Lake Samish Association
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Public Boat Launch

WHAT: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) owns and operates the public boat launch facility on East Lake Samish Drive.  The concrete ramp has been degrading over the past few years and the Fish & Wildlife have sought to upgrade the existing site.  

WHEN: The WDFW recently received approval from the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for funding to upgrade the existing site in the amount of $485,000. The money will be used to replace a nearly unusable boat ramp witha a new accessible one as well as add a handicap accessible vault toilet and designated parking.

Currently this project in being permitted through the County and tenatively scheduled to build the Summer of 2013.

LSA ACTION: The LSA is keeping in touch with Kye Iris at WDFW as well as Denise Beard (see KLSS below) to inform the community about this project.  

STATUS:  The LSA has this topic on agenda for Spring 2012 Meeting.


Update 1-1-11 from WDFW: 

I am writing to update the Lake Samish Association regarding plans for the WDFW owned Samish Lake access area.   Please review the attached site plan.  You will notice that the plan has been revised.  The elements that have changed are as follows: 

  • Second ramp has been removed
  • Handicap accessible loading float has been removed 
  • A handicap accessible loading ramp has been added in the parking area in order to meet the handicap accessible requirement of the funding source
The remaining design features remain:  
  • Replacement boat ramp
  • Handicap accessible vault toilet
  • Designated parking

The legislature declined to fund Boating Facilities projects that were ranked through the Recreation and Conservation Office in 2008.  This opened the door to reevaluate our priorities and designs for the upcoming competitive grant cycle. 

At this point, no one knows whether or not the Boating Facilities Program will be funded this session, but we are moving forward in anticipation that there will be funds available.  Over the next several months we will be preparing to submit this proposed design for funding.  These grant presentations will occur the week of April 19 - 25, 2011.

I am well aware of the opposition from the Lake Samish Association to the previous design, and this opposition was a significant factor in re-submitting the scaled down version into a new site plan.  While I realize that there are still some folks who want no improvements to the site, WDFW has an obligation and a mandate to provide safe and sanitary facilities to the fishing and boating public.  I believe that the attached design goes a long way toward satisfying the majority of the Samish Lake residents, while providing much needed improvements to the site.

If you or others in your association have questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Kye Iris
Acquisition and Property Management Specialist
16018 Mill Creek Blvd
Mill Creek, WA   98012
425-775-1311 x125
Kye.Iris@dfw.wa.gov

REVISED 2011 SITE PLAN
(click above to open map)

Denise Beard, a local resident, has launched an opposition campaign to help stop the 2008 WDFW Proposed Site Plan.  In 2011 the KLSS now supports the revised plan.  See below the Keep Lake Samish Safe Mission Statement and News Release.  

LSA CONTACT: Denise Beard (206) 282-0258


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:




See also Lutherwood Boat Launch


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