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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Out & About: State grants boost recreation, wildlife projects

OUTFUND – The Washington Recreation and Conservation office has awarded more than $110 million to 268 projects to build parks and boating facilities, provide access to shorelines, maintain trails and conserve farms and wildlife habitat.

Spokane County will get $2.32 million for parks projects ranging from enhancing urban playing fields and a trail at Manito Mirror Pond to building trails and trailheads for Antoine Peak, Mica Peak and a phase of the Appleway Trail in the Valley.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife was awarded $474,000 to buy 80 acres for motorized boating access to Chapman Lake, about 26 miles southwest of Spokane. Anglers lost access to this 128-acre lake and its trout, kokanee and bass when resort owners locked the gates to the public in 2011.

About $4.4 million in grants is headed for Asotin County, mostly through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, to help with a multi-phased purchase of the 4-0 Ranch along the Grande Ronde River. The property will allow hunting and fishing access and secure important winter range for elk, deer and bighorn sheep.

Another $324,500 will go to upgrading the boat ramp and other facilities at Heller Bar on the Snake River.

“These grants are important to our economy because they help local communities create the kinds of places that people want to live and work, and tourists want to visit,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “Washington’s outdoor recreation industry is as important to our economy as our technology and aerospace industries.”

The grants this year were awarded to projects in 37 of the state’s 39 counties through seven grant programs funded by the 2015 Washington Legislature along with federal funding.

King and Pierce counties were the top grant winners, garnering a total of $27 million.

Proposed projects are evaluated and ranked through a competitive process by a committee of citizens with expertise in recreation and conservation issues. About half of the proposals across the state were funded, officials said.