The public is invited to a meeting tonight, Wednesday, to discuss the potential mothballing of Nolte State Park near Enumclaw as a result of proposed budget reductions within the state parks system.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Flaming Geyser Lodge in Flaming Geyser State Park. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information and to hear public comment, which will be shared with the State Parks Commission.

Staffing reductions in the Green River Gorge area as the result of State Parks’ budget reductions require the agency to find ways to reduce expenditures. According to a state-issued press release, the close proximity of two other parks, Kanaskat Palmer and Flaming Geyser, allows the agency to continue providing public service in the general geographic area while meeting these required budget reductions. Under the current proposal, Nolte State Park would be mothballed until resources once again become available to reopen the park, however, the park could be opened on a limited basis for special weekend events.

More information on proposed budget reductions for State Parks is available in a fact sheet online at www.parks.wa.gov/newsreleases/. For more information about the public meeting, contact Susan Koch at 253-931-3907.