Category Overview
Washington is famous for its gorgeous and abundant waterways, from the Salish Sea to the Nisqually River, but many communities lack open public beaches and waterfronts where everyone can enjoy picnicking, swimming, paddling, boating, and angling. Water Access projects fund public shoreline access, boat launches, and fishing docks to create more opportunities for water recreation.
Project Highlights
The Department of Fish and Wildlife will use this grant to buy access to land along the middle Wynoochee River, 17 miles northwest of Montesano, in Grays Harbor County, for fishing and boating. The department will buy an easement for 20 acres along the river, mostly on logging roads and the 7400 road. The Wynoochee River is an important steelhead and salmon fishery. Public access is extremely limited along the river between the Wynoochee Dam and the department’s White Bridge access and a road recently closed to the public. In addition to buying access, the department will lay gravel at the boat launch and parking lot, pour a pad for an restroom, and install an informational kiosk, signs, and gates. The acquisition will allow the department to restore public access to the Wynoochee River for a variety of water-related recreational activities and reduce crowding elsewhere on the river.