||| FROM WA STATE PARKS AND RECREATION |||
OLYMPIA – Jan. 20, 2021 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its next regular meeting virtually on Jan. 28.
At the meeting, the Commission is expected to take action on the U.S. Navy’s proposal to conduct special operations training in 28 state parks.
Other Commission action items include:
- Documenting their conclusion that the agency director performed satisfactorily in 2020, and that a meaningful evaluation process was used to reach this conclusion.
- Approving the agency priorities for 2021.
The commission will hear staff reports and updates on:
- The status of 2019-21 biennium revenues and spending; 2021-23 budget information will also be presented.
- The status of the remote 2021 Legislative Session.
In other business, the Commission will elect officers for 2021, transfer the gavel to the 2021 Commission chair, recognize 2020 Commission Chair Steve Milner and determine committee assignments for commissioners.
The meeting will be held via WebEx and streamed live on TVW with a call-in option for those who cannot access the online streams.
A virtual work session is scheduled the day before the regular meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Work sessions are open to the public; however, there will be no opportunity for public comment, and the commission will not take any formal action.
NOTE:
The commission will not take oral public comment during the regular meeting. A special meeting to hear from the public specifically about the Navy proposal is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 26. Written public comment will be accepted for all agenda items until 5 p.m. on Jan. 22 by email or mail.
WHAT
Bi-monthly commission meeting
WHO
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
WHEN
Work session
9 a.m. to about 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 27
Regular meeting
9 a.m. to about 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 28
WHERE
WebEx
Work Session WebEx attendee link
Regular Meeting WebEx attendee link
Password for both events: WAP@rks2021
TVW (regular meeting only)
Phone
US Toll: (415) 655-0001
Seattle Toll: (206) 207-1700
Work session Access Code: 177 093 5469
Regular meeting Access Code: 177 271 7815
BACKGROUND
The commission has six regular meetings a year in pre-determined locations around the state. A complete agenda, including information about opportunities for public comment, is available on State Parks’ website.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is made up of seven citizen volunteers appointed by the governor to staggered six-year terms. The commission is charged with providing policy direction for the agency. Commission meeting agendas are available online.
ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE PARKS
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
This is an extended time period to publicly comment on the SEPA application for the Navy to conduct daytime and night time training exercises at the below listed State park sites in Wa. St. These would allow anywhere from 3 man to 84 men land-based (trucks, tents, ground personnel), and off-shore (divers, submersibles with accompanying support & lookout boats), training exercises lasting anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. Some sites will be used over 30 times per year. Comments are due by Jan. 22nd 5:00.
16. What are your alternatives (outside of utilizing parkland)?”
“The Navy is using other land, both Federal and Privately owned, however State Parks Land provides essential elements such as variability in topography, bathymetry, and climate that are not essentially available thru use of these other properties. Puget Sound provides a uniques training environment….”
1) Westport Light St. Pk,. Westport, Grays Har. Cty.,
2) Blake Island St. Park, Saratoga Shores, Snohomish Cty.,
3) Cama Beach St. Pk., Saratoga Shores, Snohomish Cty.,
4) Cape Disappointment St. Park, Ilwaco, Pacific Cty.,
5) Deception Pass St. Park, Island / Skagit Cty.,
6) Dosewallips St. Pk., Brinnon, Jefferson Cty.,
7) Ft. Casey St. Pk., Ft. Casey, Island Cty.,
8) Ft. Columbia St. Park, Chinook, Pacific Cty.,
9) Ft. Ebery St. Pk., Coveland, Island Cty.,
10) Ft. Flagler St. Pk., Nordland, Jefferson Cty.,
11) Fort Townsend St. Pk., Port Townsend, Jefferson Cty.,
12) Ft. Warden St. Pk., Port Townsend, Jefferson Cty.,
13) Grayland Beach St. Pk., Grayland, Pacific Cty.,
14) Illahee St. Pk., Enetar, Kitsap Cty.,
15) Joseph Whidbey St. Park, Swanton, Island Cty.,
16) Leadbetter St. Pk., Oysterville, Pacific Cty.,
17) Manchester St. Pk, Port Orchard, Kitsap Cty.,
18) Mystery Bay St. Pk., Nordland, Jefferson Cty.,
19) Pacific Pines St. Pk., Oysterville, Pacific Cty.,
20) Scenic Beach St. Pk., Seabeck, Kitsap Cty.,
21) Sequim Bay St. Pk., Sequim, Jefferson Cty.,
22) Shine Tidelands St. Pk., Pt. Ludlow, Jefferson Cty,
23) Skagit Island St. Pk, West Shore (Kukulani Preserve), Skagit Cty.,
24) South Whidbey St. Park, Whidbey Island, Island Cty.,
25) Triton Cove St. k. Brinnon, Jefferson Cty.,
26) Twin Harbors St. Pk., Cohassett Beach, Grays Harbor Cty.,
27) Westhaven St. Pk., Westhaven, Grays Harbor Cty.,
28) Hope Island St. Pk., West Shore (Kukulani Preserve), Skagit Cty.
This was proposed as early as 2016 and has now entered a re-authorization phase.
Everybody ok with this?
“In the new scenario, which the military calls “realistic military training,” Navy SEALs carrying “simulated” weapons may also travel across public and private property within city limits, and may swim through public and private marinas occupied by people living on boats. They could conduct war game patrols on roads through residential communities.”
“EXCLUSIVE: Navy Uses US Citizens as Pawns in Domestic War Games”
https://truthout.org/articles/exclusive-navy-uses-us-citizens-as-pawns-in-domestic-war-games/