PD-17-00001 Marian Meadows Full Record with Index (2)

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Marian Meadows Rezone and Subdivision Final Environmental Impact Statement 3-110 corner of the site and also intersects informal trails on old logging roads on WNF lands that connect to the site. These trails are closed to motorized use. (WNF 2009a) Off-road vehicle (ORV) use on federal lands is governed by Executive Order 11644 of Feb. 8, 1972, which requires federal agencies to establish policies and regulations to ensure that the use of ORVs on public lands will be controlled and directed so as to protect the resources of those lands, to promote the safety of all users of those lands, and to minimize conflicts among the various uses of those lands. A concern expressed by the City of Roslyn is the use of ORVs on their watershed within the National Forest and potential impacts of erosion on water quality. The Forest Service is currently developing a Motorized Travel Management program. After adoption, off-road or off trail use of ORVs or snowmobiles would be prohibited as well as use on restricted trails. The current proposal would provide for ORV use in the vicinity only of Forest Service 4818 along the east side of Lake Kachess (WNF 2009b) which would prohibit use of the existing BPA transmission line informal trails on Forest Service lands. Local Parks and Recreation Facilities There are no County-owned parks or County-owned open spaces within the vicinity. However, there are numerous recreational opportunities accessible from the project site or within a short distance. For example, there are numerous designated fishing locations noted by Kittitas County within the area. Easton School District provides a playground on the south side of I-90, in the Easton townsite, which is available to local residents for recreation when not used by the school. This facility, however, is separated from the site by several miles and I-90. Kittitas County Park and Recreation District No. 1, also known as the Upper County Park District, was formed in 2005. The district currently includes the area of the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District, except the Teanaway and Swauk areas. It has proposed to expand into the Teanaway, Swauk, and Easton areas, which requires voter approval. The district has adopted a Park and Recreation Comprehensive Plan that was accepted by the state Recreation and Conservation office to qualify for state and federal grant programs. The district has applied for grant funding to continue detailed planning into a second phase that will make more detailed plans for potential trail systems within the district, including the Easton and Teanaway areas. The district has not yet developed facilities (Musso 2008). Washington State Parks There are two parks that are owned and maintained by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC). In addition, WSPRC maintains a system of winter recreation facilities in the project area, including Sno-Park parking areas that provide access to trails for snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and a variety of winter sports. Lake Easton State Park is located less than 1 mile southwest of the project site, surrounding Lake Easton, adjacent to the south side of I-90. The park provides year-round activities, ranging from weekly interpretive programs during the summer to cross-country skiing during the winter.