Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
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Don Hoch Director STATE OF WASHINGTON WASHINGTON STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 1111 Israel Road SW P.O. Box 42650 Olympia, Washington 98504-2650 (360) 902-8500 Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388 www.parks.wa.gov DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE Description of proposal: Agency Director consideration of a technical rock climbing management plan for Beacon Rock State Park pursuant to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 352-32-085. The climbing management plan identifies measures intended to safeguard natural and cultural resources for portions of Beacon Rock State Park that are open to the public for recreational climbing and bouldering. This State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklist analyzes the non-project impacts associated with this proposal. Any future proposals that are associated with this plan will undergo additional review under SEPA as appropriate. Proponent: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Location of proposal, including street address, if any: Beacon Rock State Park, 34841 State Highway 14, Skamania, Washington approximately 35 miles east of Vancouver. The majority of the climbing activities described in this plan will be located at Beacon Rock just south of State Highway 14. Lead agency: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request. There is no comment period for this DNS. Please note that although there is no formal comment period for this proposal, all comments are welcome and will be thoroughly considered. Please direct your comments to Jessica Logan, Environmental Program Manager, at the address below so they are received by May 17, 2017. Responsible Official: Jessica Logan Position/Title: Environmental Program Manager Phone: (360) 902-8679 FAX: (360) 586-0204 Address: 1111 Israel Rd SW P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504 Date: May 03, 2017 Signature: "All Washington State Parks are developed and maintained for the enjoyment of all persons regardless of age, sex, creed, ethnic origin, or physical limitations." There is no agency SEPA appeal; however all comments are welcome and will be thoroughly considered. SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST A. Background 1. Name of proposed project, if applicable: Agency Director consideration of a technical rock climbing management plan for Beacon Rock State Park pursuant to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 352- 32-085. The climbing management plan identifies measures intended to safeguard natural and cultural resources for portions of Beacon Rock State Park that are open to the public for recreational climbing and bouldering. This State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklist analyzes the non-project impacts associated with this proposal. Any future proposals that are associated with this plan will undergo additional review under SEPA as appropriate. 2. Name of applicant: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person: Randy Kline, Parks Planner Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 1111 Israel Road Olympia, WA Phone: (360)902-8632 E-mail: [email protected] 4. Date checklist prepared: April 2017 5. Agency requesting checklist: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable): Approval by the Director of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is required for the Beacon Rock Climbing Management Plan. The Director will consider this proposal following the completion of SEPA review. This checklist contains non-project SEPA analysis. 7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with this proposal? If yes, explain Yes. This SEPA checklist analyzes the foreseeable impacts associated with the Director’s adoption of the proposed staff recommendations for climbing management at Beacon Rock State Park. The Director’s decision will provide policy direction to staff and the public. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) Page 1 of 17 The draft climbing plan is available to any interested parties on the project website at: http://parks.state.wa.us/914/Beacon-Rock-Management-Plan-Update. Additional back- ground information can also be found on the website. Any future project actions are dependent upon securing adequate funding and regulatory approvals. Additional SEPA documentation will be prepared for any specific project actions at such time developments are proposed. 8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared, directly related to this proposal. Aside from this checklist no environmental information directly relating to this proposal has been prepared. However, a key part of management planning is to identify the environmental information necessary for plan implementation. Generally available environmental information includes: · Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Maps · Washington Department of Natural Resources. 2017. State of Washington Natural Heritage Program database. · Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). 2017. · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2017. Priority Habitat and Species Program database. · Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. 1998. Cultural Resources Management Policy. · Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. 2011. 73-04-1 Protecting Washington State Parks Natural Resources. · Washington Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program. 1993. Natural Forest Inventory for Beacon Rock State Park. · Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. 1996. SEPA checklist for 1996 Climbing Management Plan. · Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. 2000. SEPA Checklist for Beacon Rock State Park Management Plan. · Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. 2001. Beacon Rock State Park Management Plan. 9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain. State Parks is not currently undertaking any capital projects in the area covered by the climbing management plan. However, on-going operational activities such as noxious weed control, forest health, trail maintenance and other measures may be occurring within the park. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) Page 2 of 17 10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known. Approval by the Director of Washington State Parks is required for the climbing management plan. Consideration by the Director will occur following SEPA review. Any development projects that are an outcome of this management plan will be subject to additional SEPA review and subject to all applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations. 11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project description.) This proposal is a non-project action involving the adoption of a technical rock climbing management plan by the Director of Washington State Parks pursuant to Washington Admin- istrative Code (WAC) 352-32-085. The plan is intended to balance recreational rock climb- ing with protection of natural and cultural resources. The review for this proposal will be phased. “Phased review” means the coverage of general matters in broader analysis (WAC 197-11-776). Phased review allows State Parks to focus on the decision regarding the proposed management plan. This is the first phase of environ- mental analysis. Subsequent phases will include environmental analysis for specific project actions at such time developments or other actions are proposed. Further phases may include capital projects, implementation of management plan objectives, and other facility improve- ments. 12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise location of your proposed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, and range, if known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic map, if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications related to this checklist. Beacon Rock State Park, 34841 State Highway 14, Skamania, Washington approximately 35 miles east of Vancouver. The majority of the climbing activities described in this plan will be located at Beacon Rock just south of State Highway 14. There are two areas where technical rock climbing occurs: · On Beacon Rock itself · At the Hamilton Boulders located in the talus fields above the Equestrian Trail- head/Day Use Area. SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) Page 3 of 17 B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS 1. Earth a. General description