DNR Does the Right Thing!

Back in 1989 when I first moved to Washington State, old-growth trees were being cut down faster than Congress can spend money on wars, entitlements, and subsidies. Matter-of-fact, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which manages over five million acres of our public lands had a hard time trying to convince me that DNR didn't stand for Department of Nothing Remaining! But common sense and a more balanced approach (not yet achieved by Congress however when it comes to spending) started becoming the order for DNR in the mid 1990s. Among the department's new enlightenment was that we didn't have to cut down every tree to fund our schools (which can probably do a little more belt-tightening-but that's another story). Yep, there were some areas, particularly groves of old-growth and exceptional wildlife lands that are more valuable to us standing for recreation, wildlife and watershed protection than by being piles of lumber. DNR continues to march to this new and improved management strategy by declaring over 10,000 acres of its Middle Fork Snoqualmie River lands as a Natural Resources Conservation Area. That announcement was delivered at the Mountain to Sounds Greenway Trust's annual dinner on December 2. Read here. What this means in the bigger picture for the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley, is that the move to declare adjacent US Forest Service lands as wilderness is all the more important now. For if the bill that is currently before Congress (thanks to Congressman Reichert and Senator Murray) is approved into law, a much larger contiguous piece of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie will now be protected. Good move DNR. Now, lets move Congress to get the wilderness bill passed. And hopefully our governor who has shown great indifference in her 5 years in office to adequately fund our state parks and lands (even during good times-where did all the money go, Ms Gregoire?) will see the light too and not fiscally destroy this valuable agency.

Good News on Good Friday!

I just received this release from Amy Brockhaus of the Mountains to Sound Greenway. Excellent news indeed!

Mt. Si Natural Resource Conservation Area Expanded

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2009

SEATTLE, WA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) approved the addition of approximately 2,100 acres to the Mt. Si Natural Resources Conservation Area. “The addition of these lands to Mt. Si will enhance one of the most popular conservation and recreation areas in the Greenway,” says Cynthia Welti, Executive Director of the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

“With this addition, the Mount Si NRCA is now protecting more than 12,000 acres from development in eastern King County,” said State Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark.

The expansion will extend the Mt. Si conservation area boundary to the banks of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River. “This is a spectacular low-elevation forest,” says Mark Boyar, Greenway Trust Board Member and President of the Middle Fork Outdoor Recreation Coalition. “It’s biologically rich, year-around habitat for many animals so permanent conservation of this area is wonderful news. It also happens to be a popular spot for hikers, kayakers, rafters, and fishers. The Washington State Legislature and the Board of Natural Resources have made a great move with this expansion.”

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust coalition has been working over the past two decades to conserve lands on and around Mt. Si through public ownership. The Greenway Trust in partnership with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources has undertaken major trail improvement projects on the 4-mile Mt. Si Trail and the 2.5-mile Little Si Trail over the past several years.
About The Mountains to Sound Greenway:
The 100-mile Mountains to Sound Greenway connects natural areas, trails, working farms and forests, historic towns and communities, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities. The Greenway provides easy access to recreation and nature for millions of people in the Northwest, helping to ensure the quality of life in the region.

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is a nonprofit conservation organization established in 1991 to protect the landscape surrounding Interstate 90 between Seattle and Central Washington. The Greenway Trust works to promote public land acquisitions, connect a continuous regional trail system, teach people of all ages about the importance of conserving forests and wildlife, improve recreation access, create new parks and trails and mobilize thousands of volunteers.

Contacts: Doug Schindler, 206.618.6265, doug.schindler@mtgreenway.org
Amy Brockhaus, 206.382.5565, amy.brockhaus@mtsgreenway.org

For More Information: mtsgreenway.org

(photo- Mount Si rises above Little Si, one of the featured hikes in my upcoming Western Washington Winter Hikes Card Deck (Mountaineers Books))

An Expanded

Alpine Lakes Wilderness?

Congressman Dave Reichert (R WA 8th District) has set the wheels rolling this Congressional session to get more wilderness protection in the Central Cascades. His bill which purports to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness by 26,000 acres mostly within the Pratt River and Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valleys is a no-nonsense no pork-spending no partisan-bickering bill. I know this bill is minuscule compared to the Trillion dollar leverage our future on a lot of ridiculous projects bill- I mean the Obama stimulus bill- but it would be nice to get this little wilderness bill passed-and keep the ball rolling for more wilderness protection. Can an Eastern Washington Wilderness Bill be on the horizon? The economy may be melting down, but lets try not take our roadless areas with it.

(photo- Middle Fork Snoqualmie River just outside of the proposed new wilderness expansion)

Rebirth of a Valley

Last week I had the opportunity to hike the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River Trail. I had hiked the upper reaches of this valley back in 1991. Back when the valley was a dumping ground, shooting ground, and a refuge for fugitives and meth-heads. It wasn't a very nice place back then and a place you definitely did not feel safe in. Boy, have times changed-and for the better! The Middle Fork is transforming into what it should have been from the get-go a recreation and wild haven- Seattle's backyard wilderness- and a great place to hike, camp, explore and play. Much of this transformation has been the result of concerned citizens and in particular the vision of the Mountains to Sound Greenway. The greenway, a non-profit non-partisan organization made up of a wide array of members continues to transform this valley as well as the I-90 corridor from Seattle to Ellensburg into a top-notch wildlife and recreation gem. Bravo! Where once I thought I had seen enough to discourage any further hiking, I now look forward to returning. My two upcoming projects- Winter Hikes and Backpacking Washington both contain Middle Fork Destinations. I think people will be pleasantly surprised to find such a great area so close to the city. I look forward to more explorations here. But please upgrade the road! It is still a God-awful pothole ridden aggravating byway!

(photo- alpenglow on the Russian Buttes above the Middle Fork of the Snoqulamie River)