DNR-No Ahtanum, Manashtash, Rattlesnake, Lily Lake Sno-Parks or Grooming
- Thread starter Tampico
- Start date
B
BigTruck
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Not suppose to be in possession of a gun either!!!!
I do vote, and carry a gun illigally!! I find it's fun to live on the edge!
Offering up donations is very generous and I certainly will if it comes down to that.
For now, WSSA and others feel this a form of extortion and could just come back to bite us later. Certain state legislators have been contacted, were unaware and don't think much of the DNR plan. The DNR wants $25K to just "oversee" the maintainence of the snow-parks, this is not money to plow, do santi-cans, etc; just administrative costs.
If we pay it once, we'll be on the hook forever and who knows what else they'll heap on the pile later.
Hopefully, a resolution is reached before the snow flies....
I do vote, and carry a gun illigally!! I find it's fun to live on the edge!
Better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6.........
This is only one of the many reasons I got out of the state of WA. Taxes, taxes, and more taxes (fees ), or whatever else the crooks in charge call them. I lived in WA. for 54 years, and now that I have made it to Montana or good, there will be no turning back to the Horse s**t the WA. politicians dish out.
I lived 1/2 mile from the Ahtanum ranger station, and was a neighbor of Tampico's. I will miss the area, but I guess putting up with Cooke City, and the Top of the World riding areas will have to do for now.
Somebody has to do it ! Good job Tampico, keep the pressure on.
I lived 1/2 mile from the Ahtanum ranger station, and was a neighbor of Tampico's. I will miss the area, but I guess putting up with Cooke City, and the Top of the World riding areas will have to do for now.
Somebody has to do it ! Good job Tampico, keep the pressure on.
A
_AJ_
Well-known member
DNR Recreation News
September 25, 2009
Hi, folks:
In this message:
As you know, DNR’s Recreation Program had to reduce services to many of its recreation areas last July due to budget cuts. We had to drastically reduce services for summer recreation, and, as anticipated, we now face making cuts to our winter motorized recreation program.
DNR’s winter motorized recreation program is primarily funded through the General Fund. As I mentioned in a previous budget-related message, our General Fund appropriation was cut by 60 percent in the 2009 legislative session—from $1.2 million to $440,000/biennium. Our winter motorized recreation budget represents a small portion of our program’s budget— about $50,000 each year.
Typically, the $50,000 is split evenly between our Northeast and Southeast regions and pays for staff time to manage the contracts for the trail groomers and snow plow operators, as well as maintain facilities and provide a presence to the public. (You can find more detail further down in this message.)
So what’s happening to DNR’s winter recreation program this year?
Our Southeast Region ( Ahtanum State Forest and Ellensburg area) will be the most affected. Without additional funding, we can no longer support the staff time and resources to manage, groom trails, and plow roads in the region’s five snow parks: Manashtash, southwest of Ellensburg; Ahtanum Meadows, Ahtanum Guard Station, and Rattlesnake, near Yakima; and Lily Lake, near Yakima.
Low timber prices have further strained DNR’s budget, as has the closing of milling facilities in the Yakima and Ellensburg areas. As a result, DNR has had to temporarily suspend its timber sale program. This means fewer DNR staff and no timber sales to pay for the upkeep of the roads and repair the damage caused by recreational use. This is an issue for both summer and winter time use.
On the positive side, we have enough funding to support the groomed trails that intermingle with USFS trails, as well as dispersed snowmobile use, which accounts for roughly 50 percent of the winter recreation use in that area.
In our Northeast Region, we will be laying off the staff position for the winter program because the majority of the winter motorized use on that region’s DNR-managed lands is trail based, with no snow park facilities or plowed roads. Snow parks in that region are on State Parks and US Forest Service (USFS) lands. USFS personnel and users will monitor the area and work with DNR, State Parks and other users to correct any problems. This was a risk we thought we could take.
What’s DNR doing about the situation?
