Important, February 28th is the deadline to comment......

[IBspoiled]

I found this in a trail riding group on facebook that I am a part of.  I haven't heard anything about WDFW in this regard.  I searched on the board but found nothing as well.  Can anyone shed light on this subject or do we need to get a major write in going before tomorrow?  I would imagine this would be detrimental to hunters as well.   I am copying what was posted in the horse group below. 

Please sign, write, contact! Let's flood their office and let them know we do not want this to happen!! It will make it harder for us trail riders, side by sides, 4-Wheeler's, boaters, anyone with a vehicle larger than SUV or with a trailer to find parking at trail heads. It's also making it so you won't be able to hike and camp unless it's where they choose and for those of us who like to pull over and hike or ride where we see a trail we won't be able to!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife "WDFW" has drafted a recreation plan for the million or so acres it manages. This represents quite a shift in philosophy of access to public lands in WA. It seems like the push is to shift access from permissive (limited regulation; open unless it's explicitly closed) to controlled (stronger regulation; closed unless it's explicit open). This will make it illegal to access any area, road, trail or campsite unless it's explicitly designated as open and you have reserved it.

Here is a quote from the Spokesman-Review in Spokane. "One of the more significant changes proposed in the 56-page draft would close all undesignated roads and trails to public use, unless designated open. It would also make the use of undesignated roads or trails illegal, except for “permitted dispersed uses.” At the same time, WDFW has proposed closing all WDFW-managed lands to camping, unless designated open to camping. All WDFW managed lands are currently open to camping, unless designated closed.

"The public can comment through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's online comment portal or email 10YearRecStrategy@PublicInput.com
Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Feb. 28.Written comments can be mailed to Lisa Wood, SEPA/NEPA Coordinator, WDFW Habitat Program, Protection Division, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504.

[Wphunt]

Thank you for posting. This was talked about a while ago as part of WDFW’s 10 year recreation plan. The deadline to comment kind of fell through the cracks and though I knew about the proposed changes I had no idea there was even an opportunity to comment.

[Wphunt]

Link for very easy. https://publicinput.com/10YearRecStrategy

[HillHound]

Already commented a couple times and will try to make a point to do it again every couple hours tonight and all day tomorrow. I cannot even believe that they are proposing this. Can’t fathom what would be going through their head to make them think that this would be good for anybody involved

[johnbmyersii]

  keep commenting!

[HillHound]

Back to the top. Keep commenting

[deweyc]

Just commented.  Thanks for this.  With all the spring bear and commish stuff, I seemed to have missed this. 

[HillHound]

I almost did too. Hopefully everybody else sees this. This definitely has the potential to affect us way more then spring bear, reduced quality Elk tags, or anything else we are all talking about now. This is something all big game, small game, upland, water fowl, hunters, fishers, horseman, etc. should all be able to get behind. This will basically destroy All of our opportunity on state owned land.
OPPOSE THE 10 YEAR PLAN!
OPPOSE plan to restrict off trail travel!

[Ghost Hunter]

Commented.

[HillHound]

Back to the top. Hopefully that 48 hour bump restriction  is just for classifieds. This one deserves to be up here.  I really think this is going under the radar for a lot of people