DNR Initiates SEPA Review of Burnt Hill Recreational Trail Plan
Public Open House scheduled October 18 in Sequim

No. 05-128
October 5, 2005
Contact: Princess Jackson-Smith, 360-902-1066, princess.jackson-smith@wadnr.gov    

OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released the Draft Burnt Hill Recreational Trail Plan for public review under the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) on October 4, 2005.

The goal of this planning effort is to build a safe, enjoyable network of trails that meets a local recreational demand, while protecting the environment and trust assets. Trail lengths, parking areas, and overall design are targeting current use levels, rather than an expansion to bring large numbers of people into a destination recreation facility.

Starting in 1998, DNR worked closely with recreational visitor groups, neighbors, state and county agencies, and others, to conduct an inventory and assessment of recreational use and environmental conditions on Burnt Hill, and then compile ideas for a recreational trail system. Many of these ideas are incorporated into the draft Burnt Hill Recreational Trail Plan.

The draft plan and SEPA checklist are available on DNR’s website at www.dnr.wa.gov/sepa .

A vicinity map and a trail system map can be downloaded from http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/adm/comm/nr05_128burnthill_designateuses.jpg  and http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/adm/comm/nr05_128burnthill_map.jpg  .

Due to high interest in this trail plan, DNR has chosen to initiate a 30-day comment period on the draft plan and SEPA checklist. Written comments must be submitted by November 4, 2005 to the DNR SEPA Center at sepacenter@wadnr.gov , or by mail to DNR SEPA Center, Box 47015, Olympia, WA 98504-7015.

Interested public and stakeholders are encouraged to read the draft plan. SEPA comments should focus on potential impacts, both positive and negative, on the natural environment and the built environment. Comments that differ from DNR’s evaluation should include supporting information for the agency to consider. Comments on the plan itself should address the recreational aspects of the trail system and the feasibility of managing the system as proposed.

Open house provides an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback

DNR will hold an open house between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, at Carrie Blake Park in Sequim to answer questions regarding the draft plan and the SEPA process.

The purpose of the open house is to give people the opportunity to fully understand the plan as they prepare specific comments and suggestions for the SEPA checklist. The public will have an opportunity to speak with DNR’s planning staff, region management, and local recreation field staff regarding the draft Burnt Hill Recreation Plan and related topics.

The meeting will not be a public hearing, where testimony is given and recorded. Rather, the open house format will provide an opportunity for an exchange of information. Participants will have the option of submitting written comments at the meeting or sending them to the SEPA Center. During the open house, DNR will staff three information tables, each with two related topics.

Table 1: The Proposed Trail System

• Proposed trail system and parking – Information and discussion regarding proposed trail locations, type of use proposed for trail segments, parking, signing, and other facilities questions.

• State lands management initiatives that link with the trail plan – Information and discussion regarding day-use only and gate location; shooting; garbage; road maintenance and abandonment work (under Forest Practices); timber sales; etc.

Table 2: Managing the Trail System

• General recreation management approach – Emphasis will be on DNR trail standards, adopt-a-trail agreements, and education and enforcement.

• Volunteer opportunities on Burnt Hill – Information about and opportunities to sign up for volunteer efforts, such as trail work, restoration work, Forest Watch, gate management, etc.

Table 3: SEPA Process and Checklist

• Natural Environment – Information and discussion related to earth, water, air, plants, and animals.

• Built Environment – Information and discussion related to noise, traffic and other   elements of the built environment.

Key elements of the plan consider parking, multiple-use trails, and environment

The draft Burnt Hill Recreational Trail Plan is designed to support multiple use recreation, which is already occurring on Burnt Hill. The Department’s Regional Inventory and Assessment indicated a need for a designated recreational facility on Burnt Hill, and an opportunity to define and manage a multiple-use trail system that avoided the more sensitive areas. Those trails that would be retained as part of the designated system would be improved to meet DNR standards, and trail-use parking directed to a trailhead parking area internal to the DNR-managed forestland.

Under the plan, some trails built in the past by users would be closed in order to protect environmentally sensitive areas. Other segments of user-built trails would be retained as part of the designated trail system, but would be brought up to DNR trail standards and maintained by volunteers under Adopt-a-Trail agreements.

In some cases, segments of new trails would be built, also to DNR standards, to connect trails and create loops. In addition, trail users would be directed to a trailhead parking area which currently doesn’t exist.

The draft plan also proposes managing the Burnt Hill block of state trust lands as day-use only recreation which would apply to all public uses, not just those using the trail system. The day-use only approach is designed to curb vandalism, garbage dumping, and other illegal activities, many of which occur at night.

DNR Steward of Lands and Resources

Led by the Commissioner of Public Lands, DNR manages about 3 million acres of state-owned forests, agricultural lands and commercial properties for long-term benefits to current and future trust beneficiaries and residents of the state. Since 1970, management of trust lands has produced more than $5.9 billion in revenue, reducing the need for taxes to pay for public projects and services.

State-owned trust lands are managed to produce income to build schools, universities, prisons, state mental hospitals, community colleges, and help fund local services in many counties and the state general fund. Trust lands provide habitat for myriad native plants and animals, and provide recreational and educational opportunities to more than 9 million people each year. Doug Sutherland is Washington’s 12^th Commissioner of Public Lands since statehood in 1889.