State parks officials are seeking a $517,000 grant to replace the aging boat dock and build a new fishing pier at Battle Ground Lake State Park.
Julie McQuary, a planner for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, said the proposal is to replace the approximately 35-year-old dock closer to the boat ramp plus add a pier on the far side of the swimming beach.
“The old boat dock has been patched and repaired multiple times,” McQuary said. “It is in need of replacement.”
The grant application is by the parks agency to the state’s Recreation and Conservation Office for the 2015-16 budget period. There are 12 other applications in the Water Access Grants category. The state Legislature’s appropriation to the Washington Wildlife Recreation Program will determine available funds.
McQuary said the fishing pier will be built to be stable so it is better for fishing and especially for anglers with disabilities.
“Separating the boat launching, fishing and swimming will reduce user conflicts,” she said. “A shoreline site near the proposed pier will be improved for accessible bank fishing.”
The pier design is one already used by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to improve fishing opportunity for disabled anglers.
McQuary said public support is part of the evaluation criteria used by RCO.
Letters of support have been sent by the City of Battle Ground and Clark County.
Additional support letters can be sent to Karl Jacobs, grant manager, at Recreation and Conservation Office, 1111 Washington St., S.E., Olympia, 98501, or by email to karl.jacobs@rco.wa.gov.
Battle Ground Lake is 25 acres and open to fishing year-round.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks it with trout multiple times each year, including in the winter months to provide recreation when other fisheries are slow.
State parks does not have an alternative financing source for the dock and fishing pier if the grant is not awarded.
People interested in learning more about the project may contact McQuary at julie.mcquary@parks.wa.gov.
