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July 2, 2018
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
With July 4th fast
approaching, I know many of you will be spending the upcoming holiday around
the family barbecue, on the water, or perhaps in the mountains.
Those of us who live in the Wenatchee area have a great recreational opportunity
just outside our doorsteps. Saddle Rock, owned by the city of Wenatchee and operated as a park, is
an iconic location for outdoor recreation. It offers year-round fun for
thousands of individuals and families. Its improved trailhead has made this
area more accessible and popular. The increased activity will require an
improved trail design and maintenance.
Balsomroot wildflowers at Saddle Rock welcome hikers each spring. This beautiful photo was provided by Peter Bauer Photography.
With Saddle Rock funding approved, soil work and trail renovations coming
During my 12th District listening tour last fall, the
Chelan-Douglas Land Trust shared with me its plans to improve the Saddle Rock trail
system, including creating an emergency access path and a smoother trail. The
first step was long-awaited state grant dollars for soil remediation. With help
from Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz, Land Trust Executive Director Curt Soper, and
state Representative Mike Steele, we secured funding in the supplemental
capital budget for this soil work so that the trail enhancements could begin.
The work is needed because several metals from old mining sites above
and behind Saddle Rock have resulted in elevated levels of arsenic in the ground below. Public
health risk is minimal for hiking the trail as is, but rebuilding the whole
trail system would require ground-disturbing work. In accordance with state
law, conducting this type of work where these materials are located first
requires soil remediation.
Over the next several months, the city of Wenatchee will be awarding
contracts to complete the soil remediation and removal work. Once the city’s
project is completed, the Land Trust and its team of volunteers will complete
its long-planned trail redesign. Just like a home remodel or road improvement project, things sometimes
seem worse before they get better, but I know that an improved Saddle Rock will
be better for us all – and soon better than ever.
Having this iconic landmark in Wenatchee’s ownership is a great thing,
and I am very thankful to the city, Land Trust, and Representative Steele
for working with me to secure funding for the project. Good things happen when
we keep in communication, coordinate our advocacy, and work together. Let’s continue to keep Saddle Rock a location
that all can enjoy…for current and future generations!
My 12th District Legislative Review available online
The approved funding for Saddle Rock was just one of several stories featured in my 12th District Legislative Review newsletter,
which was recently mailed to households throughout the district. If you did not
receive my printed newsletter in the mail, or if you received it but didn’t get
a chance to read it, we have made it available online. Click here to view it.
I appreciate the privilege and opportunity to serve as our state
senator.
Have a fun and safe holiday.
Sincerely,
Brad Hawkins
State Senator
Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
E-mail:
brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Website: senatorbradhawkins.org
107 Newhouse Building
- P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
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