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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: June 22, 2020 <br />TOPIC: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Potential Use of Stalder Property <br />for a New Boat Launch <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direction to staff regarding communication with City of <br />Ellensburg regarding the relocation of the WDFW South <br />Ringer Road Boat Launch. <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Arden Thomas. <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff to reach out to the City of Ellensburg for including the City in conversations <br />between the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Kittitas County <br />regarding the potential relocation of the South Ringer Road Boat Launch to an alternative <br />site located on County -owned property (formally the Stalder property). <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• The WDFW boat launch at South Ringer Road is a heavily used boat launch site <br />site. <br />Within the Ringer Road vicinity, the Yakima River is experiencing large channel <br />changes, threatening the boat launch. Large wood in the river immediately <br />downstream of the boat launch is a safety hazard for boaters. <br />The Kittitas County Yakima River Public Access Plan identifies the flooding and <br />safety concerns at the South Ringer Loop site and identifies the Thrall Road / <br />Wilson Creek Access site as the first safe access to the Yakima River below Irene <br />Reinhard Park. This site is owned by Kittitas County and is also referred to as the <br />Stalder Property. <br />Kittitas County (Public Works and Sheriff's Office) and WDFW staff have been <br />meeting to discuss the feasibility of locating a boat launch at the Stalder Property. <br />WDFW has determined that there is sufficient space for the site to meet its design <br />criteria and has selected a preferred access route that would continue to utilize <br />South Ringer Road. City of Ellensburg property may need to be crossed to utilize <br />this access. <br />• Staff recommends that these discussions include the City of Ellensburg. <br />Page 1 of 4 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY CON1MISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />