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 in 2008 Fish & Wildlife sought to upgrade the existing site including an expanded double ramp, boarding floats, handicap parking and access, designated parking, and vault toilets. Due to wetland restriction it is unlikely that the parking area will be expanded however they do intend to angle parking so as to maximize efficiency of the existing space.
WHEN:
WDFW submitted a grant proposal to the Recreation and Conservation
Office (RCO) for funding to upgrade the existing site. The
funding board met in November 2008 and the board voted to fund a
number of projects including the Lake Samish boat launch (Lake
Samish ranked at #6 at a cost of approximately $832,000 - see
listing Resolution #2008-53).
However, Fish & Wildlife said that there could well be uncertainty
about this funding. because of legislature and the state budgeting
process. Until that budget is finalized, there is no way of knowing
whether this project will go forward. WDFW cannot move forward on
design or permitting until the funding is officially in place, which
would be at best in 2011.
One more thing: even if this boat launch does get state funding, it must still go through the county permitting process.
LSA ACTION: The LSA
held a community meeting on Thursday October 23, 2008 and hosted Kye
Iris to inform the community about the project and to get feedback. At
the meeting, much concern was voiced by citizens about the potential
impacts of the potential expanded ramp on the lake and the community.
However, there has been much support for the ramp voiced as well, as
the existing ramp is in need of repair.
STATUS: We received an update from Kye
Iris from WDFW in May 2009: The project is dead but
the priority and need is still there and Fish & Wildlife will be
working in the future toward replacement of the boat ramp.
Basically, there
is no funding available at this time. If the project is not
funded this year the entire bid process will need to be done all over
again next year.
Update 3-1-10:
Denise Beard, a local resident, has launched an opposition campaign to help stop the WDFW Proposed Site Plan. See below the Keep Lake Samish Safe Mission Statement and News Release.
LSA CONTACT: Denise Beard (206) 282-0258
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
SITE PLAN
(click above to open map)
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