Article submitted by the Thurston County Chamber
Olympia has one of the most beautiful capital city vistas in the nation. Whether looking at the Capitol building from afar, or looking out from campus, the scene is dominated by the reflective Capitol Lake.
This specially designed piece of landscape architecture has become a centerpiece for our community.
From the sunniest days to the worst weather days, there is always someone — residents and visitors alike — enjoying Capitol Lake. Strolls with family and friends, walks with our dogs, community festivals, opportunities to jog, all utilize this treasured icon, adding to the vibrancy of the city and enhancing our lives.
People from outside our area marvel at our unique ability to blend natural systems with human systems. Capitol Lake reflects the aesthetic values of our community, the environmental values of a healthy watershed, and the social and economic values for a thriving urban landscape.
Intermittent dredging of Capitol Lake is needed to maintain the lake and protect lower Budd Inlet. Since 1986 Capitol Lake has been neglected and is fi lling up with sediment. This unique amenity is in desperate need of dredging.
Since 1998 the Thurston County Chamber has been on record supporting the continued management and dredging of the lake as the most desirable management option for this body of water. The Chamber believes it is the best way to protect the viability of Heritage Park, downtown commerce, the visitor industry, navigable water ways and Port operations.
A recently formed group, the Capitol Lake Improvement and Protection Association (CLIPA), is dedicated to preserving and protecting Capital Lake as part of Washington State’s Capitol Campus, as well as protecting the Deschutes Watershed as a whole.
CLIPA’s plan presents a reasoned, science-base holistic approach to a complex problem. The group is focused on enhancing the overall ecosystem, providing for recreational and educational opportunities and preserving the aesthetics of Capitol Lake.
The Chamber is in strong support of CLIPA’s efforts to keep the lake, improve water quality, manage sediment and protect Puget Sound.
For more information on CLIPA’s efforts, or to receive periodic updates on issues and activities related to Capitol Lake and the Deschutes Watershed, visit www.savecapitollake.org or email friends@savecapitollake.org. CLIPA is a 501(c)(3).
