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Olympic National Forest to grow?
SHELTON — U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., are floating a proposal to add roughly 130,000 acres to wilderness areas to the Olympic National Forest. Their staffs were in Shelton Friday for public feedback before drafting a bill to accomplish that goal.
How do you feel about adding 130,000 acres to the Olympic National Forest?
The plan would take existing federal forest land surrounding the Olympic National Park and tighten the managerial restrictions however much of these forest would be left in its current condition. Logging would be eliminated and hiking would remain.
These forests have numerous U.S. Forest Service roads already earmarked for closure, which would still take place. Some forest service roads would remain intact — the only ones that would allow mountain bikes and motorized vehicles. However, hikers might have longer walks into the wilderness from where they can park vehicles.
As part of the 130,000 acres are five segments of land totaling about 20,000 acres targeted to become “preserves.” In these areas, if the private owners were to sell to the federal government, the government would manage the land in a manner less restrictive than as an official wilderness.
About 400 Olympic Peninsula residents from various groups made the original proposal. So far, the original proposal has been trimmed after some initial feedback by the tribes and other agencies and groups, said Kristine Reeves, Kitsap and Olympic Peninsula director on Murray’s staff.
Olympic Rainshadow – November 16-17 Storm – 2011
The Olympic Peninsula Rain Shadow did it again!
A fall storm, not unlike any other on the Olympic Peninsula, hit us November 16 and 17. It poured in Seattle, caused power outages in Tacoma but less than 50 miles as the crow flies on Discovery Bay in Sequim, the day was clear. Again, we experienced the effects we call the “Olympic Rainshadow”
It stormed in Seattle but in the Olympic Rainshadow, the sky was clear - courtesy of http://www.olympicrainshadow.com
The Olympic Rain Shadow is a small region northwest of Seattle which experiences significantly dryer and brighter weather than surrounding locations. WHY? The Olympic Mountain range, home of the Olympic National Park protects communities directly east and northeast and depending upon the direction of the weather, get much less rainfall and in some cases even more sunny days.
That was the case yesterday. The storm tracked from the WSW and areas of Sequim had a sunny day, albeit with a bit of wind. To explore more on this frequent natural phenomenon, go to http://www.olympicrainshadow.com/.
Hood Canal Chum salmon are right on time
At the Big Bend on Hood Canal near Shelton, snaggle-nosed chum salmon take over the fishing spotlight about this time each year. Between the Coho and winter steelhead runs, I can report the Chum have arrived right on time.
State Fish and Wildlife Department checked at the Hoodsport Hatchery on Hood Canal one day last week and counted 23 beach fishermen with 76 chums. That’s hard-to-beat salmon fishing, particularly considering you don’t need a boat. These fish are in good shape and plentiful but they won’t stay that way very long.
The tribal beach fishery started on the Olympic Peninsula Nov. 14, according to a state spokesman at the hatchery, running Monday, Wednesday and Friday at least through the end of the month. Sport fishing is concentrated along the hatchery stream channel, using steelhead-type gear, and since it’s necessary to keep firm control of hooked fish, thicker line is better than light. Fly fishermen score as well, working surrounding water.
This area of Hood Canal also has a handicapped fishing platform for wheelchair-bound anglers, best at high tide. Call the hatchery’s recorded fishing line for current conditions, at 360-877-5222.
CHRISTMAS TREE PERMITS AVAILABLE
Christmas tree cutting permits are now available from Olympic National Forest offices.
According to Lorina Madinger, Support Services Specialist with the Forest Service Headquarters in Olympia, permits cost $5 each (cash or check only) and can be purchased during regular business hours at:
Forest Service Headquarters in Olympia
Hood Canal Ranger District Office in Quilcene
Hoodsport Visitor Information Center
Pacific Ranger District Office in Quinault
Forks Visitor Information Center.
Hood Canal Ranger District Office in Quilcene
Hoodsport Visitor Information Center
Pacific Ranger District Office in Quinault
Forks Visitor Information Center.
The permit entitles you to cut one tree larger than two feet but no more than 20 feet in height. Maps and information about cutting locations will be provided with each permit sale. Mail order permits are available from the Olympia, Quilcene, and Quinault offices through the Forest Service website:www.fs.usda.gov/olympic.
If you plan to take advantage of this opportunity, Madinger suggests you be prepared for winter weather and winter driving, packing warm clothes and changes of clothes, blankets, and chains for your vehicle. Also, you should let someone know where you are going.
