Dear Kitsap County Public Records Officer, Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), I am requesting copies of any and all records related to the planned "restorative" thinning project at Banner Forest Heritage Park. This includes, but is not limited to, the following documents created, received, or maintained by Kitsap County Parks or any relevant department from January 1, 2020, to the present:

 

• All SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) and/or NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) checklists, determinations, environmental impact statements, assessments, reports, or related correspondence.

• The silvicultural prescription(s) for Banner Forest Heritage Park, including any drafts, revisions, or finalized versions specific to this park (noting that the current draft appears to cover multiple parks).

• A finalized project description, including timelines, scope of work, maps of affected areas, tree removal criteria (e.g., species, sizes, quantities), and any contractor bids or agreements.

• All records related to previous and upcoming stewardship meetings for Banner Forest, including agendas, minutes, attendee lists, presentations, and recordings.

• Dates, agendas, minutes, and records from any previous county meetings (e.g., Parks Advisory Board, Board of County Commissioners) discussing or related to this project.

• Any scheduled future meeting dates related to this project or Banner Forest Heritage Park, including public hearings, workshops, or advisory sessions.

• Internal and external communications (e.g., emails, memos, letters) regarding the project, including discussions on ecological needs, financial projections (e.g., revenue from timber sales), transparency concerns, or stakeholder input.

• Any permits, approvals, or consultations with state/federal agencies (e.g., Washington DNR, WDFW, or Tribes) for the project.

• Financial records, including budgets, cost estimates, revenue projections from timber sales, and funding sources (e.g., grants) for the thinning activities.

Please provide these records in electronic format (e.g., PDF) where possible to reduce costs and expedite delivery. If any portion of this request is denied, please provide a detailed exemption log citing the specific statutory basis for each withholding, as required under RCW 42.56.210.

I represent Save Banner Forest, a non-profit organization currently under formation advocating for the conservation of Banner Forest Heritage Park. If fees are anticipated, please notify me in advance with an estimate.

You may contact me at 253-380-4491 or savebannerforest@gmail.com for any questions or clarifications. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. I look forward to your response within five business days, as outlined in RCW 42.56.520.