An open house is helping kick off efforts by the state Department of Natural Resources to develop a recreation plan for the Snoqualmie corridor.
The department wants a plan that will serve as a guide for the future of recreation on 53,000 acres of state trust lands, natural areas and other lands managed by the agency in eastern King County.
The Snoqualmie corridor offers tremendous opportunities for outdoor recreation for Puget Sound residents, said a department news release. In the last 20 years, the agency has increased the amount of land it manages in the corridor. Some are state trust lands – working forests – and the other lands form the largest network of natural areas in the state.
The corridor runs from the east edge of Issaquah along Interstate 90 to the western edge of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Among the department lands in the corridor are Tiger Mountain and Raging River state forests; natural resources conservation areas such as Rattlesnake Mountain, Mount Si, Middle Fork Snoqualmie and West Tiger Mountain; and DNR-managed lands like Echo Glen.
The first part of the open house will be a brief presentation by agency staff on the planning process. Following that presentation, the public will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas about recreation in a “listening station” format.
The main focus of this effort is to develop recreation management plans for Raging River and Middle Fork Snoqualmie, two newer DNR-managed properties. Raging River State Forest was purchased in 2009 to replace state trust lands previously transferred out of trust status. The Middle Fork Snoqualmie land was designated a natural resources conservation area in 2009.
The corridor also includes recreation lands managed by federal, state and local entities. Although planning will not include activities on those lands, this strategic planning process will look at ways to improve coordination with managers of many of these lands, the news release said.
During the last few months, agency staffers have been gathering information related to recreation in the Snoqualmie corridor. This information will help to guide planning for future recreation opportunities. In addition to the open house, the public will have numerous other ways to be involved throughout this process.
The comprehensive recreation planning process is one tools the department uses to manage sustainable recreation on state trust lands and other lands, such as natural areas. Recreation planning helps ensure public safety, environmental protection and access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
open house
What: Snoqualmie Corridor Recreation Plan open house
When: 7-9 p.m. Jan. 18
Where: Snoqualmie Middle School, Commons Room, 9200 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie
Directions: g.co/maps/nbdtm
Learn more
For more information about the Snoqualmie Corridor Recreation Plan, visit: tinyurl.com/7xz7d56
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