State Parks will hold an informational meeting Thursday to discuss the plan to remove diseased trees at Kopachuck State Park. The plan includes the removal of trees diseased with laminated root rot and the sale of timber not usable by the park.

The park’s campground has been closed since May 23 when park staffers became concerned about the health of the trees towering over many of the park’s 41 individual campsites After studying the trees in the park, an arbor crew from the state Department of Natural Resources found that about 80 percent of the Douglas firs were affected by laminated root rot. That can cause trees to fall with little or no warning, posing a danger to visitors, staff and facilities.

Due to safety concerns for park visitors, the park’s campground will remain closed until treatment is completed.

The park is a 109-acre marine and camping park with 5,600 feet of saltwater shoreline on Henderson Bay. The park provides scenic views of sunsets, the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Kopachuck Middle School, 10414 56th St. N.W., Gig Harbor.

Those unable to attend the meeting may request treatment plan details by calling 360-725-9781 or sending an email to Ed.Girard@parks.wa.gov.

Jeffrey P. Mayor jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com