Some fishing, hunting and state parks will reopen May 5

People suffering from cabin fever as Washington’s coronavirus shutdown enters Week 7 may get some relief with the partial reopening of state lands by May 5.

But don’t pack those bags for an overnight camping trip just yet.

Gov. Jay Inslee took another small step Monday in the gradual return to normalcy by announcing that all state parks, fish and wildlife areas including boat launches, and lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources will be open again for day use only.

One week is needed to get the facilities ready to open by getting employees back to work, completing any needed maintenance, making sure a communication plan is in place and unlocking the gates to the public.

“Outdoor recreation is one of the best things we can do to promote physical, mental and emotional well-being for Washingtonians during a time of great stress and isolation,” Inslee said in his news conference at the State Capitol. “And springtime in our state is Washington at its best and people want to be out enjoying outdoor activities in a safe and responsible way.”

That means starting May 5, recreational anglers can head to the rivers and lakes in search of sockeye salmon, walleye and trout, hunters can go in search of turkey and spring bear and golfers can again hit the greens to sink a putt.

“Appropriate social distancing” remains the key phrase, Inslee said Monday.

For example, only two people can golf together unless the foursome is made up of all family members.

And camping remains prohibited at all developed and group shelter campgrounds, environmental learning centers and back country or primitive sites on state-managed lands.

The governor was joined virtually by: Hilary Franz, commissioner of the state Department of Natural Resources; Kelly Susewind, director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife; and Don Hoch, director of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Inslee cautioned people to stay local when enjoying the outdoors, avoid overnight trips, bring your own food and hygiene supplies, wear face coverings when around others and take your trash with you back home.

All that helps to reduce the stress and potential for exposure in already overtaxed communities, he said.

“If we see a sharp uptake in the number of people who are getting sick or are not following appropriate steps, then we won’t hesitate to scale this back again,” said Inslee.

‘Not a return to normal’

“This is not a return to normal today. The virus is too rampant to do that. Data, not dates, determine how we act,” he said.

He described it as the beginning phase of relaxing outdoor recreation restrictions.

Hunting and fishing seasons were delayed, and golf facilities, state parks and public lands closed when Inslee issued his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order more than a month ago to slow the spread of the virus.

The governor clarified that Monday’s announcement has no affect on the continuing ban of public gatherings, events and team sports.

And the easing of state restrictions doesn’t prevent local government or national agencies from enforcing their own closures based on public health needs, he said.

“This virus and the impact on all of us is extremely challenging,” said Inslee. “But this is not the time to give up on the strategies that we know are giving us results, saving lives in the state of Washington.”

The Department of Fish and Wildlife said that while freshwater fisheries and Puget Sound saltwater fisheries (marine areas 5-13) will open May 5, halibut, shrimp and intertidal shellfish harvesting will remain closed statewide.

The closure also extends to coastal saltwater fishing and shellfish harvesting, like coastal clam digs, in marine areas 1-4, said Susewind.

The spring bear season will be extended until June 30.

“I’m asking people to take what they’ve learned these past few weeks and continue putting these measures into play as you fish, hunt, and enjoy your local wildlife area,” Susewind said. “We’re happy to reopen these opportunities, and we need you to continue working with us to stay safe.”

#RecreateResponsibly

Franz said she recognizes the great sacrifices that Washington residents have made in the last couple of months in the fight against COVID-19.

She said it was one of the hardest decisions last month to close public lands, but it was necessary because “we saw an unprecedented number of people coming out and enjoying our natural areas.”

She credited “the heroic work of our first responders, doctors and nurses” with being able to reopen.

After the news conference, Franz’s office announced a partnership with REI Co-op, which is headquartered near Seattle.

The social media campaign, dubbed #RecreateResponsibly, is to educate visitors to recreation areas and parks about how to stay safe and healthy, including continued social distancing.

“We believe the move to responsibly reopen our public parks and access to recreation is a crucial step in the recovery process,” said Eric Artz, REI’s chief executive officer, said in a news release from the Department of Natural Resources.

“The past few months have shown that people are yearning to step out into the fresh air. People everywhere are being reminded of the importance of time outdoors to their mental and physical health,” he added.

“So, we thank Washington state’s leadership for beginning to reopen our parks and public lands.”

This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 4:19 PM.