dnr land access

[kholmes007]

Not that I would advocate necessarily supporting these companies but doesn't Hancock offer a daily use pass for the Snoq. Tree farm?  It's better to dole out just a few bucks than a bunch more if you only want to go one or two days maybe?

[bowbuild]

Tons of state land that is landlocked behind private timber company land. The only way for the public to get access is for the DNR to get easements across the private land, and that's not going to happen because the state doesn't have enough money to pay what the timber companies would want. And, it's not really a priority for the DNR. They have easements across all that private ground for their own use, the easements just aren't for the general  public to use. And that's the way the timber companies like it.

Does that mean all state vehicles (other than law enforcement) need a permit as well?? If not... where is a RCW that grants the state free access (we are the state) and private residents to pay?

[bobcat]

No, of course DNR vehicles don't need an access pass from private timber companies to access DNR land. They have easements for that just like any landowner would have to access their property.

[bowbuild]

Well, my feeling is that if the state (being us) gets to pay taxes on the land, we should have access as well......WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT!

[idahohuntr]

Well, my feeling is that if the state (being us) gets to pay taxes on the land, we should have access as well......WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT!

I completely agree...we should have equal rights as any other property owner.

[billythekidrock]

Well, my feeling is that if the state (being us) gets to pay taxes on the land, we should have access as well......WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT!

I was told by DNR that we do not pay taxes on state land.

[idahohuntr]

Well, my feeling is that if the state (being us) gets to pay taxes on the land, we should have access as well......WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT!

I was told by DNR that we do not pay taxes on state land.

That is correct in a very direct sense...but the land is still owned by the people, managed in trust for the people.  So, they (DNR) fund themselves off of the returns (largely timber revenue) from our land...as opposed to us paying taxes to fund that agency.  And its been noted many times dnr land is not managed for public recreation...its to generate revenue for the state (us)...but I would contend with very few exceptions that public recreation and revenue generation are not in conflict...in fact possibly complimentary to one another...so give us access darn it 

[Humptulips]

Well, my feeling is that if the state (being us) gets to pay taxes on the land, we should have access as well......WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT!

I was told by DNR that we do not pay taxes on state land.

That is correct in a very direct sense...but the land is still owned by the people, managed in trust for the people.  So, they (DNR) fund themselves off of the returns (largely timber revenue) from our land...as opposed to us paying taxes to fund that agency. And its been noted many times dnr land is not managed for public recreation...its to generate revenue for the state (us)...but I would contend with very few exceptions that public recreation and revenue generation are not in conflict...in fact possibly complimentary to one another...so give us access darn it 

One could make  pretty good argument that this has changed since the Discover Pass.

[bowbuild]

Well, my feeling is that if the state (being us) gets to pay taxes on the land, we should have access as well......WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT!

I was told by DNR that we do not pay taxes on state land.

That is correct in a very direct sense...but the land is still owned by the people, managed in trust for the people.  So, they (DNR) fund themselves off of the returns (largely timber revenue) from our land...as opposed to us paying taxes to fund that agency. And its been noted many times dnr land is not managed for public recreation...its to generate revenue for the state (us)...but I would contend with very few exceptions that public recreation and revenue generation are not in conflict...in fact possibly complimentary to one another...so give us access darn it 

One could make  pretty good argument that this has changed since the Discover Pass.

Humptulips makes a VERY GOOD point.

[billythekidrock]

Well, my feeling is that if the state (being us) gets to pay taxes on the land, we should have access as well......WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT!

I was told by DNR that we do not pay taxes on state land.

That is correct in a very direct sense...but the land is still owned by the people, managed in trust for the people.  So, they (DNR) fund themselves off of the returns (largely timber revenue) from our land...as opposed to us paying taxes to fund that agency. And its been noted many times dnr land is not managed for public recreation...its to generate revenue for the state (us)...but I would contend with very few exceptions that public recreation and revenue generation are not in conflict...in fact possibly complimentary to one another...so give us access darn it 

One could make  pretty good argument that this has changed since the Discover Pass.

 

[washelkhunter]

Well, my feeling is that if the state (being us) gets to pay taxes on the land, we should have access as well......WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT!

I was told by DNR that we do not pay taxes on state land.

Perhaps not directly but I'll bet your fuel tax dollars were used to build the roads and such. Read in the paper today that the DP has been a failure. The recreation board is recommending a tax on bottled water and a return to the repealed excise tax on RV's to fund state parks and recreation. They're calling recreation to be classified as an "essential state service".

[blackdog]

The DNR roads are built and maintained using trust dollars from the logging revenues.

[GameHunter1959]

I just ran into this issue in SE Wa. This is a touchy situation for a number of reasons.

You will want to call the DNR Land Manager for the property you are attempting to access. Couple of things I learned..

Land locked DNR property is generally not accessible. Even if there is an access route across private land, you need to check with the DNR before crossing. If the DNR has a land access agreement with the private land owner, you need to get a copy of it and carry it on you. Generally speaking; there will be a specific access route to gain access to the DNR property. The question is whether or not you are permitted to access it. If you find a road in; check with the DNR to make sure they have not abandoned their road rights. Often; the DNR will give up their road access rights (abandon the road). If they do that; the private land owner (s) surrounding the property have full control of access permission. It is also their job to maintain the road.

Call James Earl at the Clarkston, Wa DNR facility. James can put you in contact with the DNR Manager for your area.

[bobcat]

The DNR would almost NEVER give up access to state land through private land. Once they have an easement they sure aren't going to give it up. Why would they do that? They need to be able to access the land in order to manage it. Now, the access route very often will NOT be for PUBLIC access, but only for DNR employees while conducting state business.

[mack2255]

OK I bit the bullet and bought thr Rayonier genral pass for 65 bucks. The meat is way to important to me and I don't need to argue with some forestry patrol *censored* about some pass. I don't like it but what else can we do. I guess it has come down to pay and play. If I did my math right Rayonier made just over 80k in fees for the Dicky unit. Plus another 65k in genral passes for all the Rayonier land. I can only hope they use the money to help the herds grow and recover year to year.... Thanks Rayonier