to visit and businesses want to locate,” Duffy added. “And the money they spend recreating supports Washington’s economy and provides jobs.”

Grant funding is distributed around the state via a competitive process, according to RCO.