Field notes: Final razor clam digs of spring season approved

WDFW plans to announce tentative digging opportunities in early fall for the 2024-2025 season via the WDFW razor clam webpage. This summer, WDFW will conduct population assessments and regularly monitor domoic acid levels, a natural marine toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, that can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage and on the DOH webpage.

Ride around Rainier set for Sept. 4

RAMROD is back on: The 40th annual Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day endurance cycling event will circle Mount Rainier National Park on Sept. 4.

The ride is typically in July, but a permitting impasse with the national park wedged a wrench in the spokes of this summer’s event. Mount Rainier National Park is debuting a timed entry system this summer designed to alleviate crowding in the park. MRNP leadership denied a request from RAMROD organizers Redmond Cycling Club to use busy Paradise and Stevens Canyon roads for the race.

Unable to agree on a route that would avoid those roads, the park and Redmond Cycling Club elected to avoid the timed entry window entirely. Instead, RAMROD will test out an amended version of the event in September, the Wednesday after Labor Day.

This year’s event will have tweaks beyond the new date: Participants will cycle clockwise for the first time, starting and ending in Enumclaw as they circumnavigate Mount Rainier. Registration, scheduled to start next month, will feature first-come, first-serve priority, instead of the typical lottery system (2023 volunteers will be grandfathered into the total of 800 riders, per RAMROD tradition).

Public input sought on cougar hunting

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is now accepting public comments on proposed changes to cougar hunting seasons. The public may submit comments electronically, by phone, or by mail through June 21, or in person during a public hearing at the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission’s June meeting in Vancouver.

If adopted, the proposed rule would set the Washington cougar hunting season from Sept. 1 to March 31, set a cap of 13% of each population management unit using a specific statewide density, and include all known human-caused cougar mortalities to determine when to close a PMU during the season.

The public may submit comments online, via email, by calling 1-855-925-2801 and entering project code 1261.

Those interested in providing verbal comments during the Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting June 21-22 will need to pre-register online.