A proposal by Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create Washington’s first freshwater aquatic reserve at unique Lake Kapowsin will be discussed in an open house meeting Tuesday, Dec. 2. DNR will provide information about its aquatic reserves program and will be seeking public input on the proposal.
Lake Kapowsin is a rare, undeveloped Puget Sound lowland lake formed when the Electron mud flow surged down Mount Rainier and dammed Kapowsin Creek 500 years ago. That mud dam helped create an unusual submerged cedar forest beneath the lake’s surface. The 512-acre lake is important habitat for fish and other water-dependent species.
“Designating Lake Kapowsin as an aquatic reserve allows for greater opportunities to preserve this unique place and creates more opportunities for the public to truly enjoy and appreciate it,” said Roberta Davenport, aquatic reserves manager for DNR.
Meeting details
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. December 2, 2014
Place: Kapowsin Elementary School multipurpose room
104512 264th Street East Graham WA
This meeting follows an October session about the proposal for state-owned aquatic lands at Lake Kapowsin, in eastern Pierce County. A discussion on the proposal will follow a presentation about the reserve, building on contributions from the October meeting. The public is encouraged to share knowledge about local history, fish and wildlife habitat and sightings, and share their ideas about DNR management of the proposed reserve.
Through its management of state-owned aquatic lands, DNR supports navigation, public access, and other water-dependent uses. DNR also manages and authorizes utility easements and outfalls, marinas, docks, net pens for fin fish culture, and energy projects located on state-owned aquatic lands.
Aquatic reserves do not affect fishing, hunting or private property
Designation of an aquatic reserve does not affect recreational fishing and hunting, which are managed by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Nor does the reserve designation restrict access to fishing, boating or hunting. A reserve would include the public aquatic lands at Lake Kapowsin. It would not include private shorelands, tribal lands or private property.
When designating an area an aquatic reserve, DNR develops a site-specific management plan with the local community to guide management and specify uses in the reserve.
DNR: Steward of state aquatic lands
DNR is steward of about 2.6 million acres of state-owned lands under marine and fresh waters of the state—managed as a public trust for all Washingtonians. DNR strives for a balance of public benefits for all the people of the state, which include encouraging public use and access, fostering water-dependent uses, ensuring environmental protection, and using renewable resources, among other benefits.
