State Parks Requests Feedback on Beach Mining Program

About a year ago I reported here on a public meeting hosted by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and WDFW on February 16, 2012 in Montesano, Washington, to present information on ocean beach mining rules and to hear comments from the public on those rules.

Today, I want to share the substance of an email I received from Washington State Parks Stewardship regarding the beach mining program:

You are receiving this email because you either attended a public meeting in Montesano last spring on the issue of beach prospecting, or have identified interest in this issue to Washington State agencies or legislators.

Last year, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission  and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife approved rules that allowed and regulated beach prospecting on certain coastal beaches.  The action was not without controversy, and the two agencies held a public meeting and took much public comment on the issue. Since then, we all have had an opportunity to see these new rules take effect.  So far, the agencies have received little comment or feedback on the activity.

Attached is a comprehensive list of the issues brought forth at the Montesano meeting, with a response from the agencies to each issue.  Based on the initial performance of rules, at this time, no changes to the rules are contemplated.  However, we want to hear from people about any concerns they have with the first major season of  recreational use on the beach, and hear of any positive stories as well of the effectiveness of the program. You can send any such comments to:  parks.stewardship@parks.wa.gov, and they will be directed to the appropriate agency.

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Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

1111 Israel Road SW

PO Box 42650

Olympia WA 98504-2650

(360) 902-8500

Fax: (360) 586-0207

Since State Parks is requesting input from the public regarding concerns, positive stories, and the effectiveness of the program, this would be a good opportunity for the mining community to make itself heard on this matter.

The attached list of issues from the Montesano meeting is a four-page PDF file and too lengthy to append to this post.  It is available at the link here.

WDFW Seeks Enforcement Advisory Group Applications

Word just received is that the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking applications for five positions on the "enforcement advisory group."  As this opportunity may be of interest to the small-scale mining community, I'm reproducing the entire text of the message below rather than trying to summarize it.  For those who want to view the news release on the WDFW website, the link is here.

February 06, 2013
Contact: Carrell, (360) 902-2926



WDFW seeks nominations for Enforcement Advisory Group
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking applications through Feb. 28 for five positions on its enforcement advisory group.
Formed in 2006, the advisory group assists the WDFW Enforcement Program with public outreach and education, hunter/fisher relations, legislation and the state administrative code.
Advisers will be chosen for two-to-three-year terms, depending on the rotation of existing members, said Chief Bruce Bjork, who heads WDFW’s enforcement division.
“Advisers are an important link between WDFW and communities throughout the state," Bjork said. “We’re interested in finding people who represent a broad range of conservation and recreational interests, understand fish and wildlife enforcement issues and have an ability to communicate with the public.”
The advisory group meets twice a year via video-conference at regional offices and once a year at a central location in the state. The majority of the work of the group is conducted via email. This is a volunteer position and those selected are responsible for their own travel expenses.
Any group or individual may submit an application. Applicants do not have to be affiliated with an organized group.
Applications must be received by the close of business Feb. 28 and must include the applicant’s name, address, telephone number, email address, affiliations and experience with fish and wildlife conservation or other law enforcement. Up to three references may also be included.
Applications may be submitted to Sean.Carrell@dfw.wa.gov or by mailing the application to Sean Carrell, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA, 98501. For more information, contact Sean Carrell at (360) 902-2926.