KITSAP COUNTY PARKS PORT GAMBLE FOREST HERITAGE PARKRESOURCE STEWARDSHIP & RECREATIONAL ACCESS PLANEXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We are the stewards of the Forest and the Shore!

Our goal is to protect and enhance these forested

uplands, shorelands and tidelands, where native

plants and wildlife can flourish for generations.

Our goal is to provide for public enjoyment and

recreation opportunities, in a manner that respects

those inherent resources and values.

STEWARDSHIP GUIDING PRINCIPLESProtect, Restore and Enhance Natural Resources: 1. Protect, restore and enhance Natural Resources;sensitivenaturalareas, plant species and wildlife habitat 2.Worktowardaforestrestorationregimefor foresthealthandhabitatdiversity;create aforestwithvariedtreeageandspecies, andsuitablefordiversewildlifehabitat 3.Protecttheaquiferrechargefunction 4. Protect and enhance shoreline habitat; includingshellfishandforagefish 5.ProtectthewaterqualityofPortGambleBay throughmanagementofshorelineanduplands 6.UnderstandtheimportanceofthePacific flyway(avian“highway”)andthis landscape’skeyrole 7. Plan for stewardship and public use as part ofthelarge-scalesurroundinglandscape

Respect Historical and Future Cultural Integrity: 1.Preserveculturalandhistoricalaspects ofthelandsandshore,inclusiveofallTribes; recognizeandprotectpopulationsof medicinalplantsandotherculturally significantflora 2.PreserveandenhancetheState ScenicHighway104viewshedalong theHeritageForestalignment

Promote Responsible Recreation and Public Use of the Park: 1.MeetrecreationalneedsoftheRegion 2.Developacohesivetrailsystem;createtrail loops,trailsclose-in,andextensivetraveltrails 3.Developsafepublicaccesspointsand trailheadparking 4.Planforconnectingcorridorsforrecreation trails[SoundtoOlympics)andwildlifetravel 5.Recognizeandplanningfor“watertrails” aspartofKitsapPeninsulaWatertrailsystem 6.ExplorelandadjacenttotheShorelineBlock whichisintendedforamountainbikeride center,andworktointegratethisactivity areawithpark’snaturalresourcesprotection 7.Engageallusers/activitiestogetthem excitedaboutnature-educationand conservationthroughrecreation

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LANDSCAPE CLASSIFICATIONSThisplanincludesaLandscapeClassificationsMapthatrecognizesoutstandingandsensitiveresourceareas,andoutlinesareaswhererecreationalactivitiesareconsideredcompatible.

NA = Natural AreaAcceptable Land use: Let natural processes prevail.Observeandmonitorhealth.Ecosystemrestorationactivitiesonly.AllowableActivities:Authorizedaccessbypermit.Managementactivitiestopromotehealthandlongevity;ex.invasivespeciescontrol. Nodevelopedrecreationalaccessoruse.

C = Conservation AreaAcceptableLanduse:Prescriptivehabitatrestoration.Monitorecosystemhealth, invasivespeciesmanagementandcontrol.AllowableActivities:Prohibitedorganizedlargegroupactivities.NOpets,livestock,bicycles.Educationalandinterpretiveactivitieswhich haveminimalresourceintrusionandimpact.Limitedrecreationalharvestactivitiesand thosewhichsustainandcomplement resourcehealthanddiversity;ex.shellfish,berries,brushpicking.

PR = Passive RecreationAcceptableLanduse:Managelandscape forrecreationalsafetyandlimitedimpact use.Determineacarrying-capacityfortrailaccess and use. AllowableActivities:Somerecreationalharvestoftraditionalvegetation,lowimpacttrails,manage“hazardtrees”inconcentratedareas,someconditionalcommercialharvestforstandmaintenance.NOlargerecreationalevents.Viewpoints.Publicamenities;ex.restrooms,interpretiveandeducationalactivities.Conditionaluse:Leasheddogwalkingmaybepermitted,dependingonresourceprotectionrequirements.

AR = Active RecreationAcceptableLanduse:Anareaofhighlevelofrecreationalactivitiesandfacilities.Modificationoflandscapeisallowablewiththeprotectionofsensitiveandcriticalresourceareas.AllowableActivities:Nature-basedrecreationactivitiesandfacilities.Eventsareallowablewithpermitandscheduling.Largeeventimpactsneedtobemitigated.Provideforvisitorcomfortamenities.Highcapacitydesignedtrails,parking.Dogwalking,on-leash--Ok.Dogwalkingwithequestrianuseisallowablewithvoicecontrol.

SP = Specialized RecreationAcceptable Land Use: Dependent on recreationalexperienceandactivitydemands.AllowableActivities:Dependentonrecreationalneeds.ex.;bikerecreationareas,amphitheaters,modelairplaneflyfields,non-motorizedorganizedeventssuchasruns,walks,bike rallies,watertrailactivities.

Conditional Uses:Allowancesaremadeforresourceuseforrecreationandpublicaccessthatarenotidentifiedinthelandclassificationsandmaybedeterminedanacceptable“conditionaluse”,onacase-by-casebasis,throughaKitsapCountyParksplanningprocess.ThesewillbenotedinaParkManagementPlan.

Forest Restoration Activities: As a result of historicsilviculturalpracticesonthispropertydirectedtocommercialtimberharvest;thecurrentforeststructureandcompositionhaslimiteddiversity,ageclassandunderstorycomplexity.Restorationactivitieswillenhanceforesthealthandhabitatsandmayinclude;restorativethinning,inter-plantingofnativetreespecies,andintroductionofothernativeplants.

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Wildlife Assessment Study Area

Kitsap County Parks

Kitsap County Parks – Pending Purchase

Olympic Property Group Lands

DRAFT Planning Designations (Version 3)Natural Area

Conservation

Passive Recreation

Active Recreation

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RoadsState Highway

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GPS'd Trails

Proposed Sound to Olympics Trail

Proposed Shoreline Trail

Topo Map100' Contours

20' Contours

USE OF THIS MAP IMPLIES THE USER’SAGREEMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

Kitsap County disclaims any warrantee ofmerchantability or warrantee of fitness of this map forany particular purpose, either expressed or implied. Norepresentation or warranty is made concerning theaccuracy, currency, completeness or quality of datadepicted on this map. Any user of this map assumesall responsibility for the use thereof, and further agreesto hold Kitsap County harmless from and against anydamage, loss, or liability arising from any use of thismap.Imagery Date: Spring, 2012Map Date: 6/1/2015

Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park

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July 13, 2015

PROTECTION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL & HISTORIC RESOURCES

Ongoing Resource Stewardship Issue: Tocontinuestewardshipoftheseparklandsandapplicationofthemanagementobjectivestherewillneedtobeaconcertedeffortbylocalcitizens,interestgroups(recreationalandconservation),andtheTribes,tostayinvolvedandrecommendmoreprescriptivemanagementactionsandfundingpossibilities.

Management Objectives:CreateaPortGambleForestHeritageParkStewardshipGrouptofurthertheresourcemanagementandrecreationalneedsinthisarea.CreateacadreofinformedStewardsindevelopingaseriesofStewardshipCertificationCoursestoinstructvolunteersinthevariousaspectsofresourceassessment,monitoring,management,andrecreationplanninganddevelopment.Parkstaffandvolunteerstewardswillcontinuetomonitorandreportresourceissues;vandalism,unauthorizedparkuse,garbagedumping,anddevelopclean-upevents.

Native Vegetation vs. Invasives Issue: Selectiveforestrybeganin1878.Inthe1920’stimberproductionbeganinearnest.Themajorityoftheacreagewasclear-cutthenreplantedwithamonocultureofDouglasfirtreesplantedcloselytogethertomaximumfuturetimber-harvests.Thereby,thepropagationofmanynativetreesspeciesandunderstoryvegetationhasbeenrestricted.

Management Objectives: Identifyandcontrolinvasivevegetationwith thepurposetoenhancenativeplantcommunitiesandcreatemorenaturalwildlifehabitats.Inmanyoftheearliertreeplantationsthetreesarestressed,astheydonothavesufficientspacefornormalgrowthanddevelopment.Forestrytractsaretobemappedandselectivelythinnedtoopenuptheexistingdensetreecanopy,allowinglighttoreachtheforestfloor.Inopeninguptheforestfloor,spaceforunder-plantingswithnativeevergreenanddeciduousspeciessuchascedar,hemlockcascara,alder,bigleafmapleandlargeshrubsincludingosoberry,elderberry,rhododendron,alder,big-leafmaple,canoccur;approximatingtheoriginalforestconditionspriortothe1920’sclear-cutting.

Fish, Wildlife & Habitat Issue: Adense,darkDouglasfirmonocultureforestdoesnotsupportahealthyeco-systemasitdoesnotsupportadiversityofwildlife.Somestreamcrossingsutilizeunder-sizedculvertsthatdonotallowforsalmontomigrateupstream.

Management Objectives: ReplacetheDouglasfirmonoculturebyselectivethinningandre-plantingwithcompatiblenativespeciessuchascedarandhemlock.Replace,orremoveunder-sizedculverts.De-constructunwarrantedandhabitatdegradingtrailsandobsoleteformerloggingroads as appropriate.Designateareaswherethereisnopublicaccesstoprotectwildlifehabitatandsanctuary.Provideinterpretivedisplaysregardingwildlifepopulationsandviewingopportunities.

Streams, Wetlands, and Waterbodies Issue: PortGambleForestHeritageParkhaswetlandsandnumerousstreamsthatemptyintoGambleBay.Impactstothebaybeginupstreamandareoftenimpactedbytheproximitytotrailsandpublicuse.Parkvisitorssuchashikers,mountainbikers,wildlifeviewers,dogwalkers,andhorsebackriderscontributetowaterqualitydegradation.

Management Objectives:Considerallwetlands,streamsandspringsasintegraltotheentirewatershedecosystem,aquiferrecharge,andinsupportoffish-bearingstreamsandwaterdependentcritters.Mapallfish-bearingstreams.Monitorwaterqualityinwetlandsandstreams.Determinetrailusagealongwithproximitytostreamsandwetlands,andcategorizewhichstreamsaretypedasfishbearing.Applyprescriptivemeasuressuchasculvertortrailremoval.

Shorelands, Tidelands & Shellfish Issue: ThePortGambleHeritageForestParkincludes1.5milesofshorelandsandtidelands.Ninetypesofshellfishareharvestedalongsimilarshorelinesinthisarea--WashingtonStateDepartmentofFishandWildlife(WDFW)Region8.Theshellfishpopulationhasbeenlargelyun-tappedforrecreationalharvestwhileinprivatelandownership.CurrentlytherearenoStateharvestsurveys,regulationsorseasonstogovernrecreationorcommerciallyapprovedharvest.

Management Objectives: Protecttheshorelandsandtidelandsfromuplandimpacts,garbage,andpollutants,andpromotethelong-termhealthofthePortGambleBay.RecommendthatKitsapCountyenterintoashellfishmanagementagreementanddevelopshellfishresourcemanagementplanswiththeWDFWandaffectedTribes.

RESOURCE & PUBLIC USE ISSUES | MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Encouragethepropagationandprotectionofnativeshellfishstockandhabitatforforagefish.Provideaccesstotheshorelineinapprovedanddevelopedtrailsandparkingareas.Provideforon-sitepubliceducationandinterpretationoftheshellfishresources,licenses,harvestseasonsandregulationsandresponsibleresource stewardship.

Forest Restoration and ManagementIssue: PortGambleForestHeritageParkhasapproximately800acresofdenselystockedconiferplantationsrangingbetween23and50yearsold.Thisconditionistheproductofpastmanagementpracticesanddoesn’tadequatelyprovideforthelongtermforesthealthandhabitatpotentialforthisnewpark.

Management Objectives: EstablishaForestStewardshipCommitteethatwillhelpdirectforestenhancementplansandoperationsbasedoncountyapprovedguidelines.Userestorationthinningintheseoverstockedstandstoimproveforesthealthandrestorewildlife habitat.

Commercial Vegetation HarvestingIssue: Theharvestingoftimber,brushandotherspecialforestproductshaslongbeenapartofthetraditionalandculturalhistoryonthelandsthatincludethePortGambleForestHeritagePark.

Management Objectives: WithintheboundaryoftheHeritagePark,thepracticeofconventionaltimberharvestinghasended.ForestthinningforfuturehabitatenhancementandspeciesdiversificationwillbedirectedbyaForestStewardshipCommittee.

Harvestingofbrushandotherspecialforestproductsthataresustainablemaybeallowedincertainareas,andcanprovideasourceofrevenuetosupportfurtherstewardshipactivities.Permitswillberequired.

Wildfire ProtectionIssue: Wildfireisarealityandtominimizethatriskduringperiodsofhighfiredanger,PopeResourceshasannuallyclosedthePortGambleUplandsthatsurroundthePortGambleForestHeritagePark.

