Mtg on DNR Rules

[obwan]

This will be my trip report on the DNR Rules mtg at the Issaquah Library last night.7pm 11/05/08.

First of all, a thanks to MattP for the tip about the mtg shown at the end of my post on "Static Point 10/28/08" (he also shows links to the revisions). The last time I got involved with the DNR folks was about 18 years ago (more on that coming). I hope I have enough Henry's to get through this.

The mtg was attended by about 90 people to have a public hearing and testimony on the upcoming rule changes due to the Legislature by Dec 2nd,08; with final input by email Nov 10th in just a few days. There was a mineral/rockhound, a couple shooters, some mtn bikers but mostly dirt bikers (over a dozen), and a couple snowmobilers. I seemed to be the only climber and the pres. of Issaquah Alps.

In my view they are pretty worried about being shut out, and you constantly hear about lack of funding. One of the dirt bikers was a lawyer, and like me saw to many vague areas and stuff left open to interpretation - it's a good start, but the intent could be misused by local, over zealous land managers with a personal vendetta (I advised the committee that a few local mngrs should re-read the DNR mission statement anyway). This has been the first re-write since 1970 and may be needed to get current with the new hobbies and interests. It is pretty specific to firearms, motorized and non-motorized use, camping and fires, etc. but nothing about climbing. One area talks about new trails and removing soil, plants, rocks etc (gardening?? route cleaning??) who knows. And I can see why maybe, as the working commttee has no climber or Access Fund type - only the dirt bikers, mtn club etc. It's disturbing to note all the WAC and RCW stuff that takes a lawyer to read, but definitely violations do not appear to be a slap on the wrist; and are classified as 'misdemeanors'.

So, I couldn't let the mtg go by while the other groups/affiliations gave their testimony - and I gave some public comment from the climbing community, with a promise to follow up with some email. With only a few days left, perhaps a few of you could read these changes and send an email to: sepacenter@dnr.wa.gov

This is Dejavu back to 1990/91 when Bryan Burdo and Leland were busy putting up routes at Lil' SI (Exit 32). they were reported to Olympia as putting in erosive trails and hundreds of bolts. So Bryan and I took the North Bend DNR lady and her bosses up the trail, and they couldn't find one bolt until we showed them. Then we apologized and promised to do trail work, which we did over the next couple years thru Andy Fitz/Access Fund and WTA, REI and others and made it a real nice area. Also as a back fall the route builders agreed on a moratorium for new routes and said we'd start development on Exit 38. Guess what? Trouble again as it was a State Park - The Ironhorse Trail, and the Ranger said we couln't climb there. So we linked him and Olympia up with the DNR lady who helped champion a budget for a parking lot and trail revision, as the old one went through a neighbohood and almost shut it all down at Li'l SI. So don't tell me money is an issue (this was also a recession time, Gulf War etc), you just have to budget it and wait for the beauracy to unfold - so the system did work,.. and we have a couple of nice local climbing areas inspite of all the pro's and con's. We also got a revised State Park RCW to recognize Rock Climbing - ok for a start, but it has worked.

If you have made it this far and get what is going on -I'd recommend we get involved like the climber coalitions in B.C. do, along with these Mtn Bikers. Let's hope it's not to late - so please read up on this and offer any comments by Nov 10th.

Cheers,

ps. I luv Henry's Blonde!

Edited November 7, 2008 by obwan