Updated Draft Oct 26 2006

November 20, 2006

Ranger Colleen Hawley

Lake Easton State Parks

Washington State Park’s Department

Dear Colleen and Colleagues:

The goal of this application is to request a permit for 1) placement of a temporary structure on State Parks land at Snoqualmie Pass, within close vicinity to the Ironhorse trail, near the Hyak SnoPark and/or 2) use of the Hyak mobile home residence. The structure would be used by the Snoqualmie Nordic Club (SNC), a non-profit cross-country skiing club, for both club- and community- related activities. In this cover letter and application, we present:

• Mission and history of SNC

(found in Attachment A)

• Specifications of the request: placement of a temporary structure along the Ironhorse trail

(found in Attachment B, Form P&R 0-34 items 8-Project Description and 9- Location)

• SNC’s contributions to building community

(found in Attachment B, Form P&R 0-34 items 10,-Project Justification and Attachment C)

• How cooperation with SNC will help achieve the Centennial Performance Goals (found in Attachment B, Form P&R 0-34 items 10,-Project Justification)

• How the SNC can offer additional support to Parks Department staff for increased safety and improved service in the Snoqualmie Pass area

(found in Attachment B, Form P&R 0-34 items 10,-Project Justification)

The vibrant Nordic community at Snoqualmie Pass could not enjoy their sport without the Washington State Parks Department’s contributions of providing excellent trails at Snoqualmie Pass. SNC members seek to actively work with the Parks Department for the mutual benefit of both organizations. We look forward to hearing a positive response from you. In the meantime, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Marla Husnik Robin Stacy

President, Snoqualmie Nordic Club Treasurer, Snoqualmie Nordic Club

marlajh@aol.com robin.stacy@comcast.net

206-667-5633 (office) 206-372-4118 (cell)

206-484-4628 (cell)

Attachment A. Mission and history of SNC

The SNC, founded in 1997, was formed to develop and assist Nordic skiing in the Snoqualmie Pass area. The club is a non-profit organization and is registered with the State of Washington and the United States Ski Association. The SNC is comprised of members of all ages from throughout the local area and maintains an open membership policy. Currently, the SNC roster contains approx. 50 single adults and/or families equating to approx. 100 total members.

Qualified SNC members provide both classic and skate-ski instruction to the public for all levels of adult and juniors throughout the Pacific Northwest region. In addition, Club members take part in activities to improve their skiing while engaging in educational and community-building activities such as wax clinics, dryland training, social events, trips to skiing destinations, family ski outings, and more. The club also supports a junior racing program by providing coaching, racing attire and financial support for travel to Pacific Northwest Ski Association regional and national competitions.

Attachment B. Form P&R 0-34 application

1. Park

Lake Easton (Hyak SnoPark) 2. Date

November 19, 2006

3. Manager/Ranger Colleen Hawley

4. Region Priority

5. Project Control No.

6. Funding Source

7. Requisition Park 034 No.

8. Project Description See Detail Description below

9. Project Location See Detail Description below

10. Project Justification See Detail Description below

11. Labor Services Required See Detail Description below

12. Materials List/Cost estimate See Detail Description below

13. Equipment required No equipment is required

14. Contract cost:

15. Per Diem Amount:

16. Operating Expense

17. Estimated Starting Date: See Detail Description Below

18. Completion Date:

19. TOTAL PROJECT COST:

20. DISPOSITION

Disposition By:

Date: (1)

Capital Project (2)

M & O (3)

Planned Maintenance (4)

Disapproved (5)

Vol./Part.

21. COMMENTS

22. PROJECT REVIEW

SENT TO INITIAL DATE COMMENTS

Detail description of points from application form 0-34

8. Project Description

The goal of this application is to request a permit for:

1. Placement of a temporary structure on State Parks land at Snoqualmie Pass, within close vicinity to the Ironhorse trail, near the Hyak SnoPark. Potential structure scenarios the SNC would like to explore are a winter tent/yurt or other portable solid structure that could be temporarily placed adjacent to the Ironhorse trail a few kilometers east or on the south side of the Hyak SnoPark parking lot. And/or,

2. Use of the Hyak mobile home residence (either the sunroom only or the entire building), located in the SE corner of the Hyak SnoPark parking lot.

Ideally, as multiple options exist for a structure, we hope the Parks Department will see this request as favorable and engage with us in more formal discussions as to the most appropriate and beneficial solution for both parties.

9. Location

Suggested location for scenarios 1 and 2 are shown in Figure 1.

FIGURE 1 HERE

Figure 1. Scenario 1- A temporary structure could be placed either on the south side of the Hyak SnoPark parking lot (1A) or along the Ironhorse trail (f.ex. 1-3 km east of the Hyak SnoPark, 1B). Scenario 2. Location of the Hyak mobile home residence (2).

10. Project Justification

To continue its mission to promote the sport of Nordic skiing, the SNC strives for a visible and consistent presence near groomed Nordic ski trails within the Snoqualmie Pass area. The SNC would like to build a working relationship with the Washington State Parks Department, with use of land for a central meeting location such as at the Hyak SnoPark, in order to achieve this goal.

