User Comments Seeked for the New Teanaway Forest

[SPR]

FYI.... I was once told by a State Official that letter's from individuals (not form letters) can have meaningful impact on decisions made by State Officials. Sometimes it simply comes down to, "who cares enough to provide comments".

HELP SAVE TEANAWAY FOREST
Last year the State purchased a huge piece of land in the headwaters of the Yakima Basin from a private timber company with the intent of creating the Teanaway Community Forest. The stated goals include preserving working forest lands and enhancing recreational opportunities.

To help guide the State in implementing this plan a citizen advisory committee was formed. There are 20 members on the advisory committee, but the DNR allowed only one person to represent motorized recreation.
Deck is stacked against us so if ORV enthusiasts don't get more involved we will lose out on this excellent riding area opportunity.

The DNR has a legal requirement to allow multiple uses of the land when it does not compromise their trust management obligations. ORV use has historically proven to be one of the most compatible uses within working forests and as such should be prioritized accordingly.

ORV recreation is been proven example of a form of recreation compatible with working forests and has been taking place in this area for at least four decades.

Even prior this community forest legislation, the DNR has been directed by RCW79.10 to facilitate multi-use public access whenever it is compatible with their trust obligations.

The DNR is continuing to collect comments on how the Teanaway Forest should be managed.

You can help out by going to this website and adding your pro-ORV comments:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K82Q3RP

The next step is contact your State Senator and both of your State House of Representative members and let them know that ORV trails in the Teanaway Community Forest are important to you and an appropriate use of the public forest lands.

You can find your State Legislators by going to

http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

For more information on how you can help save the Teanaway Forest and other ORV issues, go to www.nmaoffroad.org and www.wohva.org. See how you can join us in the battle to protect our right to recreate on public land.

[Grumpy]

Dang you're quick...

[Livin4Today]

Found the following on Facebook today... Is this something we should be sending representation too?

Facebook Link https://www.facebook.com/groups/966972753318177/permalink/997503916931727/

Mike Reimer
13 hrs

There are two really important meetings coming up regarding motorized access in the Teanaway Community Forest. The first one is Thursday Dec. 4th from 5-8 pm at the Teanwaway Community Grange. This will be an opportunity for those to see where we are in the process of tackling the 5 legislative goals of the forest, including recreation. This meeting is informal in nature in that stations will be set around the room with people mingling and conversing with Agency officials and Teanaway Committee members. It would be great to get a large showing of ORV enthusiasts (wear your jersey, hat, etc.) to come show your support for motorized users and ask questions and express your desire for access in the final plan.

The next date to mark is Thursday Dec. 11th, from 2-8 pm also at the Teanaway Grange. This is our public meeting which will provide opportunity for public comment (approx 5 pm). I would like volunteers to come speak and am looking for people with a quick story to tell. Specifically, I would like to hear from folks that have been riding in and around the Teanaway for many years and how it has been a part of their family recreation activities. Next, I'd like to hear from people who can share with us how ORV's may have changed their life for the better, like how the choice to ride motorcycles has made a positive difference in their family, school, career, etc. Also, I'd like to get a volunteer project story that a local ORV club has participated in... could be trail restoration, clearing or garbage clean-up.

It is really important that we have a strong (and civil) presence at these two meetings to represent the motorized community! We don't want to be discriminated against or overlooked in this process! I'm tho ONLY ORV advocate on the committee and need your help! Please respond to me either on this post or via private message to let me know if you have a story to tell or if you can just attend.

Lastly, don't think that the Teanaway Community Forest is no big deal to lose, because I can ride somewhere else. If we can make a positive difference there, it may influence their decision to go after your favorite riding spot in the future!
Please mark your calendars for Dec 4th and 11th!!


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Clay Graham and 8 others like this.

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Sean Clarke I'll be there for both!
12 hrs