DNR Update

[Grumpy]

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@redmond@dnr.wa.gov.

Forest watch program

The Recreation Program has also launched a “forest watchâ€

[tobyw]

Yakima Ski Benders for raising $25,000 to make sure five snow parks stay open this winter

These guys can generate $25k for a single season of funding and we (meaning the NW off-road community, not PP in particular) don't even have a single fund raiser that I'm aware of? No wonder we are losing our play areas...

[iaccocca]

Danny and I were 'talking' about this the other day. They are organized, they hit up their vendors, etc. We should be learning from our friends the sledders.