SEQUIM –– A panel called by Gov. Jay Inslee to develop an action plan for increasing outdoor recreation activities will hear testimony from the public when it meets in Sequim on Tuesday.
The task force formed in April also will focus on promoting jobs and business associated with outdoor recreation for the plan due Sept. 18.
The panel — which will meet from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Sequim Holiday Inn Express, 1441 E. Washington St. — will hear testimony from the public from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and at 7:25 p.m.
The 28-member task force includes 16 citizen members appointed by the governor; state Reps. Steve Tharinger, D-Sequim, and Vincent Buys, R-Lynden; state Sens. Linda Parlette, R-Wenatchee, and Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island; and eight representatives of state agencies.
Tharinger represents the 24th Legislative District, which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County. He is running for re-election in the Nov. 4 general election.
Outdoor recreation statewide directly supports 227,000 jobs and generates more than $22 billion in annual spending on things like equipment, lodging and apparel, according to the state Recreation and Conservation Office.
More information about the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation can be found on the state Recreation and Conservation Office’s website at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-recreation.
