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.