Our goal and hope is to work with the snowmobile community and tap into their creative minds to find a solution. I am working with leaders from the Washington State Snowmobile Association (WSSA) to kick start a campaign to raise the $25,000 to keep the Southeast Region snow parks open this year. I have personally made a donation of $250 towards raising the $25,000.
Our efforts are beginning to gain ground. I just learned that the Yakima Chapter of WSSA will be placing an ad in the Yakima Herald looking for people to save the winter recreation program in that area by donating funds.
For the short-term, we are looking for stop-gap measures to keep lands open for winter recreation until funding is restored. These measures include working with State Parks to streamline the licensing process. An agreement of this kind will provide users with some long-term assurance that if sites are closed one year, they will be available in the future.
Will DNR be supporting any winter recreation activities this year?
Yes. Even if we don’t find funding for plowing and grooming trails on lands we manage, DNR will still support:
-- Dispersed winter recreation (motorized and non-motorized).
-- Motorized trails that originate on other ownerships—(such as US Forest Service, State Parks and some private lands) and pass through DNR-managed lands.
-- Non-motorized trails and trailheads that fit within the NOVA funding criteria.
What we won’t support this year (without a new source of funding):
What does the $25,000 pay for in each region?
DNR works with contract snow plow and trail grooming operators. Each contract agreement requires a certain level of staff oversight, depending on the operator, to ensure that roads and facilities are not damaged and to repair any damage that may occur. DNR staff perform the following duties:
-- Meet with contractors and write up individual license agreements. This includes processing, recording and maintaining the permits.
-- Ensure that snow plow and grooming operators comply with the plowing standards in the license agreement.
-- Communicate throughout the year to each snowmobile association chapter that uses DNR-managed lands. Involves; discussing existing trails and facilities, responding to requests for expansion and attending statewide committee meetings, etc.
-- Monitor the roads and trails to check for damage and to work with appropriate parties to address any problems.
-- Provide an on-the-ground presence to educate users about safe and sustainable winter recreation and check on license tabs.
-- Maintain facilities, including pumping outhouses (current State Park funds do not cover all the pumping costs) at the end of the season and repairing damage.
-- Respond to information requests and complaints from users.
SUSTAINABLE RECREATION WORK GROUP PUBLIC MEETINGS
The Sustainable Recreation Work Group will be rolling out preliminary recommendations for sustaining recreation on DNR-managed lands at a series of public meetings. All meetings are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
-- September 29 — Issaquah City Hall , Eagle Room, Issaquah
-- September 30 — Central Washington University , Student Union and Recreation Center , Room 137B, Ellensburg
-- October 1 — Deer Park Library, Deer Park
-- October 5 — DNR Pacific Cascade Region Office, Castle Rock
-- October 6 — Port Angeles Library, Port Angeles
-- October 7 — Burlington Public Library, Burlington
You’ve all got a stake in the future of recreation in this state. Attending one of these meetings will give you the chance to talk to a work group member or DNR staff and also make your voice heard. And if you can’t get to one of the meetings, you can let us know your thoughts through an online survey, which will be posted on our website sometime on Monday, September 28. You’ll have until October 12 to get your comments in to us.
To access the survey, download the preliminary recommendations, and learn more about the work group, go to www.dnr.wa.gov and follow the link on the lower left-hand side of the home page to “Sustainable Recreation Work Group.”
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY—Saturday September 26
Tomorrow is National Public Lands Day (NPLD), and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR staff, and hundreds of volunteers will be getting outside to show their appreciation for Washington ’s rich heritage of public lands. People of all ages will be pulling invasive plants, repairing trails, and picking up litter. DNR and several partners have scheduled NPLD events in Western Washington at Tiger Mountain near Issaquah, Mima Mounds south of Olympia , and Yacolt Burn State Forest north of Washougal.
