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Dec 2, 2024 <br /> Thank you MrChaiman <br /> Public recreation access to OURRIVERS is very important to me. I want to <br /> preserve public access to OUR rivers for my grandchildren. <br /> It came to my attention that Kittitas county has purchased land along the <br /> Yakima River Canyon. Since 2017 over $8 million has been invested. <br /> One year ago, I met with the public works director and inquired what is Kittitas <br /> County's public access policy to over 400 acres of Yakima riverfront.?. The <br /> Director stated that he had requested that the Sheriff department not do <br /> enforcement along Stone road. <br /> I have included 50 pages of comment into the record of this public budget <br /> Hearing to support the $500,000 of REET 2 funding for capital recreation <br /> improvements allocated to the 113 fund in the 2025 budget <br /> This comments align with the goals, and strategies in the 2016, Kittitas <br /> county parks, recreation and open space plan ,The 2018 Yakima River public <br /> access plan, the 2021 , Kittitas County parks, recreation and open space <br /> plan, and the amended Kittitas County Comprehensive plan <br /> Kittitas County is not funded to become an operational and maintenance <br /> recreational Provider. The Bureau of Land Management can manage the <br /> recreational opportunities on Kittitas County Yakima River front ownership. <br /> Kittitas County and the Bureau of Land Management are neighbors at Ringer <br /> Loop. Bureau of Land Management has an public access trail through the <br /> retired Yakima RV park. Kittitas County Sheriff provides security under <br /> contract with the Bureau of Land Management in the Yakima River Canyon. <br /> I encourage the Chairman exercise his leadership role on the Commission and <br /> reach out to the Bureau of Land Management and further develop the <br /> relationship to preserve public access to the Yakima River Canyon for my <br /> grandchildren <br /> Pat Kelleher <br />