DNR / Ahtanum Status 2010-2011

[94fordguy]

Mission Accomplished!

I am not sure I can recall all the details, but the funding gap for this year's DNR oversight has been filled by donations from 62 people/businesses.... The snowpark will remain open for the remainder of the year.

I'd like to take a moment to thank Devin, Mike, and the rest of the Yakima Ski Benders especially for all the effort they have put in to help ensure that Yakima's largest snow-park remains open this year. Great Job Guys!!!!!!!!!


Whether or not you ride from the Tampico or other DNR Snow-parks, ALL OF US have benefited from the hard work and donations to keep those areas open.... The remaining Snow Parks around the Yakima area simply would not be able to cope with the added traffic they would be seeing from the loss of that snow-park... WE ALL benefited from the hard work on this one.

THANK YOU!

 

[Snodawg]

Thanks for the info, Seth. Thank You to everyone that worked on this project and to all of those that donated.

I still feel that we need to find a way to let the people know that use this snopark. Something like a large sign located at the snopark. I'm sure we could get some kind of permit or something to install a sign (for winter use only). But then again with all the snow that we have, the only people that would see the sign would be the people that put it up. LOL

 

[Tampico]

TIME FOR ACTION!!! LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT NEEDED!!!

The time has come for action on the legislative front concerning our public lands, namely the SE Washington DNR/Ahtanum areas.

Last night (03/01/11) at their monthly meeting, the Yakima Ski-Benders voted (by a majority) to support SB5622 and HB1796, known as the 3 agency "Discover Pass". We are asking for people to sign a petition of support - the petitions are located at VanAmburg Enterprises located on 2920 River Road in North Yakima. We will take the petitions of support to our local 14th and 15th district legislators prior to the legislation coming up to a vote.

These bills are intended to fully fund the all season recreation programs on our states DNR, DFW and State Parks lands. From a snowmobilers point of view, this will impose a $30.00 fee on street licensed vehicles that exclude snowmobiles, ORV's, ATV's, Quads and other off-road vehicles. This would include the tow vehicle. The bills also states that the funds raised go for recreation or its associated maintenance and can not be swept into the general fund (like the NOVA was recently). The cost is cheaper if you also have a fishing or hunting license, or do volunteer hours on state lands. You do not have to purchase the "pass" if you do not use the above mentioned state lands or state parks.

Now, for some perspective on the above paragraph: The Yakima Ski-Benders have raised funds the last 2 years to keep the Ahtanum (and other minor areas) open. We have done so with great support from the members of this forum and their contributions (it must be fairly pointed out that a minority % of the Ahtanum users actually donate). However, this action has taken a great deal of volunteer time on behalf of the Ski-Bender membership. We feel that we would not be able to fulfill that requirement for another year; ie from my point of view we would not fund raise for next year. We simply don't have the time.

The Ahtanum is truly a great area compared to other areas of the state. Once we lose the ability to have DNR access, we also would potentially lose the plowing and grooming funds to other areas. Once it is lost, it is near impossible to get back, in my opinion.

I realize that for some people with multiple tows, motorhomes and jeeps (myself included), that this will increase the costs to do the sport we love. Regardless of your political views, NOTHING IS FREE ANYMORE!! If we don't financially and politically support our sport and the public lands we use, the enviro's will step up and take our motorized uses from us. Another point that is commonly brought up is the "I already pay enough taxes and it is our land"; not an invalid point. Here is the reality - The DNR holds the land in trust, they can gate if off if they do not have the funds for maintenance. Also, our state is in fairly cruddy financial shape (not due to us or our local reps) - BUT, in the big picture we will not get general funds over an out of work family, local teacher or a cute 6 year kid in the lobbying process. Just ain't gonna happen!

From my perspective, the cost for the "Discover" pass with my vehicles is a small price to pay for my enjoyment of the great outdoors in all the seasons. The Ski-Benders, WSSA, myself and others have spent a lot of time on the phones, computers and meetings trying to come up with the most logical, beneficial and cost effective solution to this problem. I simply feel that this is the best option for our long term winter recreational use.

The petitions are written with a fairly extensive header on each page stating the exclusions noted above (paragraph #3). Please sign on your support to the petitions at VanAmburgs! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me and I will get the best answer I can for you. If you want, I can email you a petition sheet if you so desire for easier distribution, or you have a group that supports this cause.