Learn more at: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/News/Pages/nr09_163.aspx
Mark R. Mauren
Assistant Division Manager
Recreation, Public Access and WCC Programs
Asset Management and Recreation Division
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
360-902-1047
mark.mauren@dnr.wa.gov
September 25, 2009
Hi, folks:
In this message:
- Reduced services for winter recreation.
- Reminder about upcoming public meetings to review draft recommendations from the Sustainable Recreation Work Group.
- National Public Lands Day – Saturday
As you know, DNR’s Recreation Program had to reduce services to many of its recreation areas last July due to budget cuts. We had to drastically reduce services for summer recreation, and, as anticipated, we now face making cuts to our winter motorized recreation program.
DNR’s winter motorized recreation program is primarily funded through the General Fund. As I mentioned in a previous budget-related message, our General Fund appropriation was cut by 60 percent in the 2009 legislative session—from $1.2 million to $440,000/biennium. Our winter motorized recreation budget represents a small portion of our program’s budget— about $50,000 each year.
Typically, the $50,000 is split evenly between our Northeast and Southeast regions and pays for staff time to manage the contracts for the trail groomers and snow plow operators, as well as maintain facilities and provide a presence to the public. (You can find more detail further down in this message.)
So what’s happening to DNR’s winter recreation program this year?
Our Southeast Region ( Ahtanum State Forest and Ellensburg area) will be the most affected. Without additional funding, we can no longer support the staff time and resources to manage, groom trails, and plow roads in the region’s five snow parks: Manashtash, southwest of Ellensburg; Ahtanum Meadows, Ahtanum Guard Station, and Rattlesnake, near Yakima; and Lily Lake, near Yakima.
Low timber prices have further strained DNR’s budget, as has the closing of milling facilities in the Yakima and Ellensburg areas. As a result, DNR has had to temporarily suspend its timber sale program. This means fewer DNR staff and no timber sales to pay for the upkeep of the roads and repair the damage caused by recreational use. This is an issue for both summer and winter time use.
On the positive side, we have enough funding to support the groomed trails that intermingle with USFS trails, as well as dispersed snowmobile use, which accounts for roughly 50 percent of the winter recreation use in that area.
In our Northeast Region, we will be laying off the staff position for the winter program because the majority of the winter motorized use on that region’s DNR-managed lands is trail based, with no snow park facilities or plowed roads. Snow parks in that region are on State Parks and US Forest Service (USFS) lands. USFS personnel and users will monitor the area and work with DNR, State Parks and other users to correct any problems. This was a risk we thought we could take.
What’s DNR doing about the situation?
Our goal and hope is to work with the snowmobile community and tap into their creative minds to find a solution. I am working with leaders from the Washington State Snowmobile Association (WSSA) to kick start a campaign to raise the $25,000 to keep the Southeast Region snow parks open this year. I have personally made a donation of $250 towards raising the $25,000.
Our efforts are beginning to gain ground. I just learned that the Yakima Chapter of WSSA will be placing an ad in the Yakima Herald looking for people to save the winter recreation program in that area by donating funds.
For the short-term, we are looking for stop-gap measures to keep lands open for winter recreation until funding is restored. These measures include working with State Parks to streamline the licensing process. An agreement of this kind will provide users with some long-term assurance that if sites are closed one year, they will be available in the future.
Will DNR be supporting any winter recreation activities this year?
Yes. Even if we don’t find funding for plowing and grooming trails on lands we manage, DNR will still support:
-- Dispersed winter recreation (motorized and non-motorized).
-- Motorized trails that originate on other ownerships—(such as US Forest Service, State Parks and some private lands) and pass through DNR-managed lands.
-- Non-motorized trails and trailheads that fit within the NOVA funding criteria.
What we won’t support this year (without a new source of funding):
- Snow parks on DNR-managed lands
- Snow plowing that occurs just on DNR-managed roads.
- Trail grooming, if the trail is solely on DNR-managed lands.
What does the $25,000 pay for in each region?
