OLALLIE STATE PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN November, 2011 22 Washington State Parks Mission The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission acquires, operates, enhances, and protects a diverse system of recreational, cultural, and natural sites. The Commission fosters outdoor recreation and education statewide to provide enjoyment and enrichment for all and a valued legacy to future generations. - 1 - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND CONTACTS The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission gratefully acknowledges the many stakeholders and the staff of Olallie and Lake Sammamish State Parks who participated in public meetings, reviewed voluminous materials, and made this a better plan because of it. NW Region Director Eric Watilo Plan Author Steven A. Starlund, Northwest Region Steward Olallie State Park Area Management Planning Team Steven Starlund, CAMP Project Lead Rick Oakley, Olallie Park Manager Derek Gustafson, NW Region Park Planner Daniel Farber, NW Region Capital Program Manager Rich Benson, Lake Sammamish Area Park Manager Kira Furman, Environmental Specialist Washington State Park and Recreation Commission Commissioners: Joe Taller, Chair Roger Schmitt Lucinda S.Whaley Mark O. Brown Patricia T. Lantz Steve S. Milner State Parks Director Don Hoch - 2 - TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE……………………………………………………….………..……………. 5 PURPOSE………………………………………………………………..…….………. 6 SECTION 1: PARK DESCRIPTION……………………………………..…………… 7 SECTION 2: PLANNING PROCESS & INTRODUCTION…………..…………… 10 SECTION 3: MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES…………………………………......... 13 SECTION 4: SUMMARY OF RESOURCE & RECREATION ISSUES……………. 16 SECTION 5: MANAGEMENT APPROACHES…………………………………. ….. 17 SECTION 6: LAND CLASSIFICATIONS & LONG-TERM BOUNDARY…………. 20 SECTION 7: OTHER REFERENCE DOCUMENTS…………………………….. 26 - 4 - PREFACE The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) manages a diverse array of 120 parks located throughout the state. The Commission adopted the Centennial 2013 Plan in October, 2003, thereby creating a focus for the agency, state leadership and the public, to work toward a parks system all can celebrate as it turns 100 years old. The Centennial 2013 Plan blends public and private funding, engages more partnerships and creates greater public stake in the system. As part of the Centennial 2013 Plan, the Commission directed staff to complete land use plans for all 120 parks. Land-use plans follow a process that has been used by the Commission since 1996, called CAMP. CAMP is an acronym for Classification and Management Plan. One of the most important elements of land use planning is the classification of lands. In 1995, the Commission adopted a land classification system. Application of the system creates zones, or land classifications, within a park (see Section 5, Land Classifications). Six distinct classifications determine what recreational uses and facilities are appropriate in different areas of a park. In general, sensitive areas are classified restrictively and allow only low-intensity uses and development of minor facilities. Less sensitive areas are classified to allow higher-intensity uses and more extensive facilities. A CAMP brings together park visitors, nearby communities, stakeholders and agency staff in a public process that forges a common vision of what the state park should become. Through a public process staff and public participants identify park management issues, and look at alternative approaches for addressing them. The outcome is a plan that will help focus our efforts to balance resource protection with recreation in the park. For State Parks’ staff, this document represents policy approval and a means to create a state park that meets the Commission’s Vision for State Parks Centennial: In 2013, Washington’s state parks will be premier destinations of uncommon quality, including state and regionally significant natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources that are outstanding for the experience, health, enjoyment and learning of all people. 5 PURPOSE The purpose of this document is to: 1) orient readers to the park and the agency's park management planning system, 2) identify park natural, cultural, and recreation/facility management issues, and 3) provide initial direction to park staff (suggested management approaches) to address these issues. The ultimate purpose of this document is to describe how the agency intends to balance recreational use with measures to protect natural and cultural resources. Section 1: Provides a brief overview of the park including its geographic setting, historical background, major attributes, and public use. Section 2: Describes the CAMP planning process specific to Olallie State Park. Section 3: Describes the overall management objectives for the park. Section 4: Outlines the management issues related to the natural and cultural resources and the public recreation interests, issues and concerns. Section 5: Describes the various management approaches to deal with those issues and concerns. Section 6: Depicts the approved park land classifications and long-term boundary