The Puyallup River Watershed Council (PRWC) will hold its monthly Forum on Wednesday June 24th from 5-7pm at the Sumner City Hall Council Chambers. This Forum will focus on Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and interacting with the new Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark. A question and answer session will follow an overview or "BIG PICTURE" of DNR responsibilities by Mr. Goldmark. Come and learn the future of our state's natural resource lands and how some of the lands in the Puyallup River Watershed might be dealt with over the years ahead. Interesting land swaps have taken place in our watershed as well as policy decisions on aquatic lands management. One of the most difficult issues has been the use of tidelands for aquaculture. Prior to the 5 pm forum a field trip to Commencement Bay will take place. Linda Schmidt, DNR natural resource specialist, will conduct the tour (see itinerary below) and discuss DNR restoration work, log storage, land lease issues, marina leasing, clean-up sites, historic docks and other such waterfront management issues. Upland DNR issues (such as timber lands management) will surely be discussed but will not be a highlight of the field trip. The second Forum speaker, should time allow, will be Jeanne Fancher who will give an update on the Puyallup Watershed Rain Garden Installation Workshops. Tour Itinerary: (Call Roy Huberd to reserve your seat on the van. Meet at Sumner City Hall to depart at 11:30 for the first stop at Thea's Park on the shore of Commencement Bay. For those who bring a sack lunch, we can eat there at 12:00. After the tour the group will return to Sumner City Hall by 4:30.) 1. The Thea Foss Waterway- Superfund Cleanup/Deed Restrictions Industrial Uses - shipbuilding/boatyards/fuel terminal - Commercial Uses - marinas - Public Access, Pocket Restoration Sites/ Olympic View Withdrawal Area; Proposed Development 2. Middle Waterway; Restoration Sites; Superfund Issues - Up for 5-year review; Industrial Users - Foss-tug/ Simpson-log booming/ Mini -shipbuilding. 3. Marine View Drive - Log Storage/Wood Debris; Restoration/Public Access; Deed Restriction for NRDA Restoration Sites; Commercial Uses -marinas and boatyards; Industrial Uses - barge moorage. For more information please call..... Roy Huberd (253-798-6793) Linda Burgess (253-863-1860) Senior Planner Executive Committee Pierce County Watershed and or Puyallup River Watershed Council Water Quality Programs