DNR works with contract snow plow and trail grooming operators. Each contract agreement requires a certain level of staff oversight, depending on the operator, to ensure that roads and facilities are not damaged and to repair any damage that may occur. DNR staff perform the following duties:
-- Meet with contractors and write up individual license agreements. This includes processing, recording and maintaining the permits.
-- Ensure that snow plow and grooming operators comply with the plowing standards in the license agreement.
-- Communicate throughout the year to each snowmobile association chapter that uses DNR-managed lands. Involves; discussing existing trails and facilities, responding to requests for expansion and attending statewide committee meetings, etc.
-- Monitor the roads and trails to check for damage and to work with appropriate parties to address any problems.
-- Provide an on-the-ground presence to educate users about safe and sustainable winter recreation and check on license tabs.
-- Maintain facilities, including pumping outhouses (current State Park funds do not cover all the pumping costs) at the end of the season and repairing damage.
-- Respond to information requests and complaints from users.
SUSTAINABLE RECREATION WORK GROUP PUBLIC MEETINGS
The Sustainable Recreation Work Group will be rolling out preliminary recommendations for sustaining recreation on DNR-managed lands at a series of public meetings. All meetings are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
-- September 29 — Issaquah City Hall , Eagle Room, Issaquah
-- September 30 — Central Washington University , Student Union and Recreation Center , Room 137B, Ellensburg
-- October 1 — Deer Park Library, Deer Park
-- October 5 — DNR Pacific Cascade Region Office, Castle Rock
-- October 6 — Port Angeles Library, Port Angeles
-- October 7 — Burlington Public Library, Burlington
You’ve all got a stake in the future of recreation in this state. Attending one of these meetings will give you the chance to talk to a work group member or DNR staff and also make your voice heard. And if you can’t get to one of the meetings, you can let us know your thoughts through an online survey, which will be posted on our website sometime on Monday, September 28. You’ll have until October 12 to get your comments in to us.
To access the survey, download the preliminary recommendations, and learn more about the work group, go to www.dnr.wa.gov and follow the link on the lower left-hand side of the home page to “Sustainable Recreation Work Group.”
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY—Saturday September 26
Tomorrow is National Public Lands Day (NPLD), and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR staff, and hundreds of volunteers will be getting outside to show their appreciation for Washington ’s rich heritage of public lands. People of all ages will be pulling invasive plants, repairing trails, and picking up litter. DNR and several partners have scheduled NPLD events in Western Washington at Tiger Mountain near Issaquah, Mima Mounds south of Olympia , and Yacolt Burn State Forest north of Washougal.
Learn more at: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/News/Pages/nr09_163.aspx
Mark R. Mauren
Assistant Division Manager
Recreation, Public Access and WCC Programs
Asset Management and Recreation Division
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
360-902-1047
mark.mauren@dnr.wa.gov
make it happen
we all need to step up in a big way! all the right people are working hard to save our riding areas. WE ALL NEED TO STEP UP!!! there was an article in the yakima herald this morning explaining the closure, where the money goes, who's doing what, etc. THANKSgoes out to the yakima ski benders for getting things really rolling on this one.$10,000 have been raised toward the $25,000 so far. i urge all snowmobilers to get involved. join w.s.s.a., join s.a.w.s.,join blue ribbon coalition, join your local club. get involved, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
we all need to step up in a big way! all the right people are working hard to save our riding areas. WE ALL NEED TO STEP UP!!! there was an article in the yakima herald this morning explaining the closure, where the money goes, who's doing what, etc. THANKSgoes out to the yakima ski benders for getting things really rolling on this one.$10,000 have been raised toward the $25,000 so far. i urge all snowmobilers to get involved. join w.s.s.a., join s.a.w.s.,join blue ribbon coalition, join your local club. get involved, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Article from Yak Herald Republic
Snowmobilers forced to fork over funds
September 28, 2009 by Scott Sandsberry
Email this | Leave a comment
YAKIMA, Wash. — Snowmobilers in this part of the state are reaching into their own wallets and bank accounts to help a state agency make up for a budget shortfall — not because they want to, but because the alternative would effectively shut down snowmobiling in the Ahtanum and a handful of other popular trail areas.
