Public invited to help shape future of Alta Lake, Bridgeport state parks

BRIDGEPORT / PATEROS -  The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is beginning a public process that will lead to long-term recreation and land-use plans for Alta Lake and Bridgeport state parks, located in Okanogan County.

The public is invited to attend the first several planning meetings: one in Bridgeport and one in Pateros. Both meetings are from 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 12 and June 13, respectively, at the following locations: Bridgeport Elementary School Commons, 1400 Tacoma Ave. Bridgeport and in at the Pateros Fire Station Meeting Hall, 191 Industrial Way, Pateros

The workshops will include a presentation from State Parks staff describing the planning process and providing background information on the two parks.Following the presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to discuss the project with state park staff and provide comment.

The public may also provide comment or ask questions about the planning effort by contacting Melinda Posner, Parks Planner, at (360) 902-8671 or melinda.posner@parks.wa.gov.

Planning for these parks involves three main objectives: Classify park lands to determine the appropriate level of recreational use. Delineate a long-term park boundary to identify lands with shared management objectives or that may be appropriate for transfer to another entity. Prepare a park management plan for each park.

Washington State Parks has completed land-use plans for almost 100 parks around the state through its Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) process. The CAMP process will address trails and recreational use, day-use opportunities, natural and cultural resources and other topics of interest to the community.

About Alta Lake State Park
Tucked into the hills between Winthrop and Lake Chelan, Alta Lake has long been a hub for anglers, water sports enthusiasts and families that love to camp. The 174-acre camping park offers good trout fishing, conditional water skiing and windsurfing during the summer months. It is set within a diverse landscape of pine forest and desert terrain. The lake is about 2 miles long and a half-mile wide, and Lake Chelan, with its many activities, is 30 minutes away.

About Bridgeport State Park
Bridgeport State Park is a 622-acre camping park with 7,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on Rufus Woods Lake. Set directly behind Chief Joseph Dam, the lake offers swimming, boating and year-round fishing. Walking and bird watching are also popular, as are tours of the Chief Joseph Hatchery and Chief Joseph Dam. The high desert landscape features sage and lupine and haystack volcanic formations, which are reminders of the area's turbulent geology.