For more information by telephone, contact one of the offices:
- Olympic National Forest Headquarters Olympia (360-956-2300)
Hood Canal Ranger District Office in Quilcene (360-765-2200)
Pacific Ranger District Office in Quinault (360-288-2525)
Seven honored by Hood Canal
The Hood Canal Coordinating Council announced that on Friday, November 4th, seven award-winners will be honored for their help to protect and restore Hood Canal.
These seven people “embody the spirit of fostering cooperation, collaboration and lasting relationships to achieve a healthy Hood Canal,” said Robin Lawlis of the coordinating council.
The seven will be recognized in Port Townsend at a conference titled “Celebrating Actions in Hood Canal.” The conference will be at Fort Worden State Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Limited space remains available. Reservations can be obtained by calling Lawlis at 360-981-4214.
To read more about both the conference and the seven honorees, go to http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/nov/02/hood-canal-award-winners-named/
New Shelton Golf Course get national award
Shelton’s Salish Cliffs Golf Club
Shelton’s brand-new Salish Cliffs Golf Club at Little Creek Casino Resort is the nation’s top course to open in 2011, and No. 8 overall, according to “Golfweek’s Best 2011: Best New Courses” ranking, released today.
Salish Cliffs, a Gene Bates design that opened to the public on Sept. 16, was chosen by Golfweek’s nationwide team of course raters. The elite ranking is reserved for courses that debuted in 2010 or 2011. Not only was Salish Cliffs the top-ranked layout to open this year, but it was just one of two Pacific Northwest courses on the list, along with Old Macdonald in Bandon, Ore., which earned the No. 1 spot.
“We have known all along Salish Cliffs is a special course, one we hope golfers will rate among North America’s finest,” said Head Professional David Kass, PGA. “It’s a great honor that, less than six weeks after opening to the public, we’ve already received national recognition from Golfweek.”
Shelton’s Salish Cliffs has received national acclaim for its stunning beauty and clever design since opening. It has also received praise for its reasonable rates and was included on Forbes.com’s list of the “12 Best Value Courses in the U.S.”
The par-72, 7,269-yard championship course provides an intimate setting with 16 of 18 holes encircled by lush forestry. The course is friendly to players of all levels thanks to five sets of tees and offers stunning scenery with 360-degree views of Olympic Peninsula’s Kamilche Valley. The black “tips” received a rating/slope of 75.4/137 from the USGA while the 5,313-yard forward tees come in with a 70.7 rating and 125 slope.
Shelton Golf has Reasonable Rates
Public rates through Oct. 31 are $69 (Monday-Thursday) and $79 (Friday-Sunday) for 18 holes and $40 and $50, respectively, for nine, including green fees and cart (but not applicable tax). MVP Player’s Card Holders will pay $64 (Monday-Thursday) and $74 (Friday-Sunday). Twilight rates, which begin at 3 p.m., are $40 (Monday-Thursday) and $50 (Friday-Sunday).
Tee times can be booked with a major credit card up to 10 days in advance at www.salish-cliffs.com. Advanced tee-time booking up to 60 days in advance is available for those with confirmed Little Creek Casino Resort hotel reservations by calling the golf shop at 360.462.3673.
There is now more Olympic Discovery Trail
For hikers, bikers and other non-motorized adventurers, there is news from the Olympic Discovery Trail. Another mile west of Port Angeles has been completed. 18 volunteers helped turn more former railroad rails into smooth grade between 10th and 18th as they continue to Lower Elwha Road to meet the section being built by the Lower Elwha Tribe. So far, 40 of the 128 mile trail is be complete.
Currently the trail runs from Ediz Hook in Port Angeles to the Blyn just east of Sequim. The final goal of this ambitious project is the development of a non-motorized multi-use trail that will connect Port Townsend on the East, through Sequim, Port Angeles to Forks on the West coast.
Portions of the trail are located on the trail bed of a former train route that ran between Port Angeles and Port Townsend. Funding, design and construction of the first phase of the trail was received from the National Scenic Byway Program, the Washington State Department of Transportation, a Federal STEA program and the County. Private property owners also made generous donations of easements to extend the trail through their properties.
To download maps of the Olympic Discovery Trail, use this link for the eastern portion through Sequim: http://www.olympicbikeadventure.com/ODBA%20map%20east.pdf
Here is the link to the western portion through Port Angeles: http://www.olympicbikeadventure.com/ODBA%20map%20west.pdf