Department of Natural Resources representatives told trail users at a public hearing last Tuesday in West Valley the agency would have to close the five
Sno-Parks on DNR-managed land. All are in Central Washington — two in the Ahtanum and one each at Manastash (southwest of Ellensburg), Rattlesnake (off Highway 410 in the Nile) and Lily Lake, near Mission Ridge.
Mark Mauren, the DNR’s assistant recreation manager, told about 90 snowmobile enthusiasts at the meeting that budget cutbacks had left the agency without the $25,000 it would take to provide oversight at the Sno-Parks. And without oversight, the DNR could not allow the trail grooming — paid for by the Washington State Parks’ Winter Recreation Program — to continue at those DNR Sno-Parks.
The snowmobilers got angry, ranted some, and then proceeded to start raising the $25,000.
But they’re not happy about it.
“We’re afraid this is opening a bad can of worms, a bad precedent,” said Paul Younie, this area’s district representative to the Washington State Snowmobile Association. “But we feel the position of doing nothing is worse.”
“We’re going to fight it, but it’s in the works. It’s done,” said Carl Denton, president of the Yakima Ski-Benders snowmobile “We’re just a few weeks away from having snow, and if we don’t have the Sno-Parks, we’ll be parking on the road and fighting our way in to the trails and they won’t let the groomers in there. And the law enforcement will be out there giving tickets for people parking the wrong way, and it’ll be just a mess out there.”
The Ski-Benders club will host another meeting for interested snowmobile enthusiasts to get some answers from DNR personnel next Tuesday (Oct. 6) at 6 p.m. at the El Rincon restaurant in Yakima (3702 Fruitvale Blvd.).
Mauren said because DNR’s recreation budget was slashed during the 2009 legislative session from $1.2 million per biennium to $440,000, the agency couldn’t justify the same staff time in its winter recreation program — including the seasonal employee who for the past two winters has overseen the Sno-Parks.
“I didn’t want to spend as we would normally spend and then six months later see that we really have problems now, and then have to make some really draconian cuts,” Mauren said.
The agency got nowhere with a financial appeal to the Snowmobile Advisory Committee last summer, and three weeks ago found out they had not been approved on their application for a federal grant that would have covered the winter-recreation shortfall.
That made the Sno-Parks expendable, at least in the short-term.
“The agency is not in the business of closing down opportunities,” Mauren said. “Unfortunately, we’re going to have to live within our budget.”
All five Sno-Parks get lots of snowmobile use, though the two Sno-Parks in the Ahtanum (Ahtanum Meadows and the Ahtanum guard station) are particularly popular, with an estimated 28,000 snowmobile visits last winter.
Why the $25,000 figure? Mauren broke it down as roughly $14,000 for the seasonal employee to provide a presence at the Sno-Parks; $4,000 to cover a proportional part of the salary of Southeast Region’s Ellensburg-based recreation manager, Mike Williams; and the rest basically divided between travel costs, site vandalism repairs and the cost of pumping out the DNR’s vault toilets at campgrounds used by snowmobilers.
Those toilets used to be locked for the winter, but the locks and doors were broken so often the DNR elected to leave them unlocked to minimize the damages caused by break-ins. During last year’s two-week extended grooming season, Williams said, the Ahtanum sites incurred about $5,000 in vandalism expenses, including the cost of five picnic tables that were chopped up and used as firewood at the Ahtanum campground.
Mauren made it clear in last Tuesday’s meeting that should somebody come up with the $25,000 — say, through a fundraising campaign — the DNR would keep the Sno-Parks operational and the trail grooming could go on as before. Mauren then offered to contribute the first $250, and wrote out a check on the spot.