Management Objectives: Bearesponsibleneighbor:developandimplementawildfirepreventionplanforthePortGambleForestHeritageParkthatprotectsboththeparkandsurroundingprivatepropertyowners.CountyParkswillworkwithlocalandregionalwildfiremanagementagenciestodevelopaplanforfirepreventionandfiresuppressionresponse.

Historical / Cultural ResourcesIssue: PortGambleForestandthesurroundingprivatetimberlandshavearichandvariedhistoryofcommercialuse.Nativeinhabitantsusedthepropertiesforthousandsofyearsforsubsistencegatheringofnaturalresourcesfromthe shoreline and uplands.

Management Objectives: Highlightareasofpasthistoricalactivities throughinterpretivemediaandsignage. Include reference to Tribal subsistence use, railroadsandpierconstruction,loggingand milloperationsandtimberlandmanagement.Heightenawarenessofthepastland-use andimpacts,andcomparewithcurrent resourcemanagement.

WorkwiththePortGambleMuseum topresentinformationtothepublic.Developsignageandinterpretivetrails where appropriate.

PUBLIC ACCESS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES Public Access & Events Issue: Thepreviouslandowners,PopeResourcesCompanyallowedpublicaccessof the interior lands for hikers, equestrians and bikesviaexistingloggingroads.Publicaccesstothe1.5-milesofshorelinehasbeenprohibited.Overtheyearsthemountainbikecommunityhasorganizednumerouseventswithpermissionfromthepreviouslandownersthatattractedhundredsofparticipantsatatime.

Management Objectives: Parkstaffandvolunteerstewardswillmonitorimpactsoflargegroupactivitiesontheprotectionofinherentresourcesandrecreationalexperiencesforallparkusers.KitsapCountywillconsiderthenatureoflargesocialgatheringsandtheirneeds,aswellasrespectforrecreationistsdesiringareasofnature-solitude.Eventimpactsontheresourcewillberemediedormitigated.SpecialEventsmayrequireaCountyParksDepartmentPermit,perCountyPolicy.UserfeesmaybechargedperCountyParkPolicyandKitsapCountyParkFees&ChargesScheduleasapprovedbytheKitsapCountyBoardofCommissioners.

RESOURCE & PUBLIC USE ISSUES | MANAGEMENT APPROACHTheShorelinewillbeopenedfornon-motorizeduseatselectedlocationswheretrailheadparkingcanbeprovidedandsafepassagetothetidelandscanoccur.Moreplanningisneededfordesignationofofficialwatertraillaunchareasandapprovedday-useactivityareas.

Publicaccesswillbelimitedtodesignatedtrailheadsanddevelopedparkingareas,andsignedappropriately.ParkswillworkwiththeWAStateDepartmentofTransportationtowarntravelersalongSR104astoparkingandtrailcrossingsandpotentialvegetationpruningtoprovideroadwayvistasofPortGambleBay.Accommodationswillbemadeforinfrequent“fly-overs”bytheradiocontrolledmodelaircraftthathaveatake-offandlandingfieldadjacentto the north of the parklands. This use will be monitoredforresourceimpactsandanyfuturevegetationmodificationneeds.Othermotorizedaircraft,including“drones”arenotpermittedovertheparklandsatthistimewithoutauthorizationandpermit.

Recreational Trail Development and ManagementIssue: Uponacquiringthispropertyasaparktherewerenodesignedtrailheads,parking,CountyParksignage,trailsignage,orapprovedrecreationalroutes.Over40milesofforestedtrailsandroadwaytrailscurrentlyexistintheparkandmanythatareconnectedtoPopeResource’sforestlandpropertiestothenorth,southandeastofthePark’sShorelineBlock.Newtrailsandtrailtechnicalstructures,designedfortrailbikes

arecurrentlybeingconstructedwithoutsafestandardsorpermissionbyCountyParks.Foreventsandtrailemergencies,thereneedstobeconsistentnamesandlocationsfortrailandroads.Thegeneralpublicwillneedorientationandrules.

Management Objectives:Worktoproviderecreationalaccessandactivityareasforallnon-motorizedrecreationistswhicharecompatiblewiththelandmanagementobjectives.CountyParkswillgivepreferenceforafuturetrailconnectionandcontinuedtrailroutethroughthePortGambleForestHeritageParkfortheregionalSoundtoOlympicsTrail[STO)forashared-use,active-recreationusecorridor.DisplaymapswithcurrentnamesandnumbersoninformationalkiosksatCountytrailheadparking.PostmapsonCountywebsite.

