Sierra Club trying to shutdown Reiter area in Washington State.

[OldSven]

I will have to say from living up here for awhile now that there aren't that many places to wheel up here, besides logging roads and what not. In the last few years a lot of area's have been shut down and Reiter should be kept open for 4wheeling and camping but I can see where it needs to be kept up a little better. Clubs like NWwheelers due have a big park in keeping it clean but I would like some of my tax dollars used towards making it a place like Moab or the Rubicon where the state does their part to take care of it too.

 

[paulj]

PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT ON REITER FOOTHILLS FOREST PLAN
October 22, 2009

http://www.skyvalleychronicle.com/F...ETING-TONIGHT-ON-REITER-FOOTHILLS-FOREST-PLAN

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091022/NEWS01/710229872/-1/RSS02

 

[adrenaline503]

Putting emotions aside for a moment I think the debate is simple. The DNR or any Federal Agency for that matter is charged with controlling access to areas and ensuring that those areas meet applicable environmental standards. This goes for any land use; logging, grazing, ORV etc. If those environmental standards are not being met (ie. Sediment levels) then it the responsibility of those federal entities to rectify the problem. If the problem is people driving trucks through steams or creeks and increasing the sediment levels to unacceptable standards then the solution is stop the trucks from driving through the creeks. I don’t know the details but it seems to me that a mutually beneficial solution could be reached. With budget shortfalls I don't see DNR or another agency throwing a lot of money or time towards these issues that are simply solved by closures. I honestly believe that they have larger issues at hand and that situation is isn’t going to change any time soon. In my opinion those of us who drive our vehicles off road are a minority. A VAST minority. I also believe the minority "rights" should be protected. But, it isn't a right to drive off road if doing so is violating environmental standards. To me, it's that simple. If water crossings are the issue the ORV community needs to find a solution along with the responsible government agencies. Once the violation is rectified the right to drive there returns. Threading Lightly is our responsibility.

 

[paulj]

There was a recent article in the Seattle paper about Tribes arguing with the state DOT over the replacement of culverts. Years ago they successfully argued in the courts that treaties gave them 'perpetual' fishing rights. Now they are claiming that many culverts block fish migration, mainly by concentrating the flow. WSDOT has some images on their Flicker gallery of culverts that they have replaced, but the Tribes are arguing that, at the current rate, it would take 50+ years to address all the problem sites. And that doesn't even touch on non-state roads.

WSDOT page on fish passages
http://wsdot.wa.gov/Environment/Biology/FP/fishpassagefacts.htm

 

[adrenaline503]

There was a recent article in the Seattle paper about Tribes arguing with the state DOT over the replacement of culverts. Years ago they successfully argued in the courts that treaties gave them 'perpetual' fishing rights. Now they are claiming that many culverts block fish migration, mainly by concentrating the flow. WSDOT has some images on their Flicker gallery of culverts that they have replaced, but the Tribes are arguing that, at the current rate, it would take 50+ years to address all the problem sites. And that doesn't even touch on non-state roads.

My sister worked for AmeriCorps doing salmon studies in Washington and mentioned the culvert problem. There are SO many man made blockages to salmon migration its insane, I can't imagine ever fixing them all. But, I guess you have to try. I never considered the Tribal involvement; hopefully a amicable solution can be reached. Maybe the ORV community could help by hauling supplies in. Then everyone wins!

 

[paulj]

Here is the latest Reiter foothills planning document from the DNR

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/...reation_plan_public_review_draft_11_10_09.pdf

 

[Mike S]

The Skykomish is a NW treasure and anything that threatens it will be targeted.

From what I have seen in other areas, the damage from ORVs can be significant. It would be a benefit to all if there was a training program that was advised (required?) before use in sensitive areas was allowed. Otherwise, the ORV driver WILL lose access to these areas.

 

[paulj]

From a Everett WA newspaper
County interested in taking control of Reiter Foothills
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100226/NEWS01/702269852/-1/rss02
Apparently the state is considering giving this land away, and the county executive has expressed interest. So it could become a county park.

 

[Corey]

Been there once, back in July of 2006.
I was there for the FJ Cruiser Trail Teams event where they let you drive the FJs.

My FJ showed up the following weekend at the dealer.

It is a nice area up there.
Bummer they have to mess with it.