RlCHARD CRANlUM
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Got this via email, so here you go if you're interested.
November 30, 2009
Hi, folks:
It’s been a month since I last touched base with you. I thought I’d give you an update on what’s been going on with DNR’s Recreation Program.
Snowmobiling update
First, a special thanks to Carl Denton and the Yakima Ski Benders for raising $25,000 to make sure five snow parks stay open this winter on DNR-managed lands. Earlier this fall, we announced that we would need to close these areas because of budget cuts. Positive and proactive efforts like this help keep access to Washington’s great outdoors open to the public.
We are in the process of signing a master license agreement with Washington State Parks for all the winter recreation activities that occur on DNR-managed lands. This is a first and will eliminate the need for each snowmobile club to obtain separate permissions from DNR to groom, plow, or have a snow park on DNR-managed lands. This master agreement will also eliminate the need for DNR to process multiple agreements and recording and tracking each agreement by State Parks.
Volunteer training
Christine Redmond, DNR’s volunteer program coordinator, has held several volunteer trainings this fall and will be scheduling several more across the state in the coming months; so stay tuned. Topics addressed at trainings include first aid; safe lifting; personal safety; back roads driving; securing loads; maintenance standards; cultural resources; outdoor recreation ethics; information on the updated recreation rules; and tool use, safety and maintenance.
If your organization or club is interested in hosting a volunteer training, contact Christine and she can put you in touch with the appropriate DNR staff in the regions. Christine can be reached at 360-902-1632 or christine@[email protected].
Forest watch program
The Recreation Program has also launched a “forest watch” training and emphasis pilot project based on a program similar to the US Forest Service’s Cle Elum Ranger District in the Ahtanum/Cle Elum area. The USFS folks have been very helpful and provided us with a lot of good information. Special thanks to those who have volunteered their time on the forest watch projects. We will be developing two more pilot programs—one in the Reiter Foothills Forest area in eastern Snohomish County and the other in the Tahuya State Forest in Mason County. If you are interested in training and being part of the forest watch program in those areas, contact Christine Redmond.
Recreation planning
We are wrapping up the Ahtanum State Forest Recreation Plan and will post the final version on our website shortly. The Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan is currently in the public review and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) processes.
Sustainable Recreation Work Group recommendations to the Legislature
Work group members will be submitting a preliminary final report to the Legislature on December 1 with their recommendations on how to sustainably fund recreation and improve public access to DNR-managed lands. DNR staff will be putting the finishing touches on the report, which will be posted on DNR’s website in a few weeks. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s available.
Sign installation
The majority of the signs have been installed at both Capitol Forest and Tahuya State Forests, with the exception of the trail markers that volunteers will be helping us to install this winter and spring. The next blocks of land to get new signs will be the western portion of the Yacolt Burn Forest, Ahtanum State Forest, Reiter Foothills Forest, Little Pend Oreille, Sadie Creek, and Walker Valley.
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
[email protected]
November 30, 2009
Hi, folks:
It’s been a month since I last touched base with you. I thought I’d give you an update on what’s been going on with DNR’s Recreation Program.
Snowmobiling update
First, a special thanks to Carl Denton and the Yakima Ski Benders for raising $25,000 to make sure five snow parks stay open this winter on DNR-managed lands. Earlier this fall, we announced that we would need to close these areas because of budget cuts. Positive and proactive efforts like this help keep access to Washington’s great outdoors open to the public.
We are in the process of signing a master license agreement with Washington State Parks for all the winter recreation activities that occur on DNR-managed lands. This is a first and will eliminate the need for each snowmobile club to obtain separate permissions from DNR to groom, plow, or have a snow park on DNR-managed lands. This master agreement will also eliminate the need for DNR to process multiple agreements and recording and tracking each agreement by State Parks.
Volunteer training
Christine Redmond, DNR’s volunteer program coordinator, has held several volunteer trainings this fall and will be scheduling several more across the state in the coming months; so stay tuned. Topics addressed at trainings include first aid; safe lifting; personal safety; back roads driving; securing loads; maintenance standards; cultural resources; outdoor recreation ethics; information on the updated recreation rules; and tool use, safety and maintenance.
If your organization or club is interested in hosting a volunteer training, contact Christine and she can put you in touch with the appropriate DNR staff in the regions. Christine can be reached at 360-902-1632 or christine@[email protected].
Forest watch program
The Recreation Program has also launched a “forest watch” training and emphasis pilot project based on a program similar to the US Forest Service’s Cle Elum Ranger District in the Ahtanum/Cle Elum area. The USFS folks have been very helpful and provided us with a lot of good information. Special thanks to those who have volunteered their time on the forest watch projects. We will be developing two more pilot programs—one in the Reiter Foothills Forest area in eastern Snohomish County and the other in the Tahuya State Forest in Mason County. If you are interested in training and being part of the forest watch program in those areas, contact Christine Redmond.
Recreation planning
We are wrapping up the Ahtanum State Forest Recreation Plan and will post the final version on our website shortly. The Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan is currently in the public review and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) processes.
Sustainable Recreation Work Group recommendations to the Legislature
Work group members will be submitting a preliminary final report to the Legislature on December 1 with their recommendations on how to sustainably fund recreation and improve public access to DNR-managed lands. DNR staff will be putting the finishing touches on the report, which will be posted on DNR’s website in a few weeks. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s available.
Sign installation
The majority of the signs have been installed at both Capitol Forest and Tahuya State Forests, with the exception of the trail markers that volunteers will be helping us to install this winter and spring. The next blocks of land to get new signs will be the western portion of the Yacolt Burn Forest, Ahtanum State Forest, Reiter Foothills Forest, Little Pend Oreille, Sadie Creek, and Walker Valley.
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
[email protected]
