KITSAP COUNTY PARKS PORT GAMBLE FOREST HERITAGE PARK RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP & RECREATIONAL ACCESS PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY We are the stewards of the Forest and the Shore! Our goal is to protect and enhance these forested uplands, shorelands and delands, where nave plants and wildlife can flourish for generaons. Our goal is to provide for public enjoyment and recreaon opportunies, in a manner that respects those inherent resources and values.
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KITSAP COUNTY PARKS PORT GAMBLE FOREST HERITAGE PARK · KITSAP COUNTY PARKS PORT GAMBLE FOREST HERITAGE PARK RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP & RECREATIONAL ACCESS PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY We are
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KITSAP COUNTY PARKS PORT GAMBLE FOREST HERITAGE PARKRESOURCE STEWARDSHIP & RECREATIONAL ACCESS PLANEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We are the stewards of the Forest and the Shore!
Our goal is to protect and enhance these forested
uplands, shorelands and tidelands, where native
plants and wildlife can flourish for generations.
Our goal is to provide for public enjoyment and
recreation opportunities, in a manner that respects
those inherent resources and values.
STEWARDSHIP GUIDING PRINCIPLESProtect, Restore and Enhance Natural Resources: 1. Protect, restore and enhance Natural Resources;sensitivenaturalareas, plant species and wildlife habitat 2.Worktowardaforestrestorationregimefor foresthealthandhabitatdiversity;create aforestwithvariedtreeageandspecies, andsuitablefordiversewildlifehabitat 3.Protecttheaquiferrechargefunction 4. Protect and enhance shoreline habitat; includingshellfishandforagefish 5.ProtectthewaterqualityofPortGambleBay throughmanagementofshorelineanduplands 6.UnderstandtheimportanceofthePacific flyway(avian“highway”)andthis landscape’skeyrole 7. Plan for stewardship and public use as part ofthelarge-scalesurroundinglandscape
Respect Historical and Future Cultural Integrity: 1.Preserveculturalandhistoricalaspects ofthelandsandshore,inclusiveofallTribes; recognizeandprotectpopulationsof medicinalplantsandotherculturally significantflora 2.PreserveandenhancetheState ScenicHighway104viewshedalong theHeritageForestalignment
Promote Responsible Recreation and Public Use of the Park: 1.MeetrecreationalneedsoftheRegion 2.Developacohesivetrailsystem;createtrail loops,trailsclose-in,andextensivetraveltrails 3.Developsafepublicaccesspointsand trailheadparking 4.Planforconnectingcorridorsforrecreation trails[SoundtoOlympics)andwildlifetravel 5.Recognizeandplanningfor“watertrails” aspartofKitsapPeninsulaWatertrailsystem 6.ExplorelandadjacenttotheShorelineBlock whichisintendedforamountainbikeride center,andworktointegratethisactivity areawithpark’snaturalresourcesprotection 7.Engageallusers/activitiestogetthem excitedaboutnature-educationand conservationthroughrecreation
NA = Natural AreaAcceptable Land use: Let natural processes prevail.Observeandmonitorhealth.Ecosystemrestorationactivitiesonly.AllowableActivities:Authorizedaccessbypermit.Managementactivitiestopromotehealthandlongevity;ex.invasivespeciescontrol. Nodevelopedrecreationalaccessoruse.
C = Conservation AreaAcceptableLanduse:Prescriptivehabitatrestoration.Monitorecosystemhealth, invasivespeciesmanagementandcontrol.AllowableActivities:Prohibitedorganizedlargegroupactivities.NOpets,livestock,bicycles.Educationalandinterpretiveactivitieswhich haveminimalresourceintrusionandimpact.Limitedrecreationalharvestactivitiesand thosewhichsustainandcomplement resourcehealthanddiversity;ex.shellfish,berries,brushpicking.
PR = Passive RecreationAcceptableLanduse:Managelandscape forrecreationalsafetyandlimitedimpact use.Determineacarrying-capacityfortrailaccess and use. AllowableActivities:Somerecreationalharvestoftraditionalvegetation,lowimpacttrails,manage“hazardtrees”inconcentratedareas,someconditionalcommercialharvestforstandmaintenance.NOlargerecreationalevents.Viewpoints.Publicamenities;ex.restrooms,interpretiveandeducationalactivities.Conditionaluse:Leasheddogwalkingmaybepermitted,dependingonresourceprotectionrequirements.
AR = Active RecreationAcceptableLanduse:Anareaofhighlevelofrecreationalactivitiesandfacilities.Modificationoflandscapeisallowablewiththeprotectionofsensitiveandcriticalresourceareas.AllowableActivities:Nature-basedrecreationactivitiesandfacilities.Eventsareallowablewithpermitandscheduling.Largeeventimpactsneedtobemitigated.Provideforvisitorcomfortamenities.Highcapacitydesignedtrails,parking.Dogwalking,on-leash--Ok.Dogwalkingwithequestrianuseisallowablewithvoicecontrol.
SP = Specialized RecreationAcceptable Land Use: Dependent on recreationalexperienceandactivitydemands.AllowableActivities:Dependentonrecreationalneeds.ex.;bikerecreationareas,amphitheaters,modelairplaneflyfields,non-motorizedorganizedeventssuchasruns,walks,bike rallies,watertrailactivities.
