SPIT SHOWS FINANCIAL BENEFIT

Wildlife, walking, recreation boost local economy

By EVAN McLEAN
Staff writer

A federal study reports the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge returns $8.57 to the community for every dollar invested.
The report, "Banking on Nature 2006," was compiled by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service economists.

“Sequim is really the gateway city for the rest of the north peninsula, so it’s not surprising so many people are visiting the refuge and investing money into the local community,” refuge director Kevin Ryan said. “It’s great to see a study show that ecologically protected areas are an important draw for regional and even international visitors.”

Ryan said he’s always known eco-tourism has been an economic boost to the area but he was glad to see the federal government recognize the importance as well.

According to the report, more than 89,000 people visited the refuge in 2006 to hike the Dungeness Spit, sit on the beach, bird watch and enjoy other plants and wildlife.

“We reported the number of people visiting the spit in 2006 and those numbers are likely a bit diminished because not everyone drops off an envelope,” Ryan said. “The number of visitors have remained steady in recent years, but are down about 20,000 overall from the spike in attendance in the 1990s.”

Although the refuge hasn’t seen as many visitors since the '90s, the tourists tend to stay and experience Sequim.

“The refuge was responsible for creating 38 private sector jobs, generating about $924,000 in job income,” the study reads.

Overall, the refuge provided for a total tax revenue of $302,400 for Clallam County in 2006. Total recreational use of national wildlife refuges in Washington, Oregon and Idaho generated $137 million in economic return.

In order to reach its conclusions, the USFWS economists used survey findings, spending habits and area expenses for hospitality and recreation opportunities.

“I think hotels and restaurants were some of the big players in the economic return,” Ryan said. “Plus, there are all the things fishermen need, like gear and bait, in addition to spit-specific activities like kayak tours.”

Don Rice said the New Dungeness Lighthouse is the biggest draw for people coming to his business, Dungeness Kayaking.

“I’d say, more than anything, people come to me to see the lighthouse, and the reserve and its wildlife are added benefits,” Rice said. “I’d say the same of people are walking in the regular refuge entrance, although there are a large number of local bird enthusiasts who see the lighthouse as an added bonus to their own excursions.”

Rice, also a Sequim High School English teacher, generally does tours in the summer but is known to take people from colder, European countries out in the early springtime.

“This area is a kayaker’s paradise, but I would have to say it seems there’s been a reduction in bird populations,” Rice said. “Whatever economic benefit this report says the spit has, we need to make sure that wildlife remains a priority.”

The report comes amid fish and wildlife service plans to relocate its main office from U.S. Highway 101 to the reserve.

“We’re not doing much right now because of the season, but once spring rolls around we plan on beginning ground preparations for the new building,” Ryan said. “We also want to chip seal Holgerson (Road) as soon as possible.”

Holgerson will serve as an entrance for staff only. The public will enter the reserve and the service’s offices through Voice of America Road, which winds through Clallam County’s Dungeness Recreation Area.

The county park surrounds the reserve. County staff is currently creating a master plan for the park, which will manage future improvements.

“Once we get a draft of the plan formed, likely early next year, we will be bringing that forward to the public in an open meeting,” county parks and fair supervisor Bruce Giddens said.

More information about the master plan in available at www.clallan.net under current issues.

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For a complete copy of Banking on Nature 2006: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation, visit www.fws.gov/refuges.