State funds Steptoe Butte road, land purchase

The new two-year Washington state budget passed by the legislature April 29 features two likely projects for Steptoe Butte.

The first is a $5.2 million complete rebuilding of the road to the top of the butte, which is a Washington State park.

“It really needs it,” said Virginia Painter, State Parks’ communications director.

The funding is part of $31 million designated for State Parks’ capital projects.

The second item comes from the Department of Natural Resources, with $1,239,000 marked for acquisition of private property on the butte by the Recreation Conservation Office.

“We have very high...