North Kitsap trail can be done to benefit environment and users
I'm writing in response to concerns about the Sound to Olympics Trail and forest restoration in the North Kitsap Heritage Park, as recently cited in the column, "How will we value salamanders and frogs?" (Kitsap Sun Opinion, April 27). We can have our opinions about what goes on in that park and elsewhere, but we must look at the "big picture" concerning all the responsibilities of any stewardship.
The STO was and is one of the biggest selling points to the public and government agencies that supported the funding for the addition of the 400 acres of Pope Resources property to the park and the current development of the trail system there.
I am a part of the Cross State Trail Coalition and was in leadership for North Kitsap Heritage Park Stewardship Committee, Port Gamble Heritage Park, North Kitsap Trails, Kitsap Forest and Bay Coalition, Kitsap Parks Forest Management CAC, and Kitsap Non Motorized Facilities CAC. I know this STO route has been in NKHP and county plans for years and is in all our recent Kitsap County Non-Motorized Plans. The route through the park has been vetted, many times and for years, and is preferred, with many alternate routes outside the park looked at and for many reasons, put aside as being not feasible.
Not doing the trail, with or without ASHTO standards, through NKHP is not an option for the majority of the users and supporters of trails. That's a conclusion from many surveys, meetings and opinion polls that NKTA did.
Also, there are lots of ways to mitigate impacts for ASTHO standards trails. I hope the Kitsap County Commissioners and Kitsap Parks step up again and support the STO through the NKHP and subsequently the Washington Cross State Trail, which is hugely supported by users across the state. Hundreds of miles of the state trail is done or is in the works, overwhelmingly supported here on the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas.
Wetlands are going to be a problem on a North Kitsap STO route, along with slopes and property ownership. But, with proper environmental mitigations for wetland crossings these can be overcome, though likely with an increase in development costs. For example, pin-pile boardwalks and constructing trail segments with environmentally sensitive materials and smart water control in sensitive areas (because pavement might not be used, funding might be impacted from ASHTO grant possibilities in these short wet sections). There are also existing old logging roads in the NKHP that can be used and improved to good environmental standards without causing more environmental problems.
There are a handful but determined number of individuals who do not want anything to happen in that park, not even forest restoration. That is very unfortunate for the critters that they are concerned about, in the short- and long-term. Forest restoration opens up the canopy for light from the sustainable thinning of trees, to the forest floor which produces more vegetation (food, habitat, shelter) for small critters and promotes animal diversity. More moisture to the forest floor is needed and is good for amphibians too, as we have seen that in our other parks and their forest restorations from tree farm to forest. Right now in the NKHP that moisture and those nutrients are being sucked up by overcrowded trees. The forest floor is basically a desert in places, no vegetation is there. Thinning the overcrowded trees will then help grow large trees with their habitats, too. That ability to grow a diverse forest with large trees should be encouraged in the NKHP. Getting moisture to the forest floor should be paramount (for amphibians) for many reasons. Not doing that will (and is) cause all kinds of environmental problems, which is bad for our forests and their critters.
We managed our way into this environmental mess, we need to manage our way out. Left alone, Mother Nature will do it on its own time frame and with no concern for us, our homes or the bad effects to our environment and it's critters. We can bring back healthy forests and their habitat in a hundred years, rather than a thousand.
Concerning easy access to a wetlands, we cannot teach the populous about the environment, wetlands and forests and their importance if we don’t let them get out into it. We need to use every opportunity to get our school kids and their teachers, parents, elected officials, business people, elderly and those with disabilities into those wetlands and wild places "easily," to explore the intricacies of those places and learn to become good stewards of the environment. Hands-on learning and easy access to do it are so important to environmental education and long-term citizen commitment.
The North STO and its proposed route through North Kitsap Heritage Park and Grover’s Creek wetlands is important to our citizens, as all the surveys said. These trails connect us and encourages more non-motorized transportation. The STO will make it easy for anyone to get out and take a walk and in a wild place. The STO and its sub trails also let people connect with Kingston schools from the Indianola area, Kingston's ferry terminal, and businesses without getting in a car. And how about a bike ride or walk from Kingston to Port Gamble? The STO will also connect to Poulsbo and the South STO to Bainbridge. And not on the highway!
I ask that "big picture" science and sustainable development techniques should lead our decision making. Meaning there are many layers to consider in making a project a success here, a success on many levels. The North STO can be done and with proven forest restoration techniques which in the long run will help our wild critters, the environment and help reduce CO2 if we are smart and cautious about its development.
John Willett lives in Poulsbo.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Opinion: NK trail planning must smartly look at the 'big picture'
