Region 4 Feb Meeting Minutes

[SPR]

FYI...

REGION 4 MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 2015
SELAH, WA

Director Earl Nettnin (Desert Rats) called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence for the sick and departed was observed. No guests were present.

Minutes: A motion was made by Doug Conner (Roamin' Chariots) seconded by Ron Rutherford (Jeepin' Nomads) that we accept the January minutes as printed, motion carried.

Treasurer's Report was given by Sande Nettnin, Treasurer (Desert Rats). Sande passed out copies of the yearend financial reports for the Region and Pick Up A Mountain. A schedule of dates and places where the Region meets was also passed out.

COMP: A schedule of their coming events has been posted on the PNW's Web site. They participated in an event at the Tacoma Dome the second week-end in January; it was a success. A full report will be given this week-end at Winter Convention. They are busy getting ready for the Barrel Extravaganza in Longview May 9 at the Cowlitz County Fair Grounds; more information will be coming on this.

MEMBERSHIP: We have a group of people interested in joining the PNW again their club (The Midnight Mudders) was a member several years ago). They are working on getting their paper work in order and turned in. Skip Frans (Wenatchee Mountain Masters) has been trying to contact a person in the Wenatchee area who had also expressed interest in joining; so far he has not made contact with him. Skip will keep trying.

CLUB POWER/WE DID IT: Keep filling out the forms when your club has an activity and turn them in. Our current Club Power/We Did It Chairman Gary Harting (Desert Rats) is thinking of stepping down so if this is something you might be interested in please contact Region Director Earl Nettnin.

JR JEEPERS: Nothing to report.

TRAIL JAMBOREE: Registration opens in March this year. More information will be discussed at Winter Convention this coming weekend. Shindig Wheelers will not be hosting this year.

PICK UP A MOUNTAIN: Chairman Alicia Palachuk (Shindig Wheelers) reported we have lost our cook for the pancake breakfast on Sunday. Please let Alicia know if you know someone who would like to take this over. If you have some area you or your club would like to help with please get a hold of Alicia. She said lots of volunteers are needed. She also said she is going to try and get information in Tri-Power starting in June. They are looking at possibly changing the logo this year; if you have any ideas please get them to Alicia by April. Alicia is working on putting together a list of duties that she will have available soon; so we can pick an area where we would liked to help. Merrick Graves (High Country Cruisers) suggested some things that had been done at Trail Jamboree; Alicia may consider some of them. Pick Up A Mountain is September 18-20, 2015.

PR - Chairman Clay Graham (Individual Member) said because of Spam; he has changed his email from GoPlay@EasternwashingtonAdventures.com to GoPlay@EasternwashingtonAdventures.net. Clay said if you want information out about an event get him the information and he will send it out. Thanks Clay we appreciate the job you're doing.

LAND MATTERS
Juniper Dunes: Doug Conner reported that the road is still open. The County is having a meeting next Tuesday February 17th at the TRAC in Pasco to discuss the Environmental Assessment which begins its 30 day review and comment period this week. The meeting is kind of an open house from 5 to 8:30 PM with a question and answer period around 6 PM if the attendees desire.

DNR (Department of Natural Resources) Ron Rutherford had a meeting with Jeff Jones and Stephanie Margheim (DNR) today and talked about projects, past closures and issues. Ron presented some dates to see if they will work with us. South Fork of the Ahtanum opens May 1 so a clean-up would be held on April 25th. May 16th will be clean-up of an old demolished cabin in the Strobach Mountain (Cowiche area). The annual Ahtanum work party will begin July 25th, however those who are able can start on the 22nd. Clay Graham said another work party with DNR in the Ahtanum would be April 11 at 10 AM. This will be a Wild Fire Awareness Day. The Ahtanum is closed for the Snowmobile season as far as off road travel except for Nasty Creek and Cowiche area; and is being heavily used by motorized. Clay added his club has a work party for the 613 trail June 27th meet at the Snow Park.

White Pass/Chinook Pass: Forest Service is getting things organized. Saw training classes have been scheduled for re-certification on Saturday March 14th and May 2nd and first time certification will be on June 13th.These will all be held at the Naches Ranger Station at 8 AM. There will be a meeting March 5th with Jeff Leisy (Forest Service) for anyone interested in 4X4 Trail Management Partners. Projects for the Forest Service will be May 30-31, 2015 for the Naches Trail; June 27-28, 2015 for the Kaner.
Ron said he and Doug and Earl have been busy attending lots of meetings trying to keep our trails open. We have a lot of work to do and we all need to stay involved or our trails will go away.

TWIG (Trails Wilderness Interest Group) The Forest Service is looking at using more mechanized equipment to maintain the trails; they are looking to purchase a small excavator and trailer to haul it.

Wenas: a meeting was held on the land exchange in the BBQ Flats area. Discussion followed on the outcome of that meeting. A lot of volunteer help is needed building an Elk fence.