“(Mauren) put a good face on it,” said Denton, the Ski-Benders president, adding that while he appreciated the gesture, he wasn’t at all pleased with the snowmobile community having to make up for the DNR’s budget shortfall.
“It’s terrible, but we’re going to be proactive as heck. We’re not going to be cut off at the knees on this deal.”
As of Monday, Denton said, about $10,000 had already been raised.
Snowmobilers forced to fork over funds
September 28, 2009 by Scott Sandsberry
Email this | Leave a comment
YAKIMA, Wash. — Snowmobilers in this part of the state are reaching into their own wallets and bank accounts to help a state agency make up for a budget shortfall — not because they want to, but because the alternative would effectively shut down snowmobiling in the Ahtanum and a handful of other popular trail areas.
Department of Natural Resources representatives told trail users at a public hearing last Tuesday in West Valley the agency would have to close the five
Sno-Parks on DNR-managed land. All are in Central Washington — two in the Ahtanum and one each at Manastash (southwest of Ellensburg), Rattlesnake (off Highway 410 in the Nile) and Lily Lake, near Mission Ridge.
Mark Mauren, the DNR’s assistant recreation manager, told about 90 snowmobile enthusiasts at the meeting that budget cutbacks had left the agency without the $25,000 it would take to provide oversight at the Sno-Parks. And without oversight, the DNR could not allow the trail grooming — paid for by the Washington State Parks’ Winter Recreation Program — to continue at those DNR Sno-Parks.
The snowmobilers got angry, ranted some, and then proceeded to start raising the $25,000.
But they’re not happy about it.
“We’re afraid this is opening a bad can of worms, a bad precedent,” said Paul Younie, this area’s district representative to the Washington State Snowmobile Association. “But we feel the position of doing nothing is worse.”
“We’re going to fight it, but it’s in the works. It’s done,” said Carl Denton, president of the Yakima Ski-Benders snowmobile “We’re just a few weeks away from having snow, and if we don’t have the Sno-Parks, we’ll be parking on the road and fighting our way in to the trails and they won’t let the groomers in there. And the law enforcement will be out there giving tickets for people parking the wrong way, and it’ll be just a mess out there.”
The Ski-Benders club will host another meeting for interested snowmobile enthusiasts to get some answers from DNR personnel next Tuesday (Oct. 6) at 6 p.m. at the El Rincon restaurant in Yakima (3702 Fruitvale Blvd.).
Mauren said because DNR’s recreation budget was slashed during the 2009 legislative session from $1.2 million per biennium to $440,000, the agency couldn’t justify the same staff time in its winter recreation program — including the seasonal employee who for the past two winters has overseen the Sno-Parks.
“I didn’t want to spend as we would normally spend and then six months later see that we really have problems now, and then have to make some really draconian cuts,” Mauren said.
The agency got nowhere with a financial appeal to the Snowmobile Advisory Committee last summer, and three weeks ago found out they had not been approved on their application for a federal grant that would have covered the winter-recreation shortfall.
That made the Sno-Parks expendable, at least in the short-term.
“The agency is not in the business of closing down opportunities,” Mauren said. “Unfortunately, we’re going to have to live within our budget.”
All five Sno-Parks get lots of snowmobile use, though the two Sno-Parks in the Ahtanum (Ahtanum Meadows and the Ahtanum guard station) are particularly popular, with an estimated 28,000 snowmobile visits last winter.
Why the $25,000 figure? Mauren broke it down as roughly $14,000 for the seasonal employee to provide a presence at the Sno-Parks; $4,000 to cover a proportional part of the salary of Southeast Region’s Ellensburg-based recreation manager, Mike Williams; and the rest basically divided between travel costs, site vandalism repairs and the cost of pumping out the DNR’s vault toilets at campgrounds used by snowmobilers.
