Hi, folks:

We are winding down to the last days of our online forum on recreation. Thanks to everyone who participated! We’ve had a great response, but still need to hear from folks from all walks of recreation life. We’ve extended the forum through midnight this Sunday, September 19. You can respond to any of the day’s “conversation starters.”

Tomorrow’s final conversation starter will be about user fees for access to DNR-managed land. Here’s the question we will post tomorrow morning:

Friday, September 17 Conversation Starter – User fees

“In this week’s discussion on recreation, funding has been a continual theme. We’ve heard clearly that many of you would support:

·       Restoring NOVA.

·       Lifting the lid on the fuel tax refund.

·       Paying a user fee.

As an alternative to further reducing services or closing recreation areas, we’d like to know more about your thoughts on user fees. What do you think is a fair and equitable user fee that would maintain safe and sustainable recreation access on DNR-managed lands?”

Here’s the direct link to Friday’s conversation starter. (Please note that this link won’t be active until 8 a.m., Friday morning.)

Mark R. Mauren
Assistant Division Manager
Recreation, Public Access and WCC Programs
Asset Management and Recreation Division
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
360-902-1047
mark.mauren@dnr.wa.gov

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September 10, 2010

Hi, folks:

I hope you enjoyed your summer and had time to get outside and enjoy Washington’s great outdoors. I wanted to update you on some key activities happening this fall with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Recreation Program.

Tell us what you think: DNR Forum to focus on recreation issues Sept. 13-17

All next week, DNR is hosting an online forum to get your views about recreation on DNR-managed lands. Each day, we’ll post a new “conversation starter” that address issues related to recreation: how you like to recreate on DNR-managed lands; education, enforcement and safety; funding; and planning. Friday’s conversation starter will be based on what themes emerge as the week unfolds.

I hope you will participate in the forum. Your input will be valuable for a number of reasons:

·       Share ideas and perspectives with fellow recreation enthusiasts.

·       Help DNR’s Recreation Program identify issues or concerns that we are not aware of.

·       Help shape the Recreation Program’s 2011-2013 Legislative package and budget request.

·       Provide us with additional information to help identify future needs. (See the following section about the Joint Transportation Committee.)

The Forum takes place online through DNR’s website, and you can participate and post comments from the comfort of your own computer any time of day. NOTE: The Forum opens at 8 a.m., Monday, September 13 and closes at 5 p.m., Friday, September 17.

For more information on the DNR Forum on Recreation, visit our blog posting at: http://bit.ly/c2yvHi

To see an example of how the online Forum works, check out the Forum we did on geoduck aquaculture last May.

Joint Transportation Committee review of fuel tax refunds

As I mentioned in previous email messages, I am representing DNR on the Joint Transportation Committee’s review of the fuel tax refunds for non-highway or off-road use of gasoline and diesel fuel. To date, we’ve completed the following two tasks to provide more information about DNR’s Recreation Program.

·       An overview of DNR’s off-road program: www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_jtc_review_task1_07_2010.pdf 

·       An analysis of the Recreation Program’s historical funding and expenditures: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_jtc_review_task3_08_2010.pdf

The last task we are working on is to identify future off-road, snowmobile and marine funding needs. We really need your help on this task. Here are the ways you can get the information on future needs to us:

·       Work with statewide user organizations to develop a comprehensive look at future needs.  (Some of the recreation organizations include Pacific Northwest 4×4; Washington Trails Association, Backcountry Horsemen of Washington (BCHW); Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance; Washington State Snowmobile Association;  Washington Water Trails Association; and the Washington Off-Highway Vehicle Association) As an example, BCHW has compiled a comprehensive list of future needs, which is attached to this message.

·       Participate in our online forum next week.

·       Send me an email with your input at mark.mauren@dnr.wa.gov. (It would make my life easier if you could use the format developed by the BCHW.)

2011-2013 Recreation Legislative and Budget request

Later this month, I should be able to share with you two pieces of recreation-related legislation that DNR is requesting this year. We are working closely with other resource agencies to put together a comprehensive legislative package that provides some of the reform measures that you have been requesting for years. In addition, I will share with you the recreation budget we will submit to the Governor. I look forward to hearing your feedback on these.

National Public Lands Day — September 25

Once again, DNR will be celebrating National Public Lands Day (NPLD) at several locations. In Forks, our staff will be co-hosting an evening volunteer recruitment in partnership with staff from the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park on Friday, September 24—the day before NPLD. On September 25, DNR will host work parties. Check our Facebook page for a list of events.(You don’t need a Facebook account!) I hope that many of you will consider volunteering on this day to help make a difference on state lands.

