WSPRC staff previews preliminary park recommendations

PATEROS – Following an ambitious itinerary of meetings with the public, city and tribal officials, workshops with school students and information booths at community events that commenced in May 2019. Parks personnel led by WSPRC Parks Planner Melinda Posner addressed a sparse gathering at the Pateros Fire Hall last Wednesday, Jan. 29, to review the preliminary proposals for land classification, long-term boundary and management recommendations based on feedback gleaned from the meetings, events and comments to date.
Classification and Management Planning (CAMP) Stage 3
Stage 1 was designed to identify issues and concerns regarding park use. The 2019 process included:
● May 28 student workshop with Pateros High School freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
● May 29 student workshop with Bridgeport school sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
● May 30 WSPRC information booth at Bridgeport DAZE.
● June 12 Bridgeport public meeting.
● June 13 Meeting with Alta Lake property owners.
● June 14 WSPRC booth at Cherries Jubilee in Brewster.
Bridgeport State Park located two miles east of Bridgeport on the north shore of Rufus Woods Lake was created in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) following completion of Chief Joseph Dam in 1955. The state renewed a 25-year lease of the site in 2015. The park features 750 total acres and 7,500 feet of shoreline.   

Among the issues raised about Bridgeport State Park included use of the nine-hole golf course. The now-closed facility operated for years as the Lake Woods Golf Club until declining membership forced its closure two years ago. Other issues included marmot and geese management, barriers to local use, more camp and RV sites, improved beach access, and lack of an interpretive program.
Alta Lake State Park with its 174-acre campground and 4,000 feet of shoreline was gifted to WSPRC by the city of Pateros in 1951. Adjacent facilities include the Alta Lake Golf Course, Whistling Pines Resort, and other private property.
Issues raised about Alta Lake State Park included restoration from the 2014 Carlton Complex wildfire, water quality, lake level management, trails development, outdated facilities, shoreline erosion, lack of shade, boating and public safety concerns, and relations with lake residents.
Stage 2 explored alternative approaches and included outreach events:
● Oct. 16 Bridgeport City Council and Planning Commission.
● Oct. 23 Alternatives open house in Brewster.
● Website-posted video of alternative proposals for electronic comment from the public.
Stage 3 is devoted to preparing preliminary recommendations and the Pateros meeting was part of that process.
Stage 4 will prepare final recommendations for submission to the seven-member Parks and Recreation Commission for approval.
Preliminary recommendations for Alta Lake State Park include:
● Expanded camping
    1. Areas adjacent to existing camp loops.
    2. Cabins for overnight accommodations.
    3. Redevelopment of former hike/bike group camp.
● Trails restoration and expansion
    1. Renovate existing cliff trail.
    2. Explore a future Goat Mountain Loop with U.S. forest Service.
    3. Renovate trail from boat launch to day-use area.
    4. Possible development of multi-use trail for walkers, bikers, equestrians and ADA access around lake’s east side.
● Long-term boundary considerations
    1. Preserve golden eagle and western gray squirrel habitat on lake’s west side.
    2. Preserve wildlife corridor and habitat values on lake’s east side.
    3. Possible day-use and campground development at lake’s south end.
● Improved boating safety with signage about:
    1. Boating rules.
    2. Operation times for motorized vs. nonmotorized craft.
    3. Direction of motorized boat traffic.
● Improved public safety with signage about:
    1. Park boundary and turnaround area.
    2. county road crossing cautions.
● Transfer of maintenance, assets, lake level operations to other parties.
The Alta Lake State Park land classification and long-term boundary table featured in the site map includes three land classifications comprised of nearly 220 acres. Long-term boundary designations apply to six classifications encompassing 202-plus acres.
Preliminary recommendations for Bridgeport State Park include:
● Golf course revision:
    1. Expanding camping, group camp, trails.
    2. Programmable space for interpretive events.
● Trails expansion
    1. Connect to existing Corps of Engineers-managed trails.
    2. Expand river trails.
    3. Expand trails to northern park boundary.
    4. Potential trail segment through undeveloped northwest shrub-steppe landscape.
● Added and improved RV sites.
● Improved day-use and swim area access.
● Continued coordination with Colville Confederated Tribes
● Management consistent with USACE lease agreement.
The Preliminary Recommendations video is available for viewing and comment online at bit.ly/AltaBridgeport. Public comment will be taken through Feb. 13. Comments can also be submitted by email to Posner at Melinda.posner@parks.wa.gov.
The WSPRC will address the final parks recommendations at a March 12 meeting at Campbell’s on the Lake in Chelan.