DNR Recreation News banner
March 4, 2013

Hi, folks:

 

Can you believe it? Spring is right around the corner!  

 

It's time to gear up DNRs website and recreation sites for spring recreation. Check out the topics below and take a moment to fill out our survey on our recreation website. 

 surveyLast chance: take the recreation survey today!  

  summer montage

Please take 3 minutes to tell us how we can help you gear up for your next DNR adventure.

Do you love DNR's Facebook posts?

 

Are you anxious for the latest Capitol State Forest map?

 

Can you find what you're looking for on our website?

 

...Now is your chance to let us know.

 

Hurry, the survey closes March 8.

Please share with your friends and make an even bigger impact.

"What you invest your time in defines who you are." 
-Todd Duncan 
capitol_forest_mapNew Capitol State Forest map

 

Calling all Olympia mud runners, Capitol Forest tire burners, and crazy-about-trail trotters... the new Capitol State Forest map is here!


Buy your copy now.

 

Can't wait for it to arrive in the mail? Request it from your favorite vendor or visit the state printing office at:

 

Department of Enterprise Services
7580 New Market St SW (Front Office)
Tumwater, WA 98501
See: Vicinity Map - Tumwater 

 

The last edition was printed in 2002.

 

 

 

What's new in the 2013 edition? Plenty!

  • New trails
  • New road names
  • Updated trail names and locations
  • More precise elevation data
  • More detailed maps of the Middle Waddell, Margaret McKenny, and Mima Falls areas.
  • Tips for 'Playing it Safe' in the forest
  • A 'Recreation Fun Guide' to get you started on a Capitol State Forest adventure...and much more!

Stay tuned. We will be featuring a FREE downloadable Capitol State Forest map for your smart phone and the top 12 reasons to visit Capitol State Forest in upcoming blogs.

legislationProposed legislation 

In January, DNR's Kirk Thomas participated in the Big Tent Outdoor Coalition at the Legislative building to celebrate the importance of our state's outdoor recreation economy. Photo: Diana Lofflin, DNR.

The 2013 legislative session has been very active with proposed changes to the Discover Pass program and recreation funding. Many of the proposed changes can be grouped into several major themes, as follows:


Increasing revenue for Washington State recreation lands   

  • Lifting the lid on the gasoline tax to generate additional revenue.
  • General Fund reimbursement for Discover Pass exemptions in State Parks.
  • General Fund match for every dollar collected from Discover Pass sales 

Ability to register and receive "On-road" tabs and ID plate for motorized recreation vehicles

  • Certain categories of motorized recreation vehicles (MRVs) would be eligible to register and receive ID plates and "on road" tabs.
  • These vehicles would then be allowed on certain roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.

Exempt new groups from the Discover Pass requirement  

  • Proposed exempt groups include:
    • Dual sport motorcycles - those motorcycles with ORV tabs and are street licensed.   
    • MRVs with "On-road" tabs
    • Disabled veterans
    • Hunters and fishers with Vehicle Access Passes on DNR lands
    • Food stamp-eligible households 

Review a list of primary bills that will affect recreation lands. The bills that are in "red" made it through committee and are still moving forward. Click on the bill number for a summary of the bill information and the proposed legislation.

budgetRecreation budget update 
View from a secluded cove at Lummi Island NRCA. Photo: Diana Lofflin, DNR.

 

The 2013-2015 budget that Governor Gregoire submitted in December kept DNR's recreation budget intact with the exception of the capital budget, which allocated $1 million out of the requested $5 million.Here is the list of proposed capital projects highlighting those included in the $1 million capital budget.

 

The focus for the capital budget was addressing human health and safety issues and implementation of the 6 recreation plans in various stages across the state.  

 

The Senate and House will come out with their budgets later in March, so stay tuned. 

monthinblogsMonth in blogs  

high hut mount tahoma
Get away to the Mount Tahoma snow huts on DNR-managed lands
hunters meadow cabin loomis snowmobile
Volunteers step up to remodel a DNR winter cabin in time for snowmobile season
A Day in the life: Recreation Planning Committee

Cypress island wcc
Cypress Island campsites get a makeover to protect native habitat
The little trail that could: Mailbox Peak Trail mentioned by President Obama
Reiter Foothills
Reiter Foothills test rides draws a crowd

Volunteer at the mysterious Mima Mounds NAP near Olympia
cattle point
The popular Cattle Point NRCA gets a makeover
Sheep Creek Campground
Thank you, Town of Northport, for saving Sheep Creek Campground!
Join Forest Watch
Join Forest Watch and become a better friend of the forest

nw e-newsletter

nw_newsletter 

Join the Northwest E-newsletter to get the latest on what's happening on DNR-managed lands in San Juan, Skagit, Snoqhomish, Whatcom, and Island counties.  

reiter snow 4x4
 Check out DNR's Northwest E-newsletter for the latest updates on the Northwest area, including Reiter Foothills motorized trails. Photo: David Way, DNR.

 

 

February's edition includes pictures from the Seattle Times of the Reiter Foothills 4x4 challenge course test rides. There also are pictures and updates from Walker Valley, Blanchard Mountain, and Cypress Island NRCA.  

 
Mark R. Mauren 
Assistant Division Manager
Recreation, Public Access and WCC Programs
Asset Management and Recreation Division
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
360-902-1047
 
mark.mauren@dnr.wa.gov
www.dnr.wa.gov

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Horses and mountain bikers on multi-use trail.