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Featured Projects

Kettle River Boat Launch

Funding Source: Recreation Projects-
Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program

Funding: $660,000

Recipient: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Location: 10 miles northwest of Curlew

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife used a grant to buy 115 acres along the Kettle River in northern Ferry County and then built a primitive launch for canoes and kayaks there. The boat launch will allow more people to enjoy trout fishing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and bird watching on the river. There are only three places where the public can get on the 29-mile reach of the river between Ferry and Danville and none with developed boat launches. Buying the land allows the department to conserve for the public important habitat critical to a variety of rare species.

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Featured Projects

Cedar Field

Funding Source: Youth Athletic Facilities

Funding: $341,000

Recipient: Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation Department

Location: Marysville

The City of Marysville fully renovated its oldest youth baseball field. Cedar Field got new turf, fencing, lighting, and a drainage system. The field is used by boys’ and girls’ T-ball, baseball, softball, kick ball, and other recreational activities.

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Featured Projects

Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area

Funding Source: Habitat Conservation Projects-
Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program

Funding: $325,000

Recipient: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Location: Reardan

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife used a grant to buy 150 acres to expand its 277-acre Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area, north of Reardan and 20 miles from Spokane. The department also built a parking lot and worked with students from Reardan High School to build a kiosk there. This special wildlife viewing spot is used by more than 125 species of birds and is their last stop during spring migration to Canada. In addition to birds, many animals use the land, including many at-risk of extinction.

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Featured Projects

Stevenson Waterfront Boardwalk

Funding Source: Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account

Funding: $354,000

Recipient: Port of Skamania

Location: Stevenson

The Port of Skamania is using a grant to develop a park on the Columbia River in Stevenson. The Port is building a waterfront trail and a scenic overlook, a public access point to the river, a restroom, and parking lot. In addition, the Port is renovating the existing restroom and part of a trail and paving a gravel parking lot. The new trail will feature lighting, benches, kiosks with historical information, picnic tables, and a nature-inspired play structure.

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Featured Projects

Lake to Sound Trail

Funding Source: Recreation Projects-
Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program

Funding: $500,000

Recipient: King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Location: King County

King County cut the ribbon on 1.2 miles of the Lake to Sound Trail, which eventually will run 16 miles from the south end of Lake Washington to Puget Sound, linking the cities of Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien, and Des Moines and connecting four existing regional trails.

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Featured Projects

Middle Fork Newaukum River Fish Passage Project

Funding Source: Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board

Funding: $1,016,993

Recipient: Lewis County

Location: Onalaska

Lewis County used a grant to replace a barrier under the Middle Fork Road in Onalaska. The new crossing helps fish access 2.5 miles of upstream habitat. "This project is an incredible achievement for the board, the people of Washington, and our environment,” said Kaleen Cottingham, director of the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. “In addition to improving access for fish, these projects also will enhance the roads that cross over them, support public safety, and protect our communities from flooding.”

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Featured Projects

Dune Peninsula Park

Funding Source: Land and Water Conservation Fund

Funding: $500,000

Recipient: Metro Parks Tacoma

Location: Tacoma

The Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma used this grant to develop open park space on about 11 acres at Point Defiance Park, located on a peninsula at the northernmost point in the city. The primary recreation opportunities provided by the project are walking, picnicking and sightseeing. Amenities include walking trails, site furnishings, restrooms, lighting, signage and landscaping.

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Featured Projects

Wally Bowman Bridge

Funding Source: Salmon Recovery and Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration

Funding: $145,472

Recipient: Jefferson County

Location: Uncas

The Jefferson County Department of Public Works used a grant to remove a large steel pipe that carried Salmon Creek under West Uncas Road and was a barrier to migrating. In its place, the department built an 80-foot-long bridge over the creek, doubling the available spawning habitat for salmon. Jefferson County contributed $164,872 in cash and a federal grant and $788,800 in a previously awarded salmon recovery grant.

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Featured Projects

28th Street Boat Launch

Funding Source: Boating Facilities Program

Funding: $50,000

Recipient: Port of Grays Harbor

Location: 28th St. Hoquiam, WA 98550

The Port of Grays Harbor used a grant to improve the 28th Street Landing boat launch. The boat launch was in severe disrepair. The Port replaced and widened the boat ramp, added an additional boarding float, paved the main parking lot, added a permanent restroom, graveled the remaining parking area, and added lighting to improve safety in the parking area. The Port of Grays Harbor contributed $275,000 in cash and donations of cash.

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News and Events

Outdoor Recreation Generates Big Money in Washington

OLYMPIA–People spend $26.5 billion annually in Washington to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity, according to a report released today. The report, Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State, found that residents and tourists spend $18.8 billion annually on outdoor recreation trips, including trips to local, state and national parks. In addition, they spend $7.7 […]

July 30, 2020Read More

State Launches New Grant Program to Conserve Community Forests

OLYMPIA–Communities wanting to conserve forestlands now have a state grant program to help, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. Beginning September 1, communities can apply for grants of up to $3 million in the newly created Community Forests Program. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres of forestland and the […]

July 29, 2020Read More

Public Asked to Check Trees for Invasive Species in August

Olympia—Throughout August, the Washington Invasive Species Council and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are asking the public to take 10 minutes to check trees in their communities for invasive insects. August is the peak time of year that wood-boring insects are most often spotted outside of trees. “State and federal agencies do a […]

July 27, 2020Read More

All News

Reports and Studies

Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State

State Recreation and Conservation Plan

State of Salmon in Watersheds

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Volunteer for an Advisory Committee

RCO always is looking for volunteers to review and evaluate grant applications. By joining the many individuals who help RCO with this important role, you have a say in ensuring Washington stays a great place to live.

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Policy Changes

RCO is committed to making rules and policies that have been discussed with the public.

Policy and Rulemaking

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Investing in Washington's Great Outdoors

Community Forests Grants Open Sept. 1

Coronavirus Update

Economic Report on Outdoor Recreation

Featured Projects

Kettle River Boat Launch

Featured Projects

Cedar Field

Featured Projects

Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area

Featured Projects

Stevenson Waterfront Boardwalk

Featured Projects

Lake to Sound Trail

Featured Projects

Middle Fork Newaukum River Fish Passage Project

Featured Projects

Dune Peninsula Park

Featured Projects

Wally Bowman Bridge

Featured Projects

28th Street Boat Launch

News and Events

Outdoor Recreation Generates Big Money in Washington

State Launches New Grant Program to Conserve Community Forests

Public Asked to Check Trees for Invasive Species in August

Reports and Studies

Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State

State Recreation and Conservation Plan

State of Salmon in Watersheds

Get Involved

Volunteer for an Advisory Committee

Policy Changes

Recreation and Conservation

Salmon Recovery

Plans

Other

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