09/04/2010: "Wa Outdoors Online"

Gov. Chris Gregoire and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark today announced "One Front Door to Washington's Outdoors," a new online service making it easier for people -and businesses- to find what they need from Washington's natural resources agencies.

"One Front Door to Washington's Outdoors" is a collaborative effort of the Governor's Natural Resources Cabinet and the state's "Access Washington" Web team. and makes a wide range of information and services a click or two away for Washingtonians and visitors from out-of-state.

"In today's world, it's more important than ever for government to make it easy for people to find what they need from their public agencies," Gregoire said. "And that's what we're doing with the new 'One Front Door to Washington's Outdoors' online service. State employees worked creatively, within very constrained resources, to improve service to the public. Our goal is for people to spend less time finding what they need and have more time to enjoy our state's natural resources."

"One Front Door improves access to a wealth of useful information about Washington's natural resources, including maps, reports and permit applications," Goldmark said. "Easier access to information benefits Washington's citizens, on whose behalf we manage our state's precious natural resources, as well as businesses that are part of Washington's vibrant natural resource economy."

The new Web portal opens the door to environmental services, permits, outdoor recreation, natural resources, forestry, farming and more. It can be accessed from numerous state agency websites. Here's a direct link: http://access.wa.gov/environment/index.aspx

"One Front Door to Washington's Outdoors" is a direct result of Gov. Gregoire's government reform initiative. In December 2009, she signed an executive order that, among other things, established the Natural Resources Cabinet making state government more accountable to citizens.

For more information about Natural Resources Reform: http://governor.wa.gov/priorities/reform/naturalresources.asp