Former SNC club facility no longer available. The SNC has had permission to use a room at the Summit at Snoqualmie Old Milwaukee lodge since 2000. Recently, due to an increased need for lodge space by Summit staff for revenue generation, the space is no longer available for use by SNC members. Without a central facility near groomed trails allocated for club meetings, storage of gear, and social gatherings, it will be much more difficult for SNC members to contribute to community building in the Snoqualmie Pass area, as it has in the past (described below).

SNC’s contributions to building community. The SNC has a history of contributing to community-building events, such as:

o Adult Nordic skate and classic clinics open to the public (1999 to 2006).

o Community spirit building and social activities. Examples include social potlucks and two successful 2006 bake sales held at the Summit Nordic Center which were open to the public (see Attachment C). In Scandinavia skiing to a destination offering treats and warm drinks is a common social activity. The SNC would like to continue promoting this community activity with the cooperation of the Parks Department.

o Volunteer efforts such as trail clearing (Cabin Creek area in cooperation with the Kongsberger Nordic Ski Club). SNC would additionally volunteer their efforts to the Parks Department in activities such as creation/improvement of new trails to link existing trail networks (f.ex. could improve linkage of Ironhorse with Mt. Cathrine loop or other areas in need of improvement) in the Snoqualmie Pass area.

o Guided tours (moonlight or daytime) and family ski events offered by some Club members.*

o Wax clinics*

o Dryland training in Seattle*

o An informal network to share information regarding equipment performance and availability.

o Since 1997, many SNC junior members competed in regional PNSA (Pacific Northwest Ski Association) races. Several juniors also qualified for and competed in USSA (United States Ski Association) National competitions.

o Workouts for competitive skiers on and off the snow throughout the year.

o Demos and recruitment of new club members through informational meetings with youths involved in rowing, Boy Scouts of America, YMCA (youth exposition day) and other youth organizations. In addition, advertising for club members takes place through school newsletters, articles in local papers (see attached article), the club’s internet website (www.snoqualmienordic.org), word of mouth and through visibility on the ski trails (club members have easily identifiable club jackets).

*Currently offered mainly to club members but could be made open to the public

How cooperation with SNC will help achieve the Centennial Performance Goals

The SNC strongly supports building a long-term relationship with the Washington State Park’s Department to promote the healthy sport of Nordic skiing in the Snoqualmie Pass area. The SNC has actively sought this relationship to the Parks Department through informal communications with rangers Todd Stiles and Colleen Hawley. In addition, SNC members Chris Caviezel and Don Brooks have been actively pursuing membership on the SnoPark advisory committees.

Our request is aligned with the Washington State Parks Department 2013 Goals:

o Partnering with citizens/volunteers: A partnership with the SNC will create opportunities for broadening the use of the SnoParks by the public. Specifically, the SNC membership would greatly enjoy the opportunity to act as stewards of the land in the Hyak SnoPark area. With a strong community-based club, such as the SNC, present on a regular basis, more opportunities exist for regular maintenance of existing trails and development of additional trails.

o Promoting health and learning: There is great value in promoting a sustainable, lifelong cardiovascular sport to people of all ages particularly in light of the current obesity epidemic. The SNC regularly recruits new members and promotes the sport for youths and adults in the greater Seattle area. SNC proposes to further emphasize the benefits of Nordic skiing to personal health, and the advantages of learning about the outdoors in future SNC programs.

o Promoting community events: SNC promotes an increased cohesiveness within the Snoqualmie Pass Nordic ski community through events such as their 2006 Bake Sales, family ski outings and guided tours, clinics, etc. These events brought skiers together in a setting encouraging social interaction and comradery. The SNC membership is eager to continue its promotion of such community events.

The SNC can offer additional support to Parks Department staff for increased safety and improved service in the Snoqualmie Pass area.

The SNC offers a constant presence on the Nordic trails of the Snoqualmie Pass area. Members are experienced in winter safety and can assist with injuries, calling for aid when needed, identifying hazardous areas or missing signs, notifying rangers of rockslides or fallen trees and helping to improve trails. Members can provide extra eyes and ears for Park rangers and even relay information gathered from the general public.

11. Labor Services Required

1. If placement of a temporary structure is approved, no labor or services would be required of the Parks Department.

2. If use of the Hyak mobile home residence is approved, the only labor/services required would be providing propane gas. The SNC would pay the bunkhouse rate to cover utilities, repair a damaged wall and conduct general maintenance of the structure.

12. Materials List/Cost Estimate

1. If placement of a temporary structure is approved, no material expenses would be incurred by the Parks Department. The SNC would pay for a temporary structure and warming stove. A lightweight portable structure for placement along the John Wayne Trail runs from $500 - $5000 depending on the model. A more solid structure for placement on the south side of the Hyak SnoPark parking lot is estimated at approximately $2100 depending on the model. A portable stove would cost approximately $250 – $500.

2. If use of the Hyak mobile home residence is approved, no material expenses would be incurred by the Parks Department. The SNC volunteers to repair a damaged wall and estimate the cost at $100 for sheetrock, drywall mud and paint.

17. Estimated Starting Date

We request an estimated starting date for this project of December 15, 2006, with use of land or facilities lasting until April 15, 2007. We suggest a review of our cooperative agreement at the end of this period to evaluate the option for continued collaboration with the Parks Department in the coming years.

3. Attachment C. 2006 Bake Sale article from Kittitas Tribune