Miller Peninsula State Park, situated on the east end of Clallam County in Washington State, is a paradise of quiet. It is an intact, nearly 3000-acre forest reclaiming its days of old growth with miles of trails and three acres of beach. There are gorgeous views of Discovery Bay and Protection Island from some of the many trails that are located in the park. On trails, you might spy under leaves a western toad or a northwestern salamander. In spring, wild rhododendrons, trilliums, and mushrooms are abundant. You definitely will see numerous wetlands – large and small. On rare occasions, you might spot a cougar or a bobcat, and a black bear might wander into the forest. It is an ecosystem to preserve.

So why would Washington State Parks and Recreation want to change this? Parks’ staff are trained to develop parks, pretty much in cookie-cutter style with lots of campgrounds, boating and other amenities. However, they also have options for natural preserves and heritage parks that provide passive, day-use enjoyment. Parks’ staff is considering carving up Miller Peninsula State Park for hundreds of campsites, a lodge, overnight cabins, zip lines, rock climbing, and more despite the fact that existing state parks are underfunded and in need of repair. All of these amenities will be costly and much less affordable to those with lower incomes.

The day-use Miller Peninsula State Park must be protected in its natural state.

Please write our state elected representatives and senator in the 24th District telling them to protect Miller Peninsula State Park in its natural state and not fund Parks to develop it.

Representative Mike Chapman, Chair
Rural Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources
132B Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia WA 98504-0600
mike.chapman@leg.wa.gov

Senator Kevin Van De Wege
Chair, Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee,
212 John A. Cherberg Building
PO Box 40424
Olympia WA 98504-0424
kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov

Representative Steve Tharinger
Chair. House Capital Budget Committee
JLOB 314
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA
98504-0600
Steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov