Start of the Fire Lookout Season

The Mountaineers Everett Branch's Lookout and Trail Maintenance Crew’s 2014 season has begun! Member Bruce Wolverton describes 'opening season' at the Mt. Pilchuck lookout:

In my world, spring means the beginning of another amazing season of maintenance work some of our State's lookout towers. This weekend marked our last big haul to get foundation lumber and supplies moved up to Mt. Pilchuck for a week’s worth of work. We started at the Verlot Ranger station, getting the materials and supplies at large beams ready to be helicoptered up to the lookout. This was quite a logistical undertaking, as everything had to be weighed and marked so that pilot would know exactly how much he could take with each flight.

Replacement beams ready to be weighed.

More materials for work on the Pilchuck Lookout

 

Our hike up started early in the morning as we wanted to get a spot ready for the pilot to land the equipment and large beams. Unfortunately, as soon as we got up there, clouds surrounded the area, making it impossible for the pilot to drop off our needed supplies. There was plenty of other smaller prep work to be done, so we all got busy until evening. 

Clouds surrounding the Lookout - beautiful!

 

Two Mountaineers members replacing decking.

We woke up the following morning and radioed the helicopter to see what time they could try to make the drop. After a short breakfast we could hear the chopper coming up through the valley carrying the load - and then the clouds came in again. Communication around this went back and forth all morning, until our batteries started to run out. The chopper was able to fly up, with no load, to bring us new batteries so we could continue to communicate. Dropping off the radio equipment, visitors and sightseers went running towards the helicopter like it was Santa giving away pieces of candy – a very funny sight!

Some of the 'smaller' projects we took care of over the weekend included painting and replacing decking and railing pieces. A low point of the weekend was finding a section of decking that leads out onto a large rock which some campers decided to use as a fire pit. What a bummer that some folks chose to leave such a negative impact. We worked on this section, too – it’s safe to walk on again!

Vandalized section of decking 

The loads were finally able to be dropped off during the week when there was clear weather and we look forward to tackling some of the bigger projects up there! 

Hope these photos help illustrate the beauty that Washington's lookout towers offer to all of us!

- Bruce Wovlerton, Mountaineers member, Everett Branch

Full Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 2015?

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is the nation’s premier conservation and outdoor recreational access funding program, established by Congress 50 years ago. 

photo: American Whitewater

Since then, more than $530 million of LWCF has been used to protect Washington's most iconic outdoor places like Mount Rainier, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Columbia Gorge, and wildlife refuges across the state. At all levels of land management – federal, state and local – LWCF investments are essential to outdoor recreation, economic growth, and protecting natural areas important to us.

LWCF is unique from other public lands funding in that it doesn't use any taxpayer dollars – it is completely funded by a small part of royalties that come from offshore oil and gas drilling. 

Every year, $900 million of the billions of dollars that US Treasury gets from offshore drilling is set aside for Fund. However, many of these funds, over $ 18 billion, have been diverted elsewhere. 

The Mountaineers considers LWCF a vital resource for outdoor recreation and conservation, and we advocate for full funding through our partner, Washington Wildlife and RecreationCoalition. (You can learn more about the LWCF on their website.)

Currently there is significant support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund at the federal level:

• Washington Senator Patty Murray recently co-sponsored a bill to reauthorize and fully fund the LWCF at $900 million. 
• For the first time, the President’s budget includes full funding for LWCF. 
• This past December, WA Congressman Reichert joined a number of otherHouse Republicans in support of funding the LWCF.  

Needless to say, there is a lot of positive work being done towards fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund. You can join in by asking your elected official to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 2015 and thank Senator Murray for her work. 

Olympic National Park: Wilderness Draft Alternatives

Olympic National Park (ONP) recently moved up the 5^th most visited National Park in the United States! ONP had 3,085,340 recreational visitors in 2013. In comparison, Mt. Rainier National Park reported only 1,148,552. (For more, check out this Seattle Times article). For those that know the park, this probably comes with no surprise. As the Park Service often boasts, stunning mountain vistas, ocean tidepools, and some of the largest tracks of ancient forests left in the U.S., make spending time in ONP like visiting three parks in one!

Based on this popularity, finding a balance between minimizing recreationists’ impact while continuing to have recreational access is a priority for The Mountaineers. Read on for information on the Park's Wilderness Stewardship Plan.

Olympic National Park Stewardship Plan Draft Alternatives

With 95% of the Park being designated Wilderness, the Wilderness Stewardship Plan and Environmental Impact Statement that the Park is working on will have long-term impact on conserving this amazing place. The Park undertook public scoping for the plan in the spring of 2013.  The Mountaineers submitted comments on the plan (dated 05.14.13). The Park received 260 total correspondences, from which they developed a range of draft alternatives. Read their summary of alternatives and read more about their planning process on their website. 

The Park Service is asking you to weigh in!

You can submit comments on the draft alternatives:

- Online 

- Mail them to: 

Sarah Creachbaum, Superintendent

ATTN: WSP Preliminary Draft Alternatives

Olympic National Park

600 E. Park Avenue

Port Angeles, WA 98362  

- Attend one of a series of public meetings 

Comments are being accepted through May 17, 2014.

Dirt roads, clean water and national forests? Washington Watershed Restoration Initiative to the rescue!

By Marlies Wierenga, Pacific NW Conservation Manager for WildEarth Guardians and WWRI Coordinator

Passage of the Northwest Forest Plan in the mid 1990s was a turning point for conservation. Not only did spotted owls and salmon begin to have a chance at survival but the land and water they depend on were given the ability to heal. Federal, state, local, private landowners across the state stepped up to do their part and everyone lived happily ever after. Right?

Well, not exactly. In 2006, six years after the Forest Service signed an agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology (WSDE) to bring its roads up to standard by 2016, little work had been done.  SWDE – as the administrator of the Clean Water Act in the state – was obligated to do something. State and large private timber landowners were well underway with meeting their road agreements in the Northwest Forest Plan, but federal lands were falling far behind.

Instead of slapping the federal forests with fines, WSDE joined a coalition of state agencies, tribes and recreation/conservation NGO’s (including The Mountaineers) – which became the Washington Watershed Restoration Initiative (WWRI). The coalition agreed that the Forest Service wanted to uphold their agreement – they just didn’t have the funds to do so. The WWRI met with Congressman Norm Dicks and soon “Stormin Normin” was providing the lead (and Congress followed) to secure federal funding for road management. The Legacy Roads and Trails Remediation program (LRT) began! This funding provided the Forest Service the help they needed to get started.  In the first year, Congress appropriated $40 million to the program, of which $3.5 million came to forests in Washington State.

Before: Mt. Loop Highway in the Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. By the white poles on the left is a culvert that was rusted out. The road slope was caving in, making the roadway too narrow and adding sediment of the river.

After: LRT dollars were used to replace the rusted culvert with a bigger one that can handle more water during storms and will prevent the road from washing away. The side of the road was reinforced with a rock wall to gain back road width and make it safer to drive.

But how does this program help clean water? 

Forest roads were first built decades ago to access timber harvest sites and were not designed to last forever. With all the rainfall in Western Washington, water is a problem. Water runs along ditches along the sides of the road, over the road, through culverts under the road and often pours straight into streams – carrying all the dirt it picks up along the way. This can add up to dumptruck after dumptruck of sediment, which not only pollutes the water but buries spawning grounds of threatened salmon. Because these roads are old and often built in the wrong places, when winter storms come through, the roads can wash away or become victims of landslides. Dirty streams, buried fish eggs and loss of access to trails and campsites – rather bleak picture.

The good news is that these problems can be solved – through programs such as Legacy Roads and Trails. LRT is a targeted program, aimed at improving water quality, but funds multiple road-related projects, such as:

• Road maintenance and storm-proofing projects – to increase the ability to ‘weather’ powerful storms and ensure access to places we love.
• Road decommissioning projects – to remove unneeded roads and reduce the delivery of sediment to streams (often these roads are spur roads or old roads that are already closed).
• Road relocation projects – to move roads out of the floodplain where they can be washed out. 
• Aquatic passage projects – to replace small culverts under roads with much larger culverts which allow fish to move easier up and downstream (and also improves the roads resilience during a storm).
• Bridge projects – to replace old bridges with newer bridges that are safe for our cars to use.
• Trail projects – to maintain/improve trails or convert roads to trails where it makes sense.

Legacy Roads and Trails is not a permanent program.  Each year the WWRI coalition shows its support and encourages our Senators and Congresswomen/men to continue funding for the program.  In last years budget, the program was cut by 22%, which makes it even more difficult to get projects done.  Ongoing, reliable funding is desperately needed.

If you’d like to help, here are some ways to get involved:

• Contact Senators Murray or Cantwell, or your Congressional representatives and let them know you recognize the problem, you use roads to access many places in federal forests, and you support adequate funding for Legacy Roads and Trails.
• Be another set of eyes for the Forest Service: with thousands of miles of roads, they can’t keep track of everything.  If you see a plugged culvert or road washout or other road maintenance problem, let your local district ranger know.

 For more information and numbers on these issues and project, visit the WWRI website or read this great report on the first five years of the Legacy Roads and Trails program.

Hurricane Ridge Road Winter Access

Snowshoeing in Olympic National Park; photo credit NPS 

As winter is still in full effect in most of our mountains, access for recreational opportunities in ONP continues to be a priority for many folks.

Hurricane Ridge Road is the primary access point for winter recreation in Olympic National Park. The road is open throughout the summer, and on weekends, weather-permitting, in the winter. Historically, the Park was able to keep the road opened and plowed throughout the winter, but budget cuts over the past decade have limited access. 

Limited access to the park in the winter impacts outdoor recreation and the economic multipliers recreationists bring to local communities. A coalition of local and regional citizens, elected officials, and business that are advocating for seven-day a week winter access to Hurricane Ridge. For more information, visit Access the Ridge and Olympic National Park’s website.

Vantage Toilet Installed!

It’s in!  

Last year, the Washington Climbers Coalition, the American Alpine Club and The Mountaineers, with support from the Access Fund, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Spokane Mountaineers and the entire Northwest climbing community, raised $50,000 for the installation of a toilet at the Frenchman Coulee climbing area (better known as Vantage) in Central Washington. 

Having a toilet facility there will greatly reduce impact on the area, helping conserve this amazing place for generations to come.

American Alpine Club’s Northwest Regional Manager went out to Vantage this week to see the new toilet in all its glory:

Check out our blogpost from last year to learn more about the partnerships and work that made this project happen!

Stayed tuned for a celebration and opportunities for stewardship of the area this spring!

The Big Tent in 2014 and Big News from Olympia

There is Big News for outdoor recreation from Olympia! On February 13^th Governor Inslee announced the formation of a Blue Ribbon Task Force on Outdoor Recreation in Washington State. Read the official proclamation and his office’s news release!

 

Outdoor recreation activities in Washington directly support 227,000 jobs and consumers spend $22.5 billion on outdoor recreation equipment, apparel, lodging, and other services, generating $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue (see the Outdoor Industry Association for more information). 

The Mountaineers was proud to be a part of the event, representing our members, our conservation work and human-powered user groups as part of the Big Tent Coalition. We believe that outdoor recreationists have a unique obligation to engage and be involved in the conservation of our public lands for future generations. Based on our legacy of stewardship and conservation work, land managers and policy makers recognize The Mountaineers as a reputable and responsible stakeholder, and an important and balanced voice for conservation and recreational access. 

You can check out information on the Big Tent’s 2013 work here. 

Govenor Inslee perhaps said it best, “This isn’t just about Washington’s economy. This is also about a generational legacy in our state. We need to leave a Washington that allows every single one of us – young or old – to experience, play and relax in some of the most beautiful trails, parks and lakes in the world. I know we can find a way forward to making sure Washington’s beautiful outdoor spaces are promoted and preserved for generations to come.”

Encouraging News for the Elwha Restoration Project

We are thrilled to hear that biologists have observed the largest Chinook salmon run since 1992 in the Elwha River and that dam removal is back on schedule. Biologists counted 1,741 adult Chionook and mapped 763 redds (salmon nests) between the mouth of the river and Glines Canyon dam. Of the total salmon counted during the one-day survey, 75% were observed upstream of the former Elwha Dam site.

The dam project, which began in September of 2011, had been on pause for the last year while water intake issues were dealt with at the Elwha Water facilities site.  While the engineers were working at the facilities site, habitat restoration within the drained reservoirs continued in full force. By the beginning of October dam removal was ready to resume and a ten foot vertical notch was blasted from the Glines Canyon dam.  Additional notches in the dam will be made in the next calendar year on case by case basis depending on current flows and reservoir levels and will continue until the sediments settle appropriately. The National Park has some great details about the process here.

The dam removal project is projected to be completed in 2014 but habitat restoration efforts will continue for the next five years. During this time biologists and researchers will continue to study the river as it changes and we look forward to seeing salmon populations approach 400,000 once again.

To learn even more about this incredible project check out the Burke Museum’s newest exhibit based on The Mountaineers book Elwha: A River Reborn.

