State Parks presents condensed master plan for Miller Peninsula; EIS on hold pending funding

Lauren Bromley, statewide planner for Washington State Parks, told the Clallam County Trails Advisory Committee that a condensed-development concept for Miller Peninsula State Park remains the agency’s preferred approach and that staff have advanced several technical studies but must pause the environmental impact statement (EIS) until funding is available.

Bromley said Miller Peninsula spans roughly 2,884 acres of mostly second‑growth forest and contains about 17 miles of existing multi‑use trails. She said planning work completed since 2023 includes a hydrogeologic study, a water‑right application and a consultant‑draft master plan. "The water right permit was granted by the Department of Ecology in June of last year," Bromley said.

The master plan under discussion confines proposed built facilities to about 73 acres—roughly 2.5% of the park—and would include day‑use amenities, a visitor center, picnic shelters, multi‑use trails, RV and tent camping, roughly 10–12 cabins (not finalized), equestrian and group campgrounds and a limited set of small, freestanding “tree house” structures. Bromley said the detailed campsite count is still being refined; she described a previous estimate of roughly 140–150 total sites but said that number is not final.

Bromley emphasized that the master plan does not propose large commercial facilities such as a lodge or swimming pool. She said staff will begin a traffic study to measure how a fully occupied park would affect Diamond Point Road, Highway 101 and nearby intersections, and that the park team will follow that analysis with public open houses in late spring or early summer to present more detailed designs and solicit comment.

Bromley said the planning team has narrowed land‑classification alternatives to two options—one with a greater recreation emphasis and one that prioritizes preservation and interpretation. Both maintain substantial natural forest area and both seek to preserve wildlife corridors that connect to adjacent state and federal lands. She noted active tribal consultation with the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and others and said staff are collaborating with local fire districts on emergency‑response concerns raised during outreach.

Committee members asked about connectivity to the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT). Bromley said the preferred access layout shows a likely connector near Diamond Point Road and that a trail alignment within existing rights‑of‑way appears feasible; she added that costs and exact responsibilities for off‑park connectors would be determined as partnerships and budgets are developed.

Bromley closed by outlining next steps: completing a preferred master‑plan map, compiling past studies for EIS preparation, finishing the traffic analysis, refining land classifications and continuing tribal and public engagement. She said the EIS remains paused "due to current state agency budget constraints," but that staff would continue public outreach and technical work that does not require EIS funding.

The committee agreed to accept the presentation materials for distribution and invited State Parks staff to return when the preferred plan and outreach schedule are set.