Boundary Hearing and Comment Period for Skookum Inlet Natural Area Preserve

Washington State Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Mason County Fire Hall District #4, 2970 SE Arcadia Road Shelton, WA 98584. An informational session will begin at 6 pm and the public hearing will begin no earlier than 6:30 pm.

The department will present a boundary expansion proposal for an existing DNR-managed natural area in Mason County, Skookum Inlet NAP. This would expand the boundary of the existing 165 acre preserve by 290 acres. The boundary expansion is an administrative step prior to seeking grant funds to, potentially, purchase lands within the site boundary from willing sellers, at market value based on independent appraisal. The site boundary changes no land use or regulatory authorities.

Note:  Skookum Inlet NAP is on Little Skookum Inlet about 17 miles northwest of Olympia, WA, off of Highway 101 and near the town of Kamilche.

Information about the proposal is at: www.dnr.wa.gov/skookum-inlet-natural-area-preserve

Written comments will be accepted until close of business on April 29, 2022, at: Washington State Department of Natural Resources, ATTN: Proposed NAP Boundary Expansion, PO Box 47014, Olympia, WA 98504-7014, or via email to AMPD@nulldnr.wa.gov with the subject line “Proposed NAP Boundary Expansion – Skookum Inlet.”

Coronavirus Considerations: DNR encourages written testimony from interested parties. In-person attendance at the hearing is not required to testify about the boundary expansion proposal; written testimony is equivalent to in-person, verbal testimony. DNR will strive to provide a clean, appropriately distanced safe environment for those choosing to attend the hearing. At this time (March 29, 2022) masks are encouraged, but not required.