Commission reshuffles WWRP ranked list, elevates Larrabee accessibility project

Commissioners reviewed and revised the preliminary ranked project list for Washington's 2026 WWRP state parks category and approved submission of the updated list to the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for technical evaluation.

Tanya Moore, real estate property and acquisition specialist, summarized the evaluation process and reported that the preliminary combined project total for acquisition and development requests was roughly $24.16 million. She said two development projects were reclassified by RCO technical review as ineligible renovations, which required staff to remove or modify their submissions prior to commission action.

During discussion, commissioners asked about partial funding scenarios, how advisory committee scoring could shift the funded line, and the relative merits of acquisition versus development projects. Commissioners Merriman and Dannenberg proposed moving the Larrabee boat-launch accessibility project higher on the list and adjusting the tie between Nisqually and Lake Easton cabins; the commission voted to place Larrabee at the higher rank and to reorder the lower tied projects accordingly. The revised ranked list was approved for submission to RCO.

Moore outlined next steps and timelines: technical completion of RCO materials is July 15; the advisory committee evaluation occurs in mid-August; the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board will finalize the statewide list in October; and awarded funds would be available at the start of the next biennium (July 2027) dependent on legislature action.

Outcome: The commission approved the revised rank ordering and authorized staff to submit the list and supporting materials to RCO.