Come chat with Dept of