         "Elwha: A River Reborn takes you to the Northwest's legendary Elwha River Valley to discover the people, places, and history behind a remarkable local story--and the largest dam removal project ever undertaken."

The exhibit goes through March 9, 2014. More details about the Burke exhibit can be found here.  

Also check out the awesome videos of the project put together by Olympic National Park http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/restorationoftheelwha.htm

Last Chance to Comment on the Sustainable Roads Project

Tell the forest service what roads matter to you!

The Forest Service is holding their final public meeting for the Sustainable Roads Project in Everett on November 13 (rescheduled due to government shutdown earlier in October). This series of public meetings have been scheduled to help the forest service identify a road system within budget for safe travel, use, administration and resource protection. In simpler terms, the forest service can only afford to maintain about a quarter of the 2500 miles of roads that crisscross our forests. They need public input to help make future decisions about road projects such as upgrades, closures, decomissioning and road to trail conversions.  This is your chance to provide feedback on what roads are important to you and why. Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie FS staff and local recreation and conservation leaders will be on hand to answer your questions.

Please note that comments via online survey closed October 31st.

Event Details

When: Nov. 13, 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Where: Everett Community College, Jackson Conference Center, 2000 Tower Street, Everett, WA 98201

Free Parking Flyer, Campus Map and Directions 

Who:  You!

RSVP: to sustainableroads@gmail.com.

Background on Sustainable Roads

Each year five million people visit the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. They drive forest roads to get to their destinations, to experience spectacular vistas at places such as Big Four Ice Caves, Mt. Baker, Heather Meadows, Skagit Wild and Scenic River and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. But what does the future hold for these beloved places?

Approximately 2,500 miles of roads crisscross the forest, from the Canadian border to the Mt. Rainier National Park on the western Cascades.  The Forest Service can afford to maintain about a quarter of them.

Guided by mandates in the 2005 Travel Management Rule, each national forest must identify a road system by 2015 within budget for safe travel, use, administration and resource protection.  To complete this report, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest staff wants to find out what roads are important to the public and why.

Eight meetings are scheduled June through October in Seattle, Sedro-Woolley, Issaquah, Bellingham, Enumclaw, Monroe and Everett. Those who do not attend a meeting will be able to give their input online.   Partners and stakeholders representing a broad range of interests, from environmental, timber industry to off-road vehicle groups, have formed a “Sustainable Roads Cadre” to engage the public in the process.

A science-driven approach developed by the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station and Portland State University will be used to understand how people use and value landscapes and resources. Social scientists from the lab will guide meeting participants in using maps to identify places of significance and assign values or activities associated with them.

This process creates socio-spatial layers that will be incorporated into digital map data to contribute to the report and can be used for future recreation and stewardship planning.  The results will provide visual displays of visitor destinations, routes, and show places with special meaning or value.

The forest will share the results with the public in the late fall after the report is compiled and analyzed.  No decisions will be made.  Before doing road upgrades, closures, decommissioning or road conversions to trail, the forest will execute the National Environmental Policy Analysis.

“The future is uncertain. But that doesn’t mean we can afford to stand back and let circumstances dictate our decisions for us. This analysis will guide us, in a holistic forest-wide approach, choosing the roads we can afford to keep open,” said Jennifer Eberlien, forest supervisor.

Learn more about the Sustainable Roads Process 

Fundraising goal met for Vantage toilet!

The Washington Climbers Coalition, the American Alpine Club and The Mountaineers announced on July 18 that they have reached their fundraising goal to install a toilet at the Frenchman Coulee climbing area in central Washington. “It is going to be a great day when, after a two or three hour drive from Seattle or Spokane, there is some place to ‘go’,” said Washington Climbers Coalition president Dave Haavik. 

Climbers at Vantage's Feathers.
Photo by Brad Stracener.

Climbers have been asking for a permanent toilet facility at the popular Frenchman Coulee climbing area (often referred to as "Vantage") for 20 years.  In February 2012 the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife authorized the project, saying they would built a toilet if climbers could fund it.  A fundraising goal of $50,000 was announced in March 2012.  The Washington Climbers Coalition reports that the $45,000 mark was met in June 2013 when they received a grant from the Spokane Mountaineers.  The American Alpine Club holds another grant from the Access Fund in the amount of $5,000 which is dedicated to this effort.  Virtually all of the local climbing clubs in Washington and several gyms and climbing shops, have hosted fundraising events or made significant donations to the effort. 

