New State Line Access a go

We’re pleased to announce that Spokane River restoration and non-motorized boat access at State Line will begin in October.

Multiple agencies have joined hands to construct and manage a riparian restoration, habitat and river-access project at State Line. The project benefits fish, plants and people.

One result is a new non-motorized boat access at State Line, expected to be open for use in October. The access location is uniquely situated above a well-known whitewater play area called “Dead Dog Hole.” During the summer, it opens up gentle Class I rapids for paddlers and tubers wishing to enjoy a 3.5 mile run to Harvard Road or 5.5 mile run to Barker road. Similarly, it will be a take-out location for people putting in at Corbin Park, 4 miles upstream.

For anglers, this location will support drift boat access to Harvard Road. Additionally, river access here is an important put-in location for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) research vessels and first responders.

“You can count on one hand the number of access locations where you can easily work with the contours of the land, can provide parking, and connect with well-maintained roads,” Said Andy Dunau, Executive Director of the Spokane River Forum, a key partner in the project.

Other partners include the Spokane Conservation District, Washington State Parks, and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).  Additional support is being provided by WDFW, Spokane Riverkeeper and the Lands Council. The project is located on the south side of the river on the upstream side of the new Appleway Bridge.

The project also supports critical fish, habitat and water quality needs. The Conservation District will be restoring 800 feet of shoreline damaged by random human access and infested with noxious weeds.  A variety of native plants will be planted on more than 1.9 acres and then will be nursed and supported over the next five years to ensure long-term viability.  

“The Conservation District has a fund dedicated to restoring habitat on the Spokane River, “said Walt Edelen, Water Resources Manager. “This is a site where we can really make a difference. That we can integrate it by supporting public access makes this a highly visible stewardship project we’re pleased to sponsor.”

The property itself is under the jurisdiction of WSDOT.  Washington State Parks stepped up to agree to manage the property under a lease agreement with WSDOT. As WSDOT is required to receive fair market value for its properties, the Spokane River Forum did the fund raising necessary to support the first five years of the lease agreement. Said Dunau, “The next time you eat at Olive Garden, say ‘Thank you’ on behalf of the river. State Line funding, which is part of their Restaurant Community Grants program from the Darden Foundation, made this possible.”

Additionally, the Forum, Lands Council, and Spokane Riverkeepers entered into a maintenance agreement with State Parks to support long-term stewardship needs. Because this commitment was made early on, State Line became a focal area of the annual Upriver Scrub clean-up project that was founded by the Forum and Northwest Whitewater Association in 2009.

A new parking lot will support easy put-in or take-out needs. It also will support overflow parking needs for the recently completed Centennial Trail realignment project. Fencing will be used to manage the flow of foot traffic to appropriate areas.

Chris Guidotti, park manager at Riverside State Park, said, “For us, this  supports the Centennial Trail in Spokane County.  More than ever, we need the Spokane River Forum, Friends of Centennial Trail and others to provide volunteers to keep these areas open and available to the public. The work on the Spokane River Trail, and the work done at Harvard Road, Mirabeau, Barker Road and other locations is a great example of the community giving us critically needed support.”