Those toilets used to be locked for the winter, but the locks and doors were broken so often the DNR elected to leave them unlocked to minimize the damages caused by break-ins. During last year’s two-week extended grooming season, Williams said, the Ahtanum sites incurred about $5,000 in vandalism expenses, including the cost of five picnic tables that were chopped up and used as firewood at the Ahtanum campground.
Mauren made it clear in last Tuesday’s meeting that should somebody come up with the $25,000 — say, through a fundraising campaign — the DNR would keep the Sno-Parks operational and the trail grooming could go on as before. Mauren then offered to contribute the first $250, and wrote out a check on the spot.
“(Mauren) put a good face on it,” said Denton, the Ski-Benders president, adding that while he appreciated the gesture, he wasn’t at all pleased with the snowmobile community having to make up for the DNR’s budget shortfall.
“It’s terrible, but we’re going to be proactive as heck. We’re not going to be cut off at the knees on this deal.”
As of Monday, Denton said, about $10,000 had already been raised.
funds
Unfortunately we are far from the 10K Scott quoted. Also one other part of the article I don't recall anything about, is who used the picnic tables at Ahtanum Meadows for fire wood?
Unfortunately we are far from the 10K Scott quoted. Also one other part of the article I don't recall anything about, is who used the picnic tables at Ahtanum Meadows for fire wood?
YSBenders would like to thank everyone for there support given during these trying times, especially VanAmburg Ent. for helping to get the ball rolling and Apple Country Snowmobile Club in Cashemere for there pledge and support, and all the many donors who have contibuted thus far. There are so many people working hard to insure we have access to the areas we all "including people from all sides of the state", enjoy riding. Although we understand that everyone does not agree with what we are doing, I don't personally believe that doing nothing is better than doing something. We have attended several meetings in the last few weeks with DNR and working closely with them on a solution to prevent us from being in this situation again. We do not believe that DNR has a hidden agenda. Fortunately for us we have the oppurtunity to work with them at this point to keep the gates open to continue with this years activity and not lose any grooming funds. We the board of YSB believe that being proactive during this time will be well worth it for our future to come.
I also believe that by going forward with our efforts this wil help the local economy rather than slow it down. Many restaurants, ATV/ Snomobile dealers and repair shops count on us this time of year for these activities.
Again, we apprciate everyones support.
I also believe that by going forward with our efforts this wil help the local economy rather than slow it down. Many restaurants, ATV/ Snomobile dealers and repair shops count on us this time of year for these activities.
Again, we apprciate everyones support.
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S
skidooklimer
Member
Kind of a little off the subject but why do I always see 3 or 4 brand new DNR F-450's driving around in the mountains,usually together,with just one person in the truck?Kind of seems like a waste of funds to me..but hey, I am just a dumb taxpayer.
what i would like to know is who decided where to cut the funding? and why this area got whacked?
Just a reminder that there is a Ski-Benders Snowmobiling Club meeting tonight at the El Rincon @ 7:00pm, I am sure there will be plenty of discussion concerning the DNR issue for all the areas effected. I will be giving my own $ to the cause this evening, as well as other club members. There will also be other items on the agenda concerning the sport we all crave. I will post with-in a couple of days how much we have raised so far. A big thanks goes out to those that have already participated.
Frankly, I see a lot of people on the fence waiting for a solution from state government. I don't feel there will be one for this riding year, next year is a different story. My concern is that once most people realize this is real, we will be to late to re-schedule the groomer for the Ahtanum area.
Another quote I've heard is "Aww, shucks, we didn't have grooming 20 years ago". True, we didn't. BUT, our sports popularity has increased our numbers (along with our sports stability). What about downed trees? Decent parking for everybody (well, most of the time, at least)? Simply put, the dis-continuation of the DNR lands grooming and plowing will drastically alter winter use of these areas. Any questions, give me a call at 509-945-1741, I'll give you the best information that I have available.
As for good news, I had about a 1/2 inch of snow
last Saturday morning just below the Ahtanum sno-parks. Earliest snowfall in recent memory, coming off of the latest snow fall last spring (May 12) in recent memory. Must be Bush's fault!
