OLYMPIA — The Olympic National Forest is offering the Snider Work Center in Beaver as a place for gatherings for groups promoting physical, mental and spiritual health, and is accepting applications for permits now.
The special use permits will go to such groups, including those offering services to disabled people and their families, who want to offer activities in a natural environment, the forest service said in a statement.
The permit, called a Granger-Thye permit, will allow use of six buildings within the compound: the house, maintenance shop, fire warehouse, cookhouse, recreation hall and conference building.
Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 12.
“Snider is a unique property in a magnificent setting,” District Ranger Dean Millett said.
“We would love to see it fully utilized as it was in the past, and enjoyed by a wide range of visitors.”
For many years, Snider Work Center, which is in the Pacific Ranger District, served as a base for a variety of forest service operations.
More recently, it has served as a base for nonprofit youth organizations for summer employment and work-based training programs.
The facility has never been operated under a permit as an organizational camp.
Opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and many other activities abound in the area around the work center.
To apply for a permit, it is necessary to get a copy of the prospectus packet, which includes descriptions of the facilities and the area, permit terms and instructions for submitting an application package.
Those who have previously submitted information are asked to resubmit their application package in the requested format.
For answers to questions or a copy of the prospectus packet to apply for a permit, phone Millett at 360-374-1222.
For general information about Olympic National Forest, visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic.
