The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is beginning a public process to consider expanding the long-term park boundaries of Moran and Obstruction Pass state parks on Orcas Island.
The public is invited to participate in the effort, which will kick off with a public workshop scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Eastsound Fire Hall. At the meeting, state parks staff will provide background on the parks and their current and proposed future long-term park boundaries.
The purpose of identifying a long-term park boundary is to take a big-picture look at what lands, independent of ownership, might help to advance the conservation and recreation mission of a park.
The current project is to consider whether three properties, totaling approximately 358 acres, should be added to the long-term boundaries of Moran and Obstruction Pass state parks. Land classifications for the three properties will also be considered. The seven-member State Parks and Recreation Commission will make a decision on the long-term park boundaries and land classifications at its March 22, 2018, meeting in Snohomish.
Including privately owned property in a long-term park, boundary enables the commission to direct state parks staff to work with nearby landowners willing to consider potential land transactions.
Washington State Parks has completed more than 100 land-use plans for parks around the state, through its Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) process. CAMP processes address opportunities for additional parking, trails, water access while also preserving habitat, overall visitor experiences, natural resources, recreation areas and other topics of interest to the communities.
Opportunities for public comment will be available at the meeting, and public comment also may be provided by contacting Sanh Ho, Park Planner, (360) 902-8645 or sanh.ho@parks.wa.gov. Information about the planning project is available online at bit.ly/MoranPlan.
About Moran and Obstruction State Parks
Moran State Park is 5,252-acres and offers abundant camping, five freshwater lakes for swimming and non-motorized boating and more than 30 miles of hiking, bicycling, mountain biking and equestrian trails. Mount Constitution stands 2,409 feet above sea level. For more information about Moran, visit http://parks.state.wa.us/547/Moran.
Obstruction Pass State Park is an 80-acre primitive camping park on the south end of Orcas Island, south of Moran State Park. The park is one of the few spots on Orcas Island with access to more than one mile of publicly owned saltwater shoreline. For more information about Obstruction Pass, visit http://parks.state.wa.us/553/Obstruction-Pass.
