Development Threatens Miller Peninsula State Park

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot. With a pink hotel, a boutique and a swingin’ hot spot”—Joni Mitchell

Located between Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay, Miller Peninsula State Park provides refuge for wildlife and folks seeking to escape developed infrastructure within a unique climax Douglas fir forest plant community. The 2,880 acres include 3 miles of shoreline along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Cornell’s eBird documents 126 species of birds using the Park and Thompson Spit.

Protect the Peninsula’s Future originally organized to thwart a proposed nuclear power plant in this location nearly five decades ago. Subsequent attempts to site an off-road vehicle park, and a foreign corporation’s mega housing and golf resort development project were also blocked.

Now this magnificent sanctuary is under threat again. At an online meeting on 6-30-21, Washington State Parks staff presented development proposals—including a lodge, cabins, RV sites, zip line, forest canopy bridge, climbing wall, food trucks and other “improvements.” The agency has not addressed water availability, fire risk, and increased traffic concerns. Maps and documents related to State Parks’ proposals and a link to comment can be found at: https://parks.state.wa.us/1187/Miller-Peninsula-Planning