Forest Restoration Activities: As a result of historicsilviculturalpracticesonthispropertydirectedtocommercialtimberharvest;thecurrentforeststructureandcompositionhaslimiteddiversity,ageclassandunderstorycomplexity.Restorationactivitieswillenhanceforesthealthandhabitatsandmayinclude;restorativethinning,inter-plantingofnativetreespecies,andintroductionofothernativeplants.
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Wildlife Assessment Study Area
Kitsap County Parks
Kitsap County Parks – Pending Purchase
Olympic Property Group Lands
DRAFT Planning Designations (Version 3)Natural Area
Conservation
Passive Recreation
Active Recreation
Undetermined Recreation
Specialized Recreation
RoadsState Highway
Local Road
GPS'd Trails
Proposed Sound to Olympics Trail
Proposed Shoreline Trail
Topo Map100' Contours
20' Contours
USE OF THIS MAP IMPLIES THE USER’SAGREEMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
Kitsap County disclaims any warrantee ofmerchantability or warrantee of fitness of this map forany particular purpose, either expressed or implied. Norepresentation or warranty is made concerning theaccuracy, currency, completeness or quality of datadepicted on this map. Any user of this map assumesall responsibility for the use thereof, and further agreesto hold Kitsap County harmless from and against anydamage, loss, or liability arising from any use of thismap.Imagery Date: Spring, 2012Map Date: 6/1/2015
Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
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PROTECTION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL & HISTORIC RESOURCES
Management Objectives: ReplacetheDouglasfirmonoculturebyselectivethinningandre-plantingwithcompatiblenativespeciessuchascedarandhemlock.Replace,orremoveunder-sizedculverts.De-constructunwarrantedandhabitatdegradingtrailsandobsoleteformerloggingroads as appropriate.Designateareaswherethereisnopublicaccesstoprotectwildlifehabitatandsanctuary.Provideinterpretivedisplaysregardingwildlifepopulationsandviewingopportunities.
Streams, Wetlands, and Waterbodies Issue: PortGambleForestHeritageParkhaswetlandsandnumerousstreamsthatemptyintoGambleBay.Impactstothebaybeginupstreamandareoftenimpactedbytheproximitytotrailsandpublicuse.Parkvisitorssuchashikers,mountainbikers,wildlifeviewers,dogwalkers,andhorsebackriderscontributetowaterqualitydegradation.
Forest Restoration and ManagementIssue: PortGambleForestHeritageParkhasapproximately800acresofdenselystockedconiferplantationsrangingbetween23and50yearsold.Thisconditionistheproductofpastmanagementpracticesanddoesn’tadequatelyprovideforthelongtermforesthealthandhabitatpotentialforthisnewpark.
Historical / Cultural ResourcesIssue: PortGambleForestandthesurroundingprivatetimberlandshavearichandvariedhistoryofcommercialuse.Nativeinhabitantsusedthepropertiesforthousandsofyearsforsubsistencegatheringofnaturalresourcesfromthe shoreline and uplands.
Management Objectives: Highlightareasofpasthistoricalactivities throughinterpretivemediaandsignage. Include reference to Tribal subsistence use, railroadsandpierconstruction,loggingand milloperationsandtimberlandmanagement.Heightenawarenessofthepastland-use andimpacts,andcomparewithcurrent resourcemanagement.
WorkwiththePortGambleMuseum topresentinformationtothepublic.Developsignageandinterpretivetrails where appropriate.
PUBLIC ACCESS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES Public Access & Events Issue: Thepreviouslandowners,PopeResourcesCompanyallowedpublicaccessof the interior lands for hikers, equestrians and bikesviaexistingloggingroads.Publicaccesstothe1.5-milesofshorelinehasbeenprohibited.Overtheyearsthemountainbikecommunityhasorganizednumerouseventswithpermissionfromthepreviouslandownersthatattractedhundredsofparticipantsatatime.
RESOURCE & PUBLIC USE ISSUES | MANAGEMENT APPROACHTheShorelinewillbeopenedfornon-motorizeduseatselectedlocationswheretrailheadparkingcanbeprovidedandsafepassagetothetidelandscanoccur.Moreplanningisneededfordesignationofofficialwatertraillaunchareasandapprovedday-useactivityareas.
Publicaccesswillbelimitedtodesignatedtrailheadsanddevelopedparkingareas,andsignedappropriately.ParkswillworkwiththeWAStateDepartmentofTransportationtowarntravelersalongSR104astoparkingandtrailcrossingsandpotentialvegetationpruningtoprovideroadwayvistasofPortGambleBay.Accommodationswillbemadeforinfrequent“fly-overs”bytheradiocontrolledmodelaircraftthathaveatake-offandlandingfieldadjacentto the north of the parklands. This use will be monitoredforresourceimpactsandanyfuturevegetationmodificationneeds.Othermotorizedaircraft,including“drones”arenotpermittedovertheparklandsatthistimewithoutauthorizationandpermit.
Recreational Trail Development and ManagementIssue: Uponacquiringthispropertyasaparktherewerenodesignedtrailheads,parking,CountyParksignage,trailsignage,orapprovedrecreationalroutes.Over40milesofforestedtrailsandroadwaytrailscurrentlyexistintheparkandmanythatareconnectedtoPopeResource’sforestlandpropertiestothenorth,southandeastofthePark’sShorelineBlock.Newtrailsandtrailtechnicalstructures,designedfortrailbikes