This project presents challenges above and beyond the simple matter of building a toilet.  State regulations required a cultural resource study to insure that no sensitive artifacts are disturbed.  The hole for the holding tank is going to have to be blasted into bedrock.  An ADA ramp will serve the entry.  But it will all be worth it: the planned facility will be a concrete vault toilet similar to those at many recreation sites across the state and it will replace porta-potties and cat-holes to provide a much more enjoyable and environmentally sustainable climbing destination.  “We are on track for an installation in the fall,” said Washington Department of Wildlife Assistant Manager for Frenchman Coulee, Chad Eidson.

This popular climbing and hiking destination features outstanding rock climbing in a desert environment and attracts climbers from around the region.  The area includes climbs for virtually all ability levels, and hundreds of climbers can be found here on a busy weekend in the spring or fall.  Frenchman Coulee is a Northwest gem where thousands of climbers left the ground for the first time.  The construction of a toilet facility will be a big step toward taking care of this valuable recreation area.     

Glacier Creek Road 39; Public Scoping Now Open for Your Comments

Project Vicinity Map, USFS image. 

Due to a washout that occurred on May 14th of this year Forest Service Road 39 has been damaged and is temporarily closed.  The U.S. Forest Service, Mt. Baker Ranger District is open for public comment regarding the repair of approximately 60 feet of road at Milepost 2.8.

Currently the road is closed to all motorized vehicles at Thompson Creek Bridge (MP 1.0) due to the severity of damage.

Washout at Glacier Creek Forest Service Road 39, USFS image. 

In order to meet the needs of forest users, access to the area will be restored in accordance with the goals of both the Forest Service Strategic Plan FY 2007-2012; and the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (1990).

Proposed Action: The Proposed Action to repair FS Road 39 includes stabilizing the soil on the grade side with 20-80' soil nails, applying a spray concrete to any surface at any grade, and reducing subsurface seepage with a drainage system. All work will be done within the existing road prism footprint. 

Proposed Action, USFS image.

How to Comment: The Forest Service is inviting the public to provide comments on the analysis and issues for the proposed project by August 19, 2013. Comments should be in the form of specific issues raised by the action as proposed.

Comments my be written or electronic. 

Address comments to Theresa Mathis, Environmental Coordinator, Attn: Glacier Creek Road (FSR 39) Repair, Mt. Baker Ranger District, 810 State Route 20, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284.

Electronic comments may be sent via fax to (360) 856-1934 or email to tjmathis@fs.fed.us Documents must include "Glacier Creek Road (FSR 39) Repair" in the subject line. 

For more information please contact Jim Mitchell, Project Leader, North Zone Engineering, Mt. Baker Ranger District, (360) 854-2620, jbmitchell@fs.fed.us or Theresa Mathis, Environmental Coordinator at (360) 854-2632. 

Current road conditions in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest can be found here.

Celebrating 100 years of beautiful climbing--and the hidden surprises on Denali

A view from the top. Photo- National Park Service

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first summit on Denali (aka Mount McKinley), which is for many the ultimate image of a pristine wilderness. However, recent research by Dr. Michael Loso from Alaska Pacific University points to a very different reality. By calculating the average number of climbers who have ascended the popular West Buttress Route and the average multi-week expedition length of 18 days, Dr. Loso estimates between 152,000 and 215,000 pounds of human waste have been deposited by climbers in crevasses of the Kahiltna Glacier. In more illustrative terms, we are talking 13 adult male Asian elephants’ worth of waste in the crevasses.

While the waste may be out of sight, it is buried by snow accumulation and incorporated into a river of ice that moves 1,400 feet per year in some areas. Preliminary findings suggest the crevassed waste remains biologically active and will emerge at the Great Ice falls in the next decade (9.3 miles downstream from Basecamp). The National Park Service anticipates public health issues as well as negative impact on the visitor experience as these waste piles start emerging.

A 2007 mandate in Denali National Park requires climbers at base camp (7,200 feet) and those who ascend above the camp at 14,200 feet to pack out waste in a personal, portable canister called a Clean Mountain Can (CMC). Since implementation, conditions have greatly improved above the 17,200-foot High Camp, which had become notoriously unsanitary.

“Climbers have been really receptive to changes,” said Lead Mountaineering Ranger Coley Gentzel. “Staff has seen nothing but positive reactions towards the CMC program.” While the pack-out program has succeeded in reducing waste encountered at the high camps, climbers are still directed to deposit the contents of their CMCs into designated crevasses below the 14,200-foot camp.

