Now, one year into the process of developing a recreation plan for state trust lands in Whatcom County, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking input on its work so far.
Join DNR staff 6-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the Bellingham Technical College Settlemyer Hall, 3028 Lindbergh Ave. in Bellingham to learn more and check in on the progress. This event signifies an unofficial half-way mark in the agency’s efforts to draft a vision for managing outdoor recreation on state lands from Mount Baker to Bellingham.
DNR kicked off this process in winter 2016 with two public meetings attended by hundreds of Whatcom County residents. Since then, DNR has met almost monthly with a 17-member volunteer recreation planning committee. The committee represents diverse stakeholders locally and across Washington’s outdoor recreation community.
In summer 2016, DNR staff also facilitated a recreation survey that engaged more than 1,300 individuals—some of the highest returns they’ve seen compared to similar efforts across other Washington landscapes. Combined, more than 76 percent of survey respondents indicated they would be very likely or somewhat likely to volunteer to care for recreation opportunities on DNR-managed lands in Whatcom County.
“After our first meeting, we knew there was a lot of positive momentum behind this effort,” said Glenn Glover, DNR’s acting statewide recreation manager. “It bodes well for getting volunteer support for potential projects in the future.”
Once completed, DNR’s Baker to Bellingham Recreation Plan will act as a model for the next 10 to 15 years to clarify the types and appropriate locations for recreation within the planning area. The area includes Sumas Mountain, borders the three forks of the Nooksack River, connects with Whatcom County park lands and provides views of the north Cascade Range (view map). The final plan will help DNR to pursue construction and maintenance funds for facilities, such as campgrounds, picnic areas and trails.
Following a brief 15-minute presentation at the Nov. 29 meeting to review progress, DNR staff will present a series of three maps in 20-minute increments to provide opportunities for small group discussion and questions. The maps reflect biological, geological and land management constraints at play within the recreation planning area to inform where recreation opportunities can be best incorporated. To wrap up the meeting, DNR staff will be available at listening stations where attendees can record comments on a variety of recreation topics for this landscape.
To learn more, view survey results and subscribe to email updates visit DNR’s project web page at www.dnr.wa.gov/BakertoBellingham. Email BakertoBellingham@dnr.wa.gov to contact DNR staff.
Ref: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/more-thousand-respond-outreach-state-lands-recreation
NEWS NOTEBOOK: CASTRO DEAD AT 90
(REU) Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro dies aged 90
Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary leader who built a communist state on the doorstep of the United States and for five decades defied U.S. efforts to topple him, died on Friday. He was 90.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-castro-idUSKBN13L044
Related stories: Castro's death could change Cuba reform dynamic, much depends on Trump (REU)
Fidel Castro's death could give his younger brother, President Raul Castro, more space to pursue economic reforms, but change will also depend on whether U.S. President-elect Donald Trump decides to work with or challenge Cuba's communist government.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-castro-future-analysis-idUSKBN13L0Q1
Castro clan torn by dysfunction and disagreements
HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro's rule of nearly five decades split many a Cuban family between exile and solidarity with the communist revolution — including his own.
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/592fec98259f44c4b22687b9329f6782/castro-clan-torn-dysfunction-and-disagreements
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