Commission approves $140,200 to finish North Wash boat ramp; ribbon cutting set for June 4

The Outdoor Adventure Commission voted unanimously to approve $140,200 in additional funding to finish the North Wash boat ramp, a long‑running Cataract Canyon takeout project the division said will improve access for guides, outfitters and adaptive programs.

Carly Lynch, Trails and Planning Program Director, said the project is nearly complete but freight costs for an articulating concrete block mat and some geotechnical complications raised the final cost. "We are here today requesting additional funding to help support and cover the bases to wrap up and complete the project," Lynch said.

Project status and benefits: Contractors Brown Brothers Construction and Jones & DeMille completed most construction; the remaining work depends on arrival of a block mat from out of state. Carly and on‑site lead Kendall said contractors expect roughly a day to a day‑and‑a‑half of work once the mat arrives. Carly noted the ramp will restore programming by groups such as the National Ability Center: "We have not been able to do programming down Cataract Canyon because the boat ramp has been so, so terrible and so this is the first time we're going to be able to start bringing that programming back," she said, referencing veterans and people with mobility limitations.

Funding source and vote: Finance staff identified roughly $3.5 million of unspent prior‑year funds that can be applied to cover the overage without reducing this year’s planned awards. The commission's motion to approve $140,200 was made on the record and passed unanimously.

Next steps: The division will complete remaining surfacing work when the articulating mat arrives; a ribbon cutting is scheduled for June 4 and the division will circulate project updates on its website.