HB 2151 Would Require WDFW, DNR and State Parks to Manage Trails on their Lands

[Elkaholic daWg]

The bill is an attempt to reduce the 110k per mile that DNR is charging to build motorcycle trails. The bill will be clarified so that Parks and DFW are not included.

The major proponent of the bill is the ORV community that has been working with DNR on trails access.

Im in recreation management.  This bill should alleviate agencies from the rediculous red tape involved in building a trail.  In my experience it costs almost as much to plan, design, and permit a trail construction project as it does to just build the stupid thing.  Agencies shouldn't have to spend two years planning a summer project that boyscouts could build.  At first glance I like the bill.  But I'll need to read more about it.

Its simple, forest trails should not be built to urban standards.

 

These posts are making me look at it from a different perspective, since are even more ruthless than anti hunters, not caring what it costs to TRY to get their way and they love lawyers, wolves and bunnies also. I'll keep and open mind.

[steen]

I didn't read it all....but if you are going to use a trail help maintain it!  All the trails we use (riding horse) we maintain  along with the Back Country Horseman.  We usually build them and they (BCH) maintain them.  We bring hand saws and others pack chainsaws on their mules and maintain the trails ourselves.  Don't wait for others to do it for u!  Just sayin.

[japerry]

Just remember, building trails and any other maintenance except for emergencies is a gross misdemeanor.

This bill won't change that, but at least will force DNR to look at incorporating user-built trails into recreation areas.

[bearpaw]

The bill is an attempt to reduce the 110k per mile that DNR is charging to build motorcycle trails. The bill will be clarified so that Parks and DFW are not included.

The major proponent of the bill is the ORV community that has been working with DNR on trails access.

Im in recreation management.  This bill should alleviate agencies from the rediculous red tape involved in building a trail.  In my experience it costs almost as much to plan, design, and permit a trail construction project as it does to just build the stupid thing.  Agencies shouldn't have to spend two years planning a summer project that boyscouts could build.  At first glance I like the bill.  But I'll need to read more about it.

Its simple, forest trails should not be built to urban standards.

 

These posts are making me look at it from a different perspective, since are even more ruthless than anti hunters, not caring what it costs to TRY to get their way and they love lawyers, wolves and bunnies also. I'll keep and open mind.

I agree this puts the bill in a different light for me, I think I would support this bill.

[Elkaholic daWg]

Just remember, building trails and any other maintenance except for emergencies is a gross misdemeanor.

This bill won't change that, but at least will force DNR to look at incorporating user-built trails into recreation areas.

 Really? Up where we hunt the upper Colockum there is an established camp that has been building and maintaining trails since about 1963,and doing a good job of it.  I don't see any crime....

[Curly]

I don't like this bill at first glance, partly because of the other crap bill's I've seen this Brian Blake guy propose.  I guess I'm guilty of just seeing his name and automatically having a more closed mind and opinion about one of his proposals.  I'll have to give it some closer thought, but I don't like it right now.

[japerry]

Really? Up where we hunt the upper Colockum there is an established camp that has been building and maintaining trails since about 1963,and doing a good job of it.  I don't see any crime....

WAC 332-52-405:

Construction and maintenance of trails and structures.
(1) May a person construct, modify, repair or maintain a new or existing recreation trail, structure, or other facility or improvement or cause such activities to occur on department-managed lands? No. With the exceptions noted in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a person shall not construct, modify, repair or maintain a recreation trail, structure, or other facility or improvement, or cause such activities to occur on department-managed lands, without written authorization from the department.
(2) May a person perform routine maintenance of recreational trails or facilities on department-managed lands? Yes. With an approved department of natural resources volunteer agreement, individuals may conduct routine maintenance of recreational trails or facilities.
(3) May a person perform emergency maintenance of recreational trails without written authorization from the department? Yes. A person may perform emergency maintenance on recreational trails. Emergency maintenance for purposes of this subsection means the reasonable mitigation of immediate safety hazards, and brushing, weeding, windfall removal, clearing drain ditches or culverts, or tread repair to prevent immediate resource damage.
(4) Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW except violation of subsection (1) of this section is a misdemeanor.

But come to think of it, this might not be applicable to WDFW land.

Also, a sub was released just before the hearing. It gets rid of Parks and WDFW, and while Blake is the prime sponsor, it was written by ORV people and has tentative blessings from non-motorized groups as well.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/CMD/Handler.ashx?MethodName=getdocumentcontent&documentId=CE3mpaM8Pv8&att=false

[bigtex]

Really? Up where we hunt the upper Colockum there is an established camp that has been building and maintaining trails since about 1963,and doing a good job of it.  I don't see any crime....

WAC 332-52-405:

Construction and maintenance of trails and structures.
(1) May a person construct, modify, repair or maintain a new or existing recreation trail, structure, or other facility or improvement or cause such activities to occur on department-managed lands? No. With the exceptions noted in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a person shall not construct, modify, repair or maintain a recreation trail, structure, or other facility or improvement, or cause such activities to occur on department-managed lands, without written authorization from the department.
(2) May a person perform routine maintenance of recreational trails or facilities on department-managed lands? Yes. With an approved department of natural resources volunteer agreement, individuals may conduct routine maintenance of recreational trails or facilities.
(3) May a person perform emergency maintenance of recreational trails without written authorization from the department? Yes. A person may perform emergency maintenance on recreational trails. Emergency maintenance for purposes of this subsection means the reasonable mitigation of immediate safety hazards, and brushing, weeding, windfall removal, clearing drain ditches or culverts, or tread repair to prevent immediate resource damage.
(4) Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW except violation of subsection (1) of this section is a misdemeanor.

But come to think of it, this might not be applicable to WDFW land.

WAC 332 doesn't apply to WDFW land

[japerry]

yah, exactly. wow I didn't realize it was ok to build trails on WDFW land. heh. Good thing they were taken out of the bill.

[Elkaholic daWg]

Just remember, building trails and any other maintenance except for emergencies is a gross misdemeanor.

This bill won't change that, but at least will force DNR to look at incorporating user-built trails into recreation areas.

 Really? Up where we hunt the upper Colockum there is an established camp that has been building and maintaining trails since about 1963,and doing a good job of it.  I don't see any crime....

 But I would bet this was Game Department land that has been traded  throughout the years with DNR in the 328.  Maybe not