Thank you,


Tampico
aka Devin Dekker
Yakima Ski-Benders

 

[carld123]

WDFW Pass

Devin
Again thanks for all the hard work you have done on this. One question that possibly you could answer and clarify for all. If this pass does not clear the legislative process and DNR decides to shut the gates at Ahtanum will it affect "close the DNR rec areas" all seasons of the year and not just winter recreation?

 

[Tampico]

Carld123,

The DNR will be possible be down to 1 rec. person for the entire SE region if the legislation does not pass. The current local summer "crew" simply will not exist. It is logical for the DNR, to save on liability and maintenance, to simply gate the roads off. By our donations the last 2 years, we headed this off as far as the winter recreation was concerned.

The DNR does not have to allow all access. The main reason for DNR lands is a trust of future revenue for the state, not for our personal recreational use; that is simply a side effect (and a great one, especially the last couple of weeks). If there are no funds toward recreation, why would they open it to such? If the 'bilers have to put forth funds, why is it not equal amongst user groups? I am not for closing any public lands - and I realize that nothing is for free anymore. In my opinion, the fee (small, relative to the cost of our sport) we may have to pay is a small price for the outdoors we have here near Yakima.

Tampico

 

[Tampico]

I am sending the first batch of names on the petition supporting SB5622 and HB1796 tomorrow morning. I plan on getting more this Sunday morning in the Ahtanum main sno-park. If you can get to VanAmburgs, Valley Marine, Premier Powersports or Owens before tomorrow morning (03/10/11) please do so I can get this first batch off.

A big thanks to our local snowmobile businesses for helping this cause! They have been great supporters the last 2 seasons, and this couldn't have happened with out them!

On the legislative front, both bills did not make it out of committee. However, they are considered part of the budget. We thus are fairly confident that they will be brought back up during the budget process, especially since they provide a revenue stream for thier objectives.

Remember, this will be fairly long process; we must keep the faith and keep pushing towards our objectives.

Thank you,

Tampico

 

[Tampico]

I sent in 74 signatures last week to our local legislators. I will be collecting signatures again tomorrow morning (Sunday, 03/13/2011) for another round next week. If you haven't signed on yet, please catch me near the Ski-Benders trailers if I can't get to you.

Thanks,

Tampico

 

[Tampico]

123 signatures now in to all legislators in the 13th, 14th and 15th district. I have also sent numerous emails. Rep. Charles Ross has been personally in contact, a big thank you to him. He is very aware of what is going on with the DNR funding situation. IF you have not signed up yet, go to the 3 dealers in Yakima or VanAmburg; they have the petition forms. I hope to send the last batch in late next week.

A big thanks to all who signed last Sunday at the main snowpark. I feel I had at least 85-90% sign up. The more we get, the better off we are!

Thanks,

Tampico

 

[94fordguy]

I finally got down to Owen's Cycle and made sure to sign my name on this petition while I was there, glad to see I wasn't too late.

 

[Tampico]

I hope to send another batch in by early next week (it appears now). Sen. King has signed on as long the the fee is optional (which is what we have intended all along).

Tampico

 

[Tampico]

TIME FOR ACTION!!!

Please call your local legislator and ask him to support the senate version of the Discover Pass 2SSB 5622 over the house version (SHB 1796). We hope to get this done over the next couple of days. There has been a lot of work done by WSSA and others to get a solution to the funding problem.

The Yakima Ski-Benders and local donors have been mention in hearings and on the floor at least twice - WE HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

Please contact them as soon as possible to build up local support for this legislation.

Thank you,

Tampico

 

[Tampico]

Update - The "Discover Pass" has been approved, and is now law. The system should start to be implemented by mid July.

For snowmobilers, a valid sno-park permit holder would not need the Discover Pass as long as the sno-park permit is valid. Basically, only street legal vehicles would need the Discover Pass. ORV's and snowmobiles would be exempt. Riding before or after the sno-park permit is valid would require a Discover Pass. There is still some minor confusion in the language about how this would work on the DNR lands due to a section in the bill concerning winter recreation being "self sustaining"; hopefully this is a minor detail. The agencies involved are aware of our work and petition drive, and are looking for a solution. I am confident that this will be resolved.

