Wild Sky Trails Plan Completed!

Posted by Sarah Krueger, Public Lands Programs Manager

Yesterday, the Forest Service unveiled the Wild Sky Trails Plan, providing a vision for new and improved access for both hikers and equestrians to the State's most recently-designated wilderness area.  When Congress established the Wild Sky Wilderness in 2008, the legislation called for a trail plan to establish system of trails to provide access to the wilderness area.

The Mountaineers and The Wilderness Society convened a focus group of hiking and wilderness enthusiasts in fall of 2011 to inform the planning process, providing a map and prioritized list of trail recommendations to the Forest Service.  We are happy to see many of our recommendations reflected in the new plan, which outlines over 50 miles of trails in or adjacent to the Wild Sky (including improvements to existing trails).

Plans are great, but action is even better.  Thankfully, the Wild Sky Trail Plan is already coming to fruition with several trail proposals already underway or completed including the Beckler Creek Trail, additions to the Iron Goat Trail, Frog Mountain Trail and relocation of the Kelly Creek Trail.  Each new trail will require site specific analysis and environmental review and it takes an average of 3-5 years to implement projects after funding is received.  The Wild Sky Trails Plan is an important tool that will help leverage funding for implementation and will guide Forest in prioritizing resources over the years to come.  Thanks to all who contributed to the planning effort!

Volunteers Needed to Evaluate Grants for Parks, Trails and Boating

News release
OLYMPIA – The state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is seeking volunteers to evaluate grant applications that will help decide where the next parks, trails and boat launches will go in the state.  The volunteers will serve on one of eight advisory committees that will evaluate and rank grant requests in the spring and summer of 2014 for all types of recreation around the state. Volunteers with expertise in project design or management, landscape architecture, planning or engineering, permitting or property acquisition especially are encouraged to apply. Volunteers serve four years. Applications are due June 14.

Parks: Nine volunteers are needed to evaluate grant proposals in three different park grant programs.

• One volunteer is needed to evaluate grant requests in the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account  program, which provides money to buy, improve and protect tidelands and shorelines for the public. The volunteer should have recreation and public access interests.
• Two volunteers are needed to evaluate grant applications in the Land and Water Conservation Fund  program, which provides grants to preserve and develop parks, trails and wildlife lands. The volunteers should use parks, trails or wildlife lands. One volunteer should be a citizen and one should work for a local government.
• Six volunteers are needed to evaluate grant proposals in the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, which provides money to buy, develop and renovate lands for the public. When applying, select the online application for Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) – Outdoor Recreation.
• One volunteer should be from a recreational organization or parks board and three should be from local government. These volunteers will evaluate grant applications from state agencies and will serve on the State Lands Development and Renovation Advisory Committee.
• Two volunteers should work for local government and have experience managing parks for a diverse range of recreational activities. These volunteers will evaluate grant applications to buy land, build or improve local parks and will serve on the Local Parks Advisory Committee.

Trails: Seven volunteers are needed to evaluate grant requests in three different trail grant programs.

• One volunteer, who is a back-road recreationist (camper, wildlife watcher, gatherer, etc.) is needed to evaluate grant requests in the Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Activities program, which provides money to help plan, buy land, develop and maintain trails, as well as provide trail education and law enforcement activities.
• One volunteer is needed to evaluate grant requests in the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. (Be sure to select the online application for Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) – Outdoor Recreation when applying.)
• The remaining five volunteers are needed to evaluate grant requests in the Recreational Trails Program, which provides money to help rehabilitate and maintain backcountry trails and amenities. Two volunteers should be citizens, and three should be from trail organizations, one each representing motorcyclists, mountain bikers and non-motorized boaters such as canoe users and kayakers.

Boating: Two volunteers are needed to evaluate grant requests in two programs that provide money to acquire or develop land for boating facilities. One volunteer from eastern Washington, who can represent motorized, recreational boating, and one volunteer who works for a local government are needed to evaluate grant proposals in the Boating Facilities Program and the Boating Infrastructure Grant program. (When applying, select the online application for boating programs.)

To Apply: Submit a completed application and support materials to RCO no later than June 14. Online applications are available.

Information: Contact Lorinda Anderson at 360-902-3009 (TTY: 360-902-1996).