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Here is a paste of what Travis Nichols sent out on the latest update for the Spokane Whitewater Park. Travis writes;
Our last update to this tale was in the Fall of 2009 and since then the update
has gone stale but the project has not. The Washington State government is in
special session, DFW DNR and Shorelines are all working on permits, there is a
new parks board, there is a new parks director, an EIS is still in
consideration, The city struggles to work with grant $, and deadlines loom.
What does all of this mean? The park is still in process but it hangs
precariously in the balance of ego, whim and focus of many hands.
Tom Pratt, Jon Patrouch and notably Steve Faust have continued to work
tirelessly to push the project forward on behalf of the community. The project
is still working through the conditions required to grant permits from various
agencies, each requiring negotiations and consideration to seek an mutual end
project. State matching grant funding for the project is also in jeopardy due
to the state budget shortfalls as well as actions taken by the City of Spokane
Parks Department. The next few months will be very important to the project
as more unfolds in the process.
What can we do? At this point the best thing we as a paddling community can do
is to write general, non issue specific letters of support to the Mayor of
Spokane and Parks Board Members. These people will need to help push the
project forward so vocal citizen support is extremely important to making it
happen. Courteous, honest examples of how the park will benefit all of Spokane
(not just the paddling community) are key. Encouraging their support to
champion this project that will ultimately benefit the city and regions citizens
economically, environmentally, and recreationally.
Contact Information for Parks Board:
Spokane Parks and Recreation Department
Attn: Parks Board
808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard
Fifth Floor – City Hall
Spokane, Washington 99201-3317
Contact Information for the Mayor:
Mayor Mary Verner
City of Spokane
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, Wa 99201
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Tony Z
dragorossinorthwest@yahoo.com
www.nookiekayaking.us
www.dragorossi.com
www.donkeyfIip.com
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