New Plan for Ahtanum State Forest Will Help Improve Recreation Safety and Sustainability
Today, DNR released the Ahtanum State Forest Recreation Plan. For the past two years, DNR staff worked with a citizen group to develop the plan. Members of the Ahtanum Recreation Plan Work Group included representatives from a broad range of motorized and non-motorized recreation interests, as well as a wildlife biologist, a conservationist, and a neighboring landowner to DNR-managed land.
Read more at New plan for Ahtanum State Forest will help improve recreation safety and sustainability
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Washington State DNR Releases Final Recreation Plan For Ahtanum State Forest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2010
DNR, Citizen Group Work To Improve Recreation Opportunities And Access
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today released a recreation plan for the Ahtanum State Forest, a 76,000-acre block of forested state trust land about 20 miles west of Yakima.
The Ahtanum State Forest is a popular year-round recreation area for visitors from both sides of the Cascade Mountains. Over the years, the area has experienced increased use from a variety of recreation activities including off-road vehicle riding, hiking, hunting, and horseback riding.
“This plan provides the foundation for creating safe, sustainable, and enjoyable recreation opportunities in the Ahtanum State Forest,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “The strength of the plan lies in the collaborative efforts of citizens representing diverse recreation interests who helped develop a vision for the forest.”
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State DNR to hold public meeting on Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting to provide information and receive public comments on a draft recreation plan for the Reiter Foothills Forest.
Reiter Foothills Forest is a popular recreation area located in eastern Snohomish County near Gold Bar and Index.
When: Wednesday, November 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: The Commons, Monroe High School, 17001 Tester Rd., Monroe
In 2007, the Washington State Legislature recognized the challenges of managing recreational use at Reiter Foothills Forest and funded DNR’s development of a sustainable recreation plan. For the past two years, DNR has worked with a diverse group of stakeholders – including citizens, user groups, representatives from conservation groups, and local officials – to create a recreation plan that identifies long-term recreation uses and addresses problems in the area.
In addition to Reiter Foothills Forest, DNR is also doing sustainable recreation planning for two other forest areas in Washington State: Ahtanum State Forest near Yakima and the western portion of the Yacolt Burn State Forest, north of Washougal.
DNR will release the draft Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan on its web site on Tuesday, November 10. DNR is requesting feedback from the public about the findings and recommendations in this plan. In conjunction with the public review of the plan, DNR is also conducting an official State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process. The public comment period runs from November 10 through December 4.
For more information about the meeting, contact Candace Johnson, 360-854-2803 or candace.johnson@dnr.wa.gov .
The public can provide all written comments about the Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan or the SEPA environmental analysis to:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
SEPA Center
PO Box 47105
Olympia, WA 98504
sepacenter@dnr.wa.gov
Recreation On DNR-Managed Lands
DNR manages more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, aquatic, agricultural, conservation and urban lands. Most recreation on these lands takes place in the 2.2 million acres of forests that DNR manages as state trust lands. By law, state trust lands are managed to produce income for schools, universities, prisons, state mental hospitals, community colleges, local services in many counties, and the state’s general fund. State trust lands are also managed to provide fish and wildlife habitat and educational and recreational opportunities.
DNR-managed lands provide 1,100 miles of trails, 143 recreation sites, and a variety of landscapes throughout Washington State. Recreational opportunities include hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, motorized vehicle riding, mountain biking, and boating.
DNR’s main recreation focus is to provide trails, trailhead facilities, and a primitive experience in a natural setting.
Media Contact: Toni Droscher, Recreation Program Communications Manager, 360-902-1523 or toni.droscher@dnr.wa.gov .
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