Martin Bar Public Access on WDFW land
Martin Bar Access Road on WDFW Property — Changes Access Ownership and Requirements to Public
Effective February 1, 2025
In a recent survey of property lines, it was found that the public access road was actually on Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) property along with some of the public access area thought to be the Port of Woodland’s property.
Currently, there are stakes on the Port’s property outlining property lines and the Port has notified the WDFW.
What does this mean for the public access? Come February 1, 2025, the public will be required to have a WDFW Access Pass or a Discover Pass to use the area. The WDFW will eventually install their signage and kiosk at the site in the coming months, as this was news to them, as well. All state rules and requirements are subject to the area.
What does this mean about access to the shoreline of the Port property? The property in front of Martin Bar is under lease including the waterfront.
Since 1967, when the Port purchased property from Mr. Robinson, the access road had been on the property we had “owned” and an easement was provided to Fish & Game, now WDFW, for their property that was deemed landlocked that they purchased from Mr. Robinson in 1963. Over time, the Port entered into an agreement with the Woodland Lions Club to be the caretaker of the public access. For the last decade, the Port has maintained the access, provided the portable toilets and garbage. On January 31, the Port will remove those services.
What about the future? The Port Commission has stated interest in purchasing the property from WDFW to maintain it as a public access area, cleaning it up and keeping it as a launch. This is even more true today given this new information. Since removing Port Passes in 2019, the Port Commission has committed to working to remove costs to recreate along the river along Port of Woodland properties. We will focus our efforts on Austin Point Recreation Area.
The Port will continue our dialogue with our partner WDFW and if they sell the property to the Port we will gladly accept it and work to improve it for the public.
We encourage the public to communicate with WDFW regarding their concerns and interest regarding the Martin Bar property. Until then, please ensure if you visit the site after Feb. 1 you have the proper staff pass.
Thank you.