News
Wind Farm Hunting Access Programs Combined by Ken Graham
by Ken Graham
In 2009, hunters can sign up once for access to portions of all three wind farms in Columbia County. Puget Sound Energy (PSE), owner of the Hopkins Ridge wind facility and PacifiCorp Energy, owner of the two Marengo wind projects, have established a combined hunter access program for portions of the private and public land that encompasses the three projects. All of the wind farm hunting access is coordinated with the private land owners and state land managers for the land that has been leased by the wind farm operators.
Hunters can sign up on line or in person at the Last Resort Campstore on the Tucannon Road. Those wishing to sign up on line should go to one of the following web sites:
www.pse.com – follow links to "wind projects", "Hopkins Ridge" and "Recreation".
www.pacificorp.com – follow links to "community services", "recreation", and "Washington recreation", then scroll to the bottom of the page.
Besides on line signup forms, the web sites include maps showing areas open to hunting by written permission, hunting rules and a Q&A section.
Hunters who sign up on line must still check in at the Last Resort Campstore to sign the access permission agreement, a copy of which must be kept with them while they are on the properties.
For more information on the wind farm hunting program, go to one of the web sites, or call PSE's Dayton office at (509) 382-2043.