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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: August 23, 2021 <br />TOPIC: Yakima River Access at South Thorp Highway <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direction to Staff <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• Recently, staff learned of Yakima River fishing guide launch issues associated with <br />the KOA campground. <br />• Staff has evaluated the existing river access from our South Thorp Highway pit. <br />• Staff has begun discussions with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office regarding the <br />creation of a "permit" or "license" allowing access. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Recent ownership transfer at the KOA campground appears to be causing access issues for <br />local fishing guides. Public Works (PW) has evaluated a request to utilize an existing river <br />access road at the west end of the South Thorp Highway bridge. <br />Recently, the Board authorized placement of honeybees on Flood Control Zone District <br />property prompting the creation of a "license" for site use. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />There are limited opportunities for accessing the Yakima River in lower Kittitas County. The <br />existing access at PW's South Thorp Highway pit was recently evaluated by staff for <br />potential safety improvements. Staff believes the access could be improved supporting two- <br />way traffic for approximately $50,000. The permitting process is not fully understood at this <br />time. Access to the improved roadway could be facilitated by issuance of a license to <br />commercial fish guides. The site has river hazards, and it is expected that only seasoned <br />guides could negotiate river current at the put-out location. Full scale public access is not <br />encouraged by PW. <br />FISCAL IMPACTS: <br />Approximately $50,000 is needed to improve the existing access roadway to two-way traffic. <br />There is sufficient turnaround area at the end of the road for an experienced boater to load a <br />drift boat. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />Exhibit 1: Site Map <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2021 <br />