Thank you letters for the petition drive are in the mail! They went out to everybody who gave $20.00 and above.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

Tampico

 

[94fordguy]

Good deal... glad to know the solution to the fundraising is up and going.

Do you have any info on where they will be selling the pass's and how much they might cost for those using DNR lands other than November-April?

 

[Tampico]

Passes will cost $30.00. The passes should be sold either online or at places where licenses are sold (such as Cascade in Union Gap). They will also be available when you do your yearly license update for each vehicle.

Tampico

 

[Tampico]

SKI-BENDER AHTANUM CLEANUP- JULY 9-10

UPDATED INFO. FOR THIS WEEKEND:

THE WEATHER WILL BE COOL WITH TEMPS IN THE UPPER 60’S TO MID 70’S AT THE SNO-PARK LEVEL. IT WILL BE EVEN COOLER UP HIGH (MID 50’S FOR THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS), PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY – THIS IS COOLER THAN WHAT WE NORMALLY ARE USED TO FOR THIS ACTIVITY. NO RAIN IS EXPECTED, SHOULD BE GREAT WEATHER THIS WEEKEND.

THE MOSQUITOS ARE THICK THIS YEAR- MAKE SURE YOU BRING ENOUGH BUG REPELLENT (repeat, bug repellent, not spouse repellent).

YAKIMA SKI-BENDERS ANNUAL
AHTANUM CLEANUP
FRIDAY NIGHT (JULY 8TH) TO SUNDAY (JULY 10TH)​

AHTANUM SNO-PARK (THE “OLD” ONE, BUT THE NEW ONE IS PRETTY AWESOME!)

HERE ARE THE DETAILS:

A DISCOVER PASS WILL BE NEEDED FOR ALL NON-WORKING VEHICLES, IF MORE THAN ONE NON-WORKING VEHICLE IS BROUGHT UP. YOU WILL GET A TEMPORARY WINDOW HANGER FOR A VEHILCLE THAT IS ACTIVELY CLEANING UP OR PART OF THE SUPPORT GROUP IN THE PARKING LOT. As an example, a tow rig with a jeep is probably ok for this weekend only.
THE DNR IS CURRENTLY IN EDUCATION MODE, SO I FEEL WE WILL BE FAIRLY SAFE WITH OUR GROUP OF WORKERS FOR THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND.
AS A SIDE NOTE, YOU WILL NEED A DISCOVER PASS FOR ANY RECREATION NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLEANUP.


FRIDAY NIGHT WILL BE EARLY SETUP FOR THE CAMPSPOT HOLDERS; WE WILL MEET AT 9:00AM SATURDAY MORNING FOR THE GIVING OUT OF GARBAGE BAGS, DNR EQUIPMENT, AND ROUTE INFORMATION.
DUE TO LOGGING AND THE GREY ROCK RUN TRAFFFIC ON THE MIDDLE FORK, WE WILL PROBABLY DO OTHER ROUTES THIS YEAR (SEDGE, JACKASS, NORTH FORK) TO AVOID TRAFFIC.

WE WILL NEED AN RSVP TO ENSURE ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF BEEF-INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP (and other minor not as tasty food items). I AM EXTREMELY BUSY IN HARVEST, PLEASE EMAIL ME IF POSSIBLE, OR CALL ME AT 945-1741 IF YOU MUST (LEAVE A MESSAGE). PLEASE CALL THOSE WHOM MAY NOT BE EMAIL AWARE OR BUSY WITH OTHER THINGS.

I WILL UPDATE THE SKI-BENDER NATION SATURDAY NIGHT ON THE CURRENT DISCOVER PASS SITUATION FOR WINTER RECREATION, THE VOTES ON THE REMAINING AHTANUM FUNDS, OPTIONS FOR THE REMAINING FUNDS, AND THE OPTION OF A SKI-BENDER BOOTH AT WSSA THIS YEAR.

ANY QUESTIONS, EMAIL DEVIN @ devin@greenacrefarms.com or 945-1741.

See you all this weekend!

 

[94fordguy]

So now that the Discover pass has been in effect for a few months, most folks should be aware of needing one outside of the designated "snow park season".

I'm gonna remove the sticky status and lay this thread to rest. Any pertinent info that folks want to post up however, feel free