Birch Bay tourists and residents will have a new place to set sail once the improved boat launch at the south end of Birch Bay State Park is completed.

Construction crews started work on the 60-foot concrete launch about a month ago, Birch Bay State Park manager Ted Morris said. The launch, set to be completed in mid-December, will give boaters in the Birch Bay area an alternative to driving to Blaine and putting in at the Blaine Marina.

“It will be a boon for tourism in Birch Bay,” Morris said.

Once the launch is completed, boaters will be charged $7 per boat launch in addition to a $10-per-day parking fee, Morris said. Alternatively, boaters can purchase a $70 Natural Investment Permit, which will allow unlimited boat launches and parking for one year and allow the permit holder to park in other parts of the park; just like a Discover Pass.

The launch will also include a 20-car parking lot and a wheelchair accessible path from the lot to the launch. Construction will cost approximately $620,000, with most of the money coming fro a Washington State Recreation Conservation Office grant.

 

To find out more about the Natural Investment Permit, click here.