The findings at the Kahiltna raise questions about the ongoing practice of crevasse disposal on Denali. Meanwhile, two popular summits closer to home—Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker—have long required that climbers pack out their waste with “blue bags” that are issued with climbing permits. Blue Bags must be disposed of in designated receptacles, not in the garbage.

What can you do to reduce your impact on other snowy summits? Commercially available products like Cleanwaste WAG Bags and Biffy Bags include a biodegradable powder that deodorizes and neutralizes solid waste so that it can be disposed of directly in the trash after your adventure.

To read more on the story please visit www.nps.gov/dena/naturescience.

Forest Road Planning Meetings Announced

News Release from Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

 Photo by Gary Paull.

Everett, Wash., June 10, 2013—Each year five million people visit the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. They drive forest roads to get to their destinations, to experience spectacular vistas at places such as Big Four Ice Caves, Mt. Baker, Heather Meadows, Skagit Wild and Scenic River and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. But what does the future hold for these beloved places?

Approximately 2,500 miles of roads crisscross the forest, from the Canadian border to the Mt. Rainier National Park on the western Cascades.  The Forest Service can afford to maintain about a quarter of them.

Guided by mandates in the 2005 Travel Management Rule, each national forest must identify a road system by 2015 within budget for safe travel, use, administration and resource protection.  To complete this report, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest staff wants to find out what roads are important to the public and why.

Eight meetings are scheduled June through October in Seattle, Sedro-Woolley, Issaquah, Bellingham, Enumclaw, Monroe and Everett. Those who do not attend a meeting will be able to give their input online.   Partners and stakeholders representing a broad range of interests, from environmental, timber industry to off-road vehicle groups, have formed a “Sustainable Roads Cadre” to engage the public in the process.

A science-driven approach developed by the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station and Portland State University will be used to understand how people use and value landscapes and resources. Social scientists from the lab will guide meeting participants in using maps to identify places of significance and assign values or activities associated with them.

This process creates socio-spatial layers that will be incorporated into digital map data to contribute to the report and can be used for future recreation and stewardship planning.  The results will provide visual displays of visitor destinations, routes, and show places with special meaning or value.

The forest will share the results with the public in the late fall after the report is compiled and analyzed.  No decisions will be made.  Before doing road upgrades, closures, decommissioning or road conversions to trail, the forest will execute the National Environmental Policy Analysis.

“The future is uncertain. But that doesn’t mean we can afford to stand back and let circumstances dictate our decisions for us. This analysis will guide us, in a holistic forest-wide approach, choosing the roads we can afford to keep open,” said Jennifer Eberlien, forest supervisor.

Learn more about the Sustainable Roads Process.  If you cannot attend a meeting, visit the Sustainable Roads blog site and complete a questionnaire.

Sustainable Roads Meeting Schedule
RSVP to sustainableroads@gmail.com, capacity is limited and attendance is on a first-come basis.

June 29, 10 a.m.-12:30 noon
Seattle, REI downtown

July 9, 10 a.m.-12:30 noon
Sedro-Woolley, Mt. Baker District office

July 23, 5:30-8 p.m.
Issaquah Main Fire Station office

Aug. 6, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Enumclaw Public Library

Aug. 21, 4:30-7 p.m.
Darrington Public Library

Sept. 10, 5:30-8 p.m.
Bellingham Public Library

Sept. 24, 1-3:30 p.m.
Monroe Public Library

Oct. 9, 5:30-8 p.m.
Everett Public Library downtown

Comment period for proposed Skykomish Dam

Posted by Sarah Krueger, Public Lands Programs Manager

On June 12, hundreds of people packed an overflowing public meeting at the Index Fire Station to express concerns about the Snohomish County Public Utility District's plans to build a dam and power plant near Sunset Falls on the South Fork Skykomish River, one mile south of Index.  This section of the Skykomish (home to threatened salmon and bull trout) is noted for its ecological and recreational values and has been recommended to Congress for National Wild and Scenic River designation by the U.S. Forest Service. Check out the video below of salmon returning to the proposed dam site.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is currently reviewing the "Pre-Application Document" submitted by the Snohomish County PUD for the licensing of the proposed dam and is accepting public comments on the proposal until July 19.  You can review the official scoping documents online and learn more about the "Save the Skykomish" campaign.