Hope to see you this evening,
Tampico
Frankly, I see a lot of people on the fence waiting for a solution from state government. I don't feel there will be one for this riding year, next year is a different story. My concern is that once most people realize this is real, we will be to late to re-schedule the groomer for the Ahtanum area.
Another quote I've heard is "Aww, shucks, we didn't have grooming 20 years ago". True, we didn't. BUT, our sports popularity has increased our numbers (along with our sports stability). What about downed trees? Decent parking for everybody (well, most of the time, at least)? Simply put, the dis-continuation of the DNR lands grooming and plowing will drastically alter winter use of these areas. Any questions, give me a call at 509-945-1741, I'll give you the best information that I have available.
As for good news, I had about a 1/2 inch of snow
last Saturday morning just below the Ahtanum sno-parks. Earliest snowfall in recent memory, coming off of the latest snow fall last spring (May 12) in recent memory. Must be Bush's fault!Hope to see you this evening,
Tampico
im with winter brew
just quit paying ive got 4 machines and for the last 2 years am hardly ever able to get to south side of helens.marble and cougar parks they say they lost funding but everything up north sure gets taken care of.ours was out of money in dec and they were taking awesome care of rimrock area on the new years holiday, and for much longer. my new machine has tabs fvck the rest ive been saying this for years now its time to do it....
just quit paying ive got 4 machines and for the last 2 years am hardly ever able to get to south side of helens.marble and cougar parks they say they lost funding but everything up north sure gets taken care of.ours was out of money in dec and they were taking awesome care of rimrock area on the new years holiday, and for much longer. my new machine has tabs fvck the rest ive been saying this for years now its time to do it....
collections at the snow show
Has anyone started an effort to get collections at the snow show?
I'm thinking we could a big dent in that 25k with some prizes to raffle off?
Has anyone started an effort to get collections at the snow show?
I'm thinking we could a big dent in that 25k with some prizes to raffle off?
we all feel the same pain your feeling, but as stated last night at the meeting tab money pays for grooming. this is different than the money dnr recieves. d.n.r. is allocated money to oversee the grooming and plowing. this money comes from state funds that our legislators have cut. the real answer is to get involved in our sport and contact state legislators about the problems we are having. and don't vote the same jackalopes into office, this starts at the top with our governor who is doing nothing for us. GET INVOLVED, JOIN W.S.S.A., LET OUR VOICE BE HEARD!!
i think everyone is correct there are a few things that concern me, obviously the the state giveth and the state taketh away, since they have taken away, we are not likely to get it back, the state is cutting back in leaps and bounds, there were around 15 to 20 folks let go from this region in April or may, and another 11 in September, of those 11 that position happened to be one of them, he or those 11 had no control over there jobs, most of those folks had at least 20 or more years in the DNR, and the cuts will just keep happening until this region starts selling timber again if they ever do. with that said if we bail them out the state will we continue to pay more and more to ride? One huge concern to me is washington state needs to start making out of state folks buy annual tabs just like when we go out of state. the other idea i had is just like the Forest service does is have a forest use permit, this would account for anyone that uses the land anyone from mushroom pickers, to jeepers, to snowmobilers, to just a Sunday drive, and quads, get rid of the snow park permit all together and use this pass instead. this money could be used for summer and winter road maintenance and the position to oversee these programs. why doesnt ATV riders have to have a parking permit they use the same parking lots in the summer? I think what Brian said last night is very true we need to be proactive, whats done is done let do what we need to for this year and hit it hard for next year.With the economy the way it is there are only a hand full of folks that can really afford to even ride let alone pay out more to the state. but Mike is correct it will become a pay to play if we don't cut the state off at the knees and have some ideas for revenue for them, the folks that sit in the ivory office have no idea where the rubber hits the road all they are doing is looking at numbers. well enough of my soap box keep up the good work to everyone.
