Potlatch Ramp Remains Closed

WDFW's crustacean lead Kateyln Bosly just sent an email out to the Crab and Shrimp Advisory Group members to the effect that the Skokomish tribe's ramp remains closed.

The pertinent part of her email as follows:


"The WDFW crustacean team wanted to give the advisory group a quick heads up on some information we confirmed earlier today: the Skokomish Tribe has decided not to open their boat launch (Skokomish Park at Potlatch/Saltwater Park) facility in time for the recreational shrimp opener due to concerns related to COVID-19. The date for re-opening is TBD at this time, but we are not optimistic it will happen before July. This is obviously a blow for access in southern Hood Canal and we are hustling to get word out."

Was this a WDFW boat ramp at one time????? I know the launch is on Skokomish tribal land but "who built the ramp"?????

Tacoma Power. Gave it to the Tribe as part of the settlement on Cushman relicensing.

As I recall that ramp was owned by Tacoma Public Utilities until the most recent FERC relicensing of the Cushman dam. During that relicensing process the tribe demanded that it be given to them and TPU gave in.

Edit: CM snuck in while I was typing. I hate it when that happens.....

Maybe the take-away is that the State needs to find and develop more of its own launch sites but faces the fiasco of the PNP development where tribal objections and USACE have delayed permit approval for what will be 7 years come Oct 2020.

I have never used that launch BUT when the wife and I were trailering it was a very nice area to stop and have lunch or dinner. I just "assumed" it was WDFW that built it, but now that I think about it TCL has built quite a few launch and parking areas.

Wynoochee Lake has a nice camping area and boat launch.....if you can get there before they're all taken......at least the road is now backtopped, it was 1/2 gravel for many years.

July will be here soon, then hopefully it will be open?????

If your last part meant the lake, Lake Wynoochee is open now. Camping at Coho campground and launch are open for a couple of weeks.

You are Hankster. Why did you change your name? Glad and surprised you learned a lesson!