Naneum: Clay Graham reported that the project is about finished. Public meetings will be held soon. There will be seasonal closures and they are working on public access.

Beverly Dunes: Clay Graham reported the next clean-up is November 7, 2015.

Director Earl Nettnin reported at the February 3rd TWIG meeting the Forest Service presented a new project called the Microwave Project located at the top of Bethel Ridge. The comment period is open from now until March 10th. The 625 trail is the only trail we have in that area. They plan to do a little thinning and logging to protect the Microwave tower from fire. We have no objection to what is planned.
They also talked about budgets and the grants. The next TWIG meeting is March 3, 2015. You are required to have a map of the area you are riding in or you will receive a ticket. Motor vehicle maps are provided free of charge at the Forest Service office and available after the Travel Management Plan has been implemented.

Travel Management Plan: the scoping comment period has ended. Thanks to all who made comments. Merrick Graves said 485 comments had been submitted. All roads are closed unless posted open.

Merrick Graves said he got called a couple weeks ago that a special meeting was being put together by volunteers. The Deputy Forest Supervisor had been delegated to deal with the WATV law. They were directed to come up with loops. Merrick worked this as a volunteer with the local ATV & WATV groups and they established four proposed loops on the Naches Ranger District. This exercise was directed at roads not 4X4 trails.

Trail Counters were discussed last month and a power point will be presented at Winter Convention this coming weekend showing the results.

The Slab clean-up at Zillah will be March 21, 2015 starting at 10 AM.

If you want to be in contact with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Public Affairs Officer her contact information is Cathy Dowd, her e-mail is cdowd@fs.fed.us; phone number 509-664-9314.

OLD BUSINESS
PNW4WDA Scholarship Applications are due to the secretary before the 9 AM gavel drops starting the Winter Convention Business meeting February 14, 2015.

All clubs are reminded they had been asked to provide a door prize for Winter Convention, please let President Angie Marek know what you are bringing ASAP.

The White Headed Wood Peckers that we had been asked to help track seemed to be no where around. We did have word that they did find one in the Cle Elum area. Batteries have gone dead by now.

Apparently the Sage Grouse still needs protection, and the Spotted Owl is not going away either.

NEW BUSINESS - None

CLUB REPORTS:
Desert Rats - had their after holiday's party in January with white elephant gift exchange, their delegates plan to attend Winter Convention.

High Country Cruisers - went to Leavenworth for a Sunday afternoon during the Christmas season to watch the lighting.

Roamin' Chariots - are planning their camping trips.

Shindig Wheelers - things are pretty quiet, they have new officers and all but one are women.

Jeepin' Nomads - had their annual meeting last month with election of officers-same slate. They planned camping, wheeling and projects. Two couples are going to Winter Convention. They have their spot secured at the Moonshiners swap meet in March.

Wenatchee Mountain Masters - went to Moses Lake last weekend and had a good time. They have their spot secure at the Moonshiners swap meet in March. Not sure if any of them will attend Winter Convention.

Yakima Valley Timberwolves - have been hibernating due to lack of snow. However, three weeks ago they did drive around the LT Murray Mud Bog. They are looking forward to getting their motor homes ready for spring and summer fun.

Eastern Washington Adventures - New Year's Day they went snow wheeling to Rim Rock & Colockum Pass. Last weekend they went to the Slab for a meet and greet. March 14th they have the 2nd annual Selah Jeep Meet & Greet from 3 - 6 PM at King's Row, 210 S. 1st Street, Selah, WA. The next weekend March 21st is the Slab clean-up and Mother's Day a camp out is planned at Juniper Dunes in Smith Canyon.

Next Region 4 meeting dates will be:
March 10, 2015 Abby's Pizza in East Wenatchee, WA 7:30 PM
April 14, 2015 Doug Conner's shop Pasco, WA 7:30 PM

FUTURE EVENTS/WORK PARTIES
February 13-15, 2015 - Winter Convention in Bothell, WA Hosted by the PNW Board
March 7, 2015 PNW BOARD Meeting - in Edgewood, WA Hosted by The Hombres
March 8, 2015 Spanaway Moonshiners swap meet - at the Puyallup, WA Fair Grounds
March 14, 2015 - Recertification Saw class 8 AM at the Naches Ranger Station
March 14, 2015 - Selah Jeep Meet & Greet at Kings Row in Selah 3 to 6 PM
March 21, 2015 - Slab Clean-up
April 18, 2015 - Jim Sprick Park Clean-up.

GOOD OF THE ORDER
The White Knuckle Swap meet in September has been canceled.

A motion was made by Doug Conner and seconded by Ruth Andrews to adjourn at 8:55 PM motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,



Sande Nettnin (Desert Rats)
Secretary/Treasurer

[Grumpy]

Thanks for posting this Steve! I keep getting side tracked with stuff, so glad you got it!