Needed reforms for state parks and recreation grants program

A legislative maneuver last year threatened to politicize the objective process used to distribute grant money to recreation and wildlife projects throughout the state. But this year, rather than seeking to protect their own turf, lawmakers and the supporters of parks, recreation, wildlife habitat and working farms and forests have crafted legislation that offers needed reforms to the 25-year-old Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program that should revitalize the program and rebalance the work that it does for another 25 years.

The Wildlife and Recreation Program, administered by the state’s Recreation and Conservation Office and funded each biennium by the state, reviews grant requests from cities, counties, agencies and organizations for park acquisition and development, habitat conservation and farmland preservation. Since 1990, the program has provided more than $30 million in funding for more than 60 projects in Snohomish County, including the Centennial and Interurban trails and estuary restoration on Smith Island. Every two years, grant requests are ranked by the Recreation and Conservation Office based on community support, immediate threat by development, enhancement of habitat, diversity of use and other criteria.

But last year, as the program sought $97 million in funding during last year’s capital budget process, some lawmakers in the state Senate sought to throw out the ranked list and pick and choose the projects that would be funded, seeking to suspend the purchase of property to fund a backlog of park construction. Instead, the ranking system was preserved, but only $55 million in projects were funded.

Even though last year’s attempted end-run around an objective process was ill-considered, the concerns of lawmakers and others about the backlog of infrastructure work were legitimate. The Recreation and Conservation Office and groups such as the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition and Washington Recreation and Parks Association backed a process to review the law and seek reforms to the program. The results are Senate Bill 6227 and House Bill 2509.

The legislation would rebalance the funding provided, 45 percent for recreation programs, 45 percent for habitat conservation and 10 percent for farmland and forestland conservation.

The revisions to the program also would:

  • Improve access to grants in underserved communities by waiving all or part of a requirement for a match by a project’s supporters;
  • Simplify the system used to rank projects and adding a new separate account for projects related to preserving working farmland and forestland;
  • Strengthen public access for lands acquired through the program, while allowing some transparent restrictions necessary for sensitive habitat and public safety; and
  • Allow land trusts to compete for more grant funding for habitat conservation.

The slide in funding for the program remains a concern for the Wildlife and Recreation Coalition and others. More than $100 million was allocated in the 2007-09 budget, but the amount allocated has dropped in recent years to $65 million in the 2013-15 budget and $55 million in last year’s session.

The hope, said Adam Goch, policy coordinator for the Wildlife and Creation Coalition, is that the proposed reforms will rebuild confidence and support for the program among lawmakers.

The legislation has bipartisan support in House and Senate. The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Parks recommended passage of the bill and moved it on to the rules committee. Passage this session is necessary, because work will being late this year on grant applications prior to next year’s budget process.

Rather than opening up a grant process to politics, lawmakers and stakeholders have come together to craft reforms that will strengthen an important tool that protects habitat, farmlands and working forestlands and promotes parks and recreation programs in our communities.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, file photo, a man using an electronic cigarette exhales in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, the American Medical Association said it is calling for an immediate ban on all electronic cigarette and vaping devices. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
Editorial: Shut down flavored tobacco’s gateway to youths

Legislation in Olympia would bar the use of flavors and menthol in vape products and cigarettes.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, Feb. 18

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Herald report of Everett protest inaccurate, biased

I was at the rally and protest in Everett last on Feb.… Continue reading

Media shouldn’t use ‘she’ for trans people

About 79 percent of Americans oppose those observed male at birth from… Continue reading

USAID freeze halts vital aid work

I am outraged the Trump administration is making the U.S. weaker in… Continue reading

Goldberg: Trump declares war on higher ed, not just woke parts

The move, aided by Elon Musk, to gut NIH funding, is part of a larger and debilitating attack on academia.

Comment: Trump’s Kennedy Center will narrow exposure to art

Trump’s move to takeover the Kennedy Center is not about the arts but about celebrating his tastes.

Rivian, based in Irvine, Calif., has introduced its new R2 models, smaller and more affordable SUVs. (Rivian)
Editorial: Open electric vehicle market to direct sales

Legislation would allow EV makers to sell directly to customers, making lease or purchase easier.

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, Feb. 17

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: No one saw Musk’s DOGE rampage coming or its threat

With no formal grant of authority, Musk is making cuts without fully understanding the consequences.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.