recommendations. Section 7: Lists other reference documents 6 SECTION 1: PARK DESCRIPTION OLALLIE STATE PARK Location: Olallie State Park is adjacent to Interstate Highway 90 situated along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River near I-90 Exits #34 and #38. Acreage: 2,541.33 acres, including the Twin Falls Trail area and Mt. Washington. Acquisition History: In 1950, after deciding that they were not interested in using the area for hydroelectric power generation, Puget Sound Power and Light Company sold the 160 acres along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River that included Twin Falls to Washington State Parks. At that time, an informal trail leads from a roadside rest area on the Snoqualmie Pass Highway to Twin Falls. The area was officially named “Twin Falls State Park” in 1974. In 1977, 220 acres to the east was added and the park was renamed “Olallie State Park.” The park name, derived from the Chinook Jargon word for berry, was chosen because of the abundance of huckleberries in the area. At this time, Interstate 90 was built and the rest area and trail to Twin Falls were eliminated. In the early 1980’s, Washington State Parks was approached by a private company interested in constructing two run of the river hydroelectric plants in the park, one at Weeks Falls and the other at Twin Falls. After lengthy negotiations, public meetings, and legal battles, plans were modified to reduce the impact on local fish and retain the scenic aspects of the falls. Construction of the two power plants was completed in 1990. As mitigation for the power plants, the hydroelectric company was required to build a new trail from the west end of the park to Twin Falls. State Parks linked the two areas as Olallie State Park. Total acreage at that time was 353 acres. In 2010, Olallie State Park grew to 2,541.33 acres when property on the northern slope of Mount Washington was transferred from Iron Horse State Park to Olallie to facilitate more efficient park management. Background: Olallie State Park area is located in the heart of the Mountains to Sound Greenway. The Greenway stretches over 100 miles along Interstate 90 from the shores of Puget Sound in Seattle, over Snoqualmie Pass and into Central Washington. The Greenway encompasses protected and working forests, farms, historic sites, lakes, campgrounds, rivers, trails, wildlife habitat and vibrant communities. Because of this magnificent scenic beauty and easy access to nature, the stretch of Interstate-90 within the Greenway is a designated National Scenic Byway. Regional planning efforts by the Mountain to Sound Greenway’s coalition have highlighted the preservation of the visual landscape along Interstate-90 corridor and encouraged collaborative recreation planning and management among 7 resource agencies. Olallie State Park is well situated be a significant player in this collaborative resource and recreation management. The land base of this park is located in the foothills of the Cascades and adjoins state and federal lands which offer many backcountry recreation opportunities. The need to proceed with this CAMP was amplified by our apparent niche as the “frontcountry” recreation connection to those backcountry opportunities. Park Features: A one-mile hike off exit 34 leads visitors to two spectacular waterfalls including the 100-foot cascading Twin falls. Old-growth trees 12 to 14 feet in diameter add an historical and extraordinary natural dimension to the park. Cedar Falls Trailhead (Iron Horse State Park) The western terminus of Iron Horse State Park, the Cedar Falls Trailhead provides access to the 108 mile long John Wayne Pioneer Trail and is the most popular route to Olallie State Park’s 1.5 mile long Cedar Butte Trail. This family friendly trail provides a gentle hike to the 1,870 foot summit of Cedar Butte. Along the way, hikers get a view of the Boxley Blowout, a crater left in the hillside where a giant landslide and flood let loose and destroyed the downstream town of Edgewick in 1918. Twin Falls Trailhead This is the main trailhead for the Twin Falls Trail, a popular trail that follows the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River through the rainforest along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains. The trail provides spectacular views of Twin Falls. A little over a mile from the trailhead, a set of stairs descends to a viewpoint of the Lower Falls as they plunge over a 135 foot cliff. Hike another quarter mile to a bridge that spans the narrow Twin Falls canyon for a view of the Upper Falls. The trail continues another mile where it intersects with the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. The Twin Falls Trailhead is also a popular river access point for fishermen and put-in for kayakers. South Fork Fishing Access This small trailhead provides fishermen access to the north riverbank of the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and whitefish are the most abundant species of fish found in the South Fork. Homestead Valley Trailhead The Homestead Valley Trailhead provides access to a variety of outdoor pursuits. Hikers can use the John Wayne Pioneer Trail to access the east end of the Twin Falls Trail.