Delayed campground opening upsets Chamber of Commerce
By Jeff Chew, Peninsula Daily News
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The 30-site recreational vehicle and camper/tent campground, off U.S. Highway 101 about 3.5 miles south of Quilcene, has been open in April in years past, but was most recently left closed through this month.
That's why the Jefferson County commissioners, with the Quilcene-Brinnon Chamber of Commerce's blessing, sent letters Monday to congressional leaders, asking for additional funding to keep the campground open in June.
Letters were sent to U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, and U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace, and Patty Murray, D-Freeland.
County Commissioner John Austin, D-Port Ludlow, urged his fellow board members on Monday to send the letters.
"It always helps," said Lisa Hames, Quilcene-Brinnon Chamber of Commerce president.
"The more people that stay in the area and have a place to stay, it helps our economy.
"It helps the grocery store, our restaurants and gas stations."
Largest in area
With only a few spaces available at the county campground in Quilcene, she said, the Fallsview campground is the largest in the area.
"It used to open April 1, so every year their budget gets trimmed more and more," Hames said.
She added that Brinnon, eight miles to the south, is far less affected because it has Dosewallips State Park's 100 tent spaces and 40 RV sites.
Susie Graham, recreational manager for U.S. Forest Service's Hood Canal Ranger District, based in Hoodsport, said the park well that serves the Fallsview southern campsite had been shut down because it no longer meets state water quality standards.
Costly portable toilets had to be brought in to replace the flush toilets left without water, she said.
"A lot of opening it later is [due to] budget cuts," she said.
"We don't get a lot of people using the campground in June, so we've opened it a little later."
Overlooks valley
The campground, which overlooks the Big Quilcene River valley and a 100-foot waterfall cascading into it, should be open before the Fourth of July, said Graham.
The campground will close again two weeks into September, she said.
Austin, whose district includes Quilcene and Brinnon, said he learned the news two weeks ago and discussed it with Hames.
"It was very disturbing news," he said.
"It would be a great project for the folks in the chamber to adopt the park.
"That may be an answer.
"That place is so close, and there are so many restaurants and the store that would benefit."
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Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-335 or jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: June 02. 2008 9:00PM