Anyproposednewtrailrequiresawrittenandmappedtrailapplicationandapprovalprocess.Removeanytrailstructuresorrouteswhichareunsafe,notbuilttostandards,orimpactwildlifehabitat,orsensitivevegetation.

Recreational Safety/Behavior/Rules

Issue: Theformerforestlandownerallowedforpublicaccessonloggingroadsandmultipletrailsandpublicusethroughout.Theseactivitieswereminimallyregulatedandpublicaccessonlycontrolledduringtimbermanagementandloggingoperations,andhigh-firedanger.AnexpectedincreaseanddiversityofrecreationalusewillincreaseimpactstothesepubliclandsandCountyParkswillrequirenewrulesandenforcement.

Management Objectives: Developorientationandway-findingsignagethroughouttheproperty.Developparkrulestodiscourageunapproveduse(firearms,hunting,un-authorizedvehicleaccess,camping,etc.)anddirectresponsible usebyallusers.Workwithlocallawenforcementagenciesandemergencyresponseorganizationstoestablishemergencyresponsecommunications,directions,andprotocolforsuchinstancesas;wildlandfires,injuries,vandalism,etc.

Economic InterestsIssue: ManyoftheexistingandfuturerecreationaleventshaveasignificantpositivecontributiontothelocalPortGambleeconomyandsurroundingareabusinesses.

Management Objectives: Continuetosupportandlookforopportunitiestoencouragerecreationevents,trainingsandeducationaleventsthathelptopromotebusinessesinrelatedservices.

Future Property AcquisitionIssue: MuchoftheareaunderstudywiththisStewardshipPlan,andofimportancetoresourcestewardshipandrecreationopportunities,hasyettobeacquiredforCountyParkmanagement.

Management Objectives:TheCountywillcontinuetopursuefundingandotheropportunitiestoacquiresignificantportionsofthePortGambleForestlandscape,contiguoustotheHeritageParkandwhichwillcontributetothegoalsandobjectivesofthisplan.

TRIBES: PortGambleTribe,LauraPrice|SuquamishTribe,JayZischke

PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS:OlympicPropertyGroup,JulieMcAfee|Neighbor,MarkSchorn

CONSERVATION COMMUNITY:KitsapAudubon,JudyWillott|GreatPeninsulaConservancy,DebbieEngel,KateKuhlman

RECREATION INTERESTS:KitsapCountyParksandRecreationBoard,AlvinAndrus,Chair|OlympicOutdoorCenter,John

Kuntz|NorthKitsapTrailAssociation,LindaBerryMaraist,|EvanStoll|RadioControlledAirplanes,RonBruhn|Evergreen

MountainBikeAlliance,BrianKilpatrick|BackcountryHorseman,Elaine&JimDavis

PARK STAFF & TECHNICAL ADVISORS: StevenStarlund,ParksandOpenSpacePlanner|ArnoBergstrom,ParksForester|

DoriLeckner,ParksSuperintendent|RicCatron,ParksProjectsCoordinator|LucretiaWinkler,MappingConsultant|David

Nash,KitsapCountyGISAnalyst|T.J.Nedrow,WADOT|StephenPadua,KitsapCountyRegionalTrailPlanner|PhilStruck,

MikeHall,ParametrixConsultants

KITSAP COUNTY: ParksDirector,JimDunwiddie

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: RobertGelder,CharlotteGarrido,EdwardE.Wolfe

PlanadoptedbyResolution:July13,2015

REPORT PHOTO CREDITS: Don Willott | Steven Starlund | M. Weiss | Mike Hall

STEWARDSHIP PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE

“Our County Parks staff shares the community’s

appreciation of the concerted efforts of the Forest and

Bay Coalition and aligned organizations in their pursuit

of lands acquisitions to create the Port Gamble Forest

Heritage Park. This public area offers a foundation for

sustainable forest conservation, wildlife habitat, and a

wide range of recreation opportunities. The continued

stewardship efforts and support by those groups and

individuals will enhance our park and open space goals,

into the future. Thanks to all.”

– JIM DUNWIDDIE, KITSAP COUNTY PARKS DIRECTOR

“I appreciate the community’s work in creating this

stewardship plan. It was a pleasure watching the

cooperative support from the various stakeholders and

interest groups. This process can be expanded and/or

replicated for other park properties that may come to

fruition as part of the overall conservation effort.”

– ROBERT GELDER, COMMISSIONER, KITSAP COUNTY DISTRICT 1