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Appendix llf <br />DEVELOPMENT OF THE WASHINGTON STATE HORSE PARK A 'I`HORITY <br />The history of the Washington State Horse Park Authority .is succinctly summarized in a <br />January 16, 1998 memo From Cleve Pinnix, Director of the Washington State Parks and <br />Recreation Commission: <br />In 9990 the State Parks and Recreation Commission acquired land adjacent to Lewis <br />and Clark State Park for development of an equestrian facility. Subsequent detailed <br />evaluation determined that the amount of wetlands on the property made it unsuitable <br />for an equestrian facility. The property remains in Parks ownership. <br />The Commission next authorized staff to hire a planning oonsultant to design a <br />schematic master pian sitemattve for an 1,120 acre site near the town of Ethel, on <br />Highway 12 about nine miles east of interstate 5. The Commission approved the <br />consultant's recommended plan in January 1993. Staff was. also authorized to begin <br />aequldng needed land through use of funds previously designated for a horse park <br />facility and through public-private land exchange authority. Staff was also authorized to <br />work with private parties to develop support for a legislave package for equestrian <br />center development through a quasi -governmental entity to be chartered by the <br />legislature. Land acquisition was conditioned upon receiving legislative authorization <br />for the managing and -development entity by September 30,1994, a deadline later <br />extended to September 30, 1995. Because several of the landowners were unwilling to <br />sell their land the project stalled. <br />On May 1, 1995 the Governor signed SSB 5403, creating the Washington Horse Paris Authority. <br />59 <br />