Reiter Foothills Forest Update

Thanks to the help of volunteers from the off-road community, DNR has made steady progress laying out proposed motorized trails in Reiter Foothills Forest. At this time, we have the trails roughed out and are now working on the design, county permits, and preparing for the review process under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The final mileage may vary, but to date, here’s what we’ve roughed out:

·       18.6 miles of single-track trails plus several areas for trailers.

·         8.6 miles of trunk (single and ATV) trails.

·       10 miles of 4×4 trails.

Developing these proposed trails has involved a lot of work—both in the field and on the “drafting table.” The people involved—volunteers and staff—are getting excited about how this project is turning out. We plan to provide the public with an opportunity to walk the proposed trails later on this fall. I will get back to you with an exact date.

Fall / season closures reminders

With the coming of fall, some of our recreation areas will close for the season. As a reminder, you can check the status of our recreation areas at www.dnr.wa.gov/recreation. Also, we update this information through our blog at: http://washingtondnr.wordpress.com/

Mark R. Mauren
Assistant Division Manager
Recreation, Public Access and WCC Programs
Asset Management and Recreation Division
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
360-902-1047
mark.mauren@dnr.wa.gov

September 10, 2010

· September 19 Work Party – Non-motorized Trails

· Progress Report

· What’s Next

Sunday, September 19 Work Party

The objective of this field day is to get more familiar with the non-motorized area and the potential opportunities for non-motorized trails and facilities.  This is a chance to walk the area, and see and discuss trail possibilities.  We encourage anyone interested in being in on the ground floor to join us and share with us your ideas and insight.  Depending on the number of volunteers that attend, we plan to:

· Collect GPS data the old road grade (proposed trunk trail) and collect data at water crossings and other important features.

·       Collect GPS data the existing user-built hiking route through the orange/blue area just northwest of May Creek on the map referenced below. Collect data where the trail is too steep, at water crossings, and other important features.

·       Time permitting, we will scout other portions of this area for hiking, mountain bike and equestrian recreation opportunities such as locations for scenic vistas and/or interesting terrain and travel routes.

·       Collect resource data, including locations of streams and wetlands.

You can access the most recent map of the non-motorized area and conceptual trails at:

http://bit.ly/9cMSDr

Work parties start at 9:30 a.m. and go until 3 p.m. or until we complete the projects for the day.  Meet at the Reiter gravel parking area outside of Gold Bar on Reiter Road. If you plan to join us on this day, please be prepared to hike across rough terrain for up to five or six miles in all weather and carry food and water for yourself.  There are no facilities in Reiter Foothills Forest. It would be helpful but not required if you can bring a GPS unit.

If you would like to participate, please contact David Way in advance at 360-854-2830.  Also please and let him know if you are able to bring a GPS.

Progress Report

We have completed our preliminary field reconnaissance of locations for the 4×4, ATV, and single-track trails and flagged the areas. We’ve also collected most of the preliminary data for the 4×4 areas. The data will help us design the trails, including drainage and water crossing bridges or culverts.

Our geologist is doing a preliminary review of the proposed motorized trail locations in preparation for the technical reports required for SEPA and for the County.  He is currently defining report mapping requirements with GIS staff.

What’s Next

We are continuing to lay out and design motorized trails.

We are coordinating with Snohomish County to identify permit and report requirements. We know a Land Disturbance Activity Permit will likely be required, and there may be others.
We are collecting additional data to fill in the remaining gaps in information for the motorized trails such soil type, slope steepness, indications of wet areas that might need extra engineering, and stream locations.  We are scheduling review time with technical specialists—engineers, biologists, and soils/geologists.

We are working on more detailed trail design for those motorized trails that are not located in critical areas and are proposed for the first phase of construction. Work includes field verification, trail design and construction detailing, drainage and grading, technical reports, cost estimates, and trail construction specifications.  At this stage, we are translating field notes into the GIS which helps display slopes and drainage patterns, and calculating the amount of cut and fill slopes for different types of trail cut  (required for grading permit).

The next focus group meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., September 22 at the Snohomish County Administrative complex in Everett. For more information, contact Candace Johnson at 360-854-2803 or candace.johnson@dnr.wa.gov.


Get involved!

If you’re interested in helping at Reiter Foothills Forest, we can always use volunteers to help with restoration work and trail planning, construction, and maintenance projects. For more information, contact David Way, 360-854-2830 or david.way@dnr.wa.gov.

Candace Johnson

Assistant Region Manager, State Lands

Northwest Region
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
360-854-2803
www.dnr.wa.gov

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