Official comments should be submitted online by July 19 with the FERC's eComment tool.  All filings  must include the project name (Sunset Falls Fish Passage and Energy Project) and number (P-14295-001), and
bear the appropriate heading: “Comments on Pre-Application Document”.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Legislation Passes Senate

Senator Patty Murray announced yesterday that Senate Bill 112, The Alpine Lakes Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act, passed the Senate by unanimous consent!  The Mountaineers have long supported the effort to federally designate the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild & Scenic and also expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness by 22,000 acres to include important lower-elevation forests.  Learn more. 

Rafting the Middle Fork Snoqualmie.  Photo by Tom O'Keefe.  

“Today we moved one step closer to expanding the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and ensuring this pristine landscape will be preserved as a legacy for generations to come,”said Senator Murray, “This designation will allow our children and grandchildren to experience these special places in their natural state.”

 “The Alpine Lakes Wilderness offers incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation just 45 minutes from Seattle,” said Senator Cantwell. “Areas like Alpine Lakes help make Washington state unique, and draw visitors and talented workers to our communities. Wilderness areas also ensure the supply of clean water and vibrant wildlife populations."

 Companion legislation has also been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-1), Dave Reichert (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-05), and Jim McDermott (WA-07). The House Natural Resources Committee announced that it will hold a hearing for the bill in July. Stay tuned for results from that hearing!

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).

Wish State Parks a happier birthday

By Sarah Krueger, Public Lands Programs Manager

Peshastin Pinnacles.  Photo by Todd Gordon.

Washington is home to an incredibly diverse State Park system – where you can climb the sandstone spires of Peshastin Pinnacles, paddle the dynamic currents of Deception Pass or witness annual eagle migrations along the Skagit River at Rockport.  2013 marks the 100th birthday of Washington State Parks – but there seems to be little to celebrate.  A recent Seattle Times article by Lynda Mapes chronicles the demise of funding for state parks.

Realizing that Discover Pass sales alone won’t keep our parks open, the Washington State Parks Commission requested $27 million in general funding – however both the Senate and the House operating budgets fall short in their requests for the agency ($16.4 and $23.7 million, respectively).  For more about the state budget, see the recent post by volunteer Robert Dengel.

As budget negotiations begin behind closed doors for the coming weeks, the legislature needs to hear from constituents who care about keeping our State Parks open.    Contact your representatives today and ask them to support the House operating budget request of $23.7 million for State Parks.  Send an email through the Washington State Legislature website or call the legislative hotline at 1.800.562.600.  A personal message of support will take five minutes – but can mean millions to our State Parks!

Show Me the Money - State Budget Process Underway

By Robert Dengel, Outdoor Advocate Volunteer

The various legislative budgets are beginning to being submitted. There are two types of budgets: 1) operating (day to day running of an agency) and 2) capital (construction and other development/conservation projects). While none of these initial proposals are likely to be the final budget, they do however begin to show everybody’s initial starting point. To overly generalize the budget proposals, the House Democratic Majority and the Governor are looking to avoid budget cuts by closing tax loopholes and extending taxes set to expire, a move the Senate Majority Coalition (Republicans and two Democrats) are opposed to. Please note that this year the Governor has provided a list of priorities rather than an entire budget proposal. The budgets (and priority list) are an opportunity for each of the major players to show where their priorities are by how much money they provide to an area.  So where does ensuring access and protection to the great outdoors land in the budgets?

State Parks 

The Senate Operating Budget identifies only $16.4 million of general funds in their budget for State Parks, this was done in part by sweeping funds from the Waste Reduction, Recycling and Litter Control Tax. The House Operating Budget, as well as the Governor’s priorities identifies $23.7 million of General Funds for State Parks.  Anything less than $23.7 million is expected to result in the closure of some State Parks, with $27.2 million needed to begin addressing maintenance backlogs, according to the Washington State Parks Commission.  State Parks reliance on state general funds is a result of lower than expected Discover Pass sales. This problem of funding for State Parks is highlighted in a recent story in the Olympian.

On a quick note: two Discover Pass bills which are begin tracked continue to move forward in the legislative process and remain in the House chamber for consideration. SB 5097 (Spouse combined hours) SSB 5289 (Revamps multiple aspect of the Discover Pass, including bulk sales). 

Dept. of Natural Resource and Dept. Fish and Wildlife Managed Lands

Both agencies appear to have received their usual amount of funding in each Senate and House Operating Budget to support recreation on the lands they managed, including funds from the Discover Pass.  

Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) 

The House Capital Budget provides $70 million for the WWRP grant program that funds parks and conservation throughout the state, based on a scored project list. The Governor wanted $76 million for WWRP in his priority list. The Senate Capital Budget only provides $40 Million for the WWRP project and did initially adhere to the scored project list. The current version of the Senate Capital Budget as passed out of the Ways and Means Committee does adhere to the project list but does not provide funding to WWRP land acquisition grants. Learn more at Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.

The Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA)

The ALEA grants exist to protect and enhance aquatic lands, including development of waterfront parks and restoration of estuaries. The House provides $12 million in their Capital Budget, while the Senate provides only $6 million on their Capital Budget. 

More information on the the state budget process can be found in the 2013 Citizen's Guide to the Washington State Budget.  You can view detailed budget proposals at the following links:

House Operating Budget: HB 1057

House Capital Budget: HB 1089

Senate Operating Budget: SB 5034

Senate Capital Budget: SB 5035

Mt. Baker Highway 542 National Forest Service Enhancement Project is open for Your Comments

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Mt. Baker Ranger District is currently accepting public comments on a Forest Service Decision Memo for a recreation enhancement project along Mt. Baker Highway State Route 542. On this stretch of highway there is a need to improve access, enhance safety, increase resource protection and refurbish and upgrade existing facilities and dispersed recreation sites.

The purpose of this project is to improve visitor experiences by improving access to recreation sites and maintaining facilities and visitor amenities, providing additional interpretive opportunities and materials, increasing motorist and visitor safety, and providing resource protection at dispersed sites.

Background

The Mt. Baker Highway or State Route 542 (SR 542) is a state highway that runs through National Forest System (NFS) lands from the town of Glacier to the end of the road. The highway is designated a scenic highway by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and was designated a National Forest Scenic Byway in 1989. The Scenic Byway is

24 miles in length, beginning at the town of Glacier and terminating at Artist Point in the Heather Meadows Recreation Area. The Glacier Public Service Center, gateway to Mt. Baker, is a heavily used information center that serves over 60,000 visitors annually. Existing interpretive facilities, several built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), and programs along the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway enhance the quality and broaden the scope of experiences for visitors.

Proposed Action 

A brief description of the nine proposed actions to improve the visitors facilities, services and dispersed recreation sites along the highway are listed here:

A. Design and installation of map/orientation and interpretive signs at existing visitor services sites (e.g., campgrounds, picnic areas, trails) along SR 542

B. Improve visitor facilities (e.g., restrooms, signage, and refurbish interior of buildings) at

Glacier Public Service Center

C. Enhance wildlife viewing opportunities (e.g., signage, spotting scope accessibility, interpretive media development) at a variety of points including Heather Meadows

Visitor Center, Wild Goose Trail, and Artist Point

D. Reconstruct and lengthen an existing user created kayak access trail to the North Fork

Nooksack River to reduce resource impacts (e.g., sedimentation), and improve access and safety for users

E. Improve Shuksan Picnic area

F. Improve site accessibility and recreation facilities at Douglas Fir and Silver Fir campgrounds and Heather Meadows

G. Install rock and log barriers at dispersed recreation sites (e.g., Razor Hone) to prohibit vehicular access and protect natural resources while maintaining snowshoe access

H. Install pedestrian crossing safety signs at road crossings (e.g., Nooksack Nordic Ski Area,

Wild Goose Trail)

I.  Install a CXT outdoor toilet in the existing Heather Meadows Parking

Public Comment Guidelines 

If you choose to comment, please submit your written or electronic comments to Theresa Mathis by April 30, 2013. Comments can be sent by mail or hand delivered to Mt. Baker Ranger District, Attention: Debra Pal, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA, 98284. Comments may also be sent by fax to (360) 856-2632, or by email to comments-pacificnorthwest-mtbaker-snogualmiemtbaker@ fs.fcd.us. Electronic comments must be submitted with the following subject line, "Hwy 542 Enhancement Project", and as part of the actual e-mail message, or in another readable format such as plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), .pdf, or Word (.doc). In cases where no identifiable name is attached to a comment, a verification of identity will be required for appeal eligibility. If using an electronic message, a scanned signature is one way to provide verification. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

The 30-day public comment period ends April 30th. In order to be eligible to later appeal any decision made regarding the enhancement project a comment must be made during this period.
Please visit the Outdoor Advocates Calendar and use the link provided to add to your calendar.

More information on the project and the preliminary Decision Memo are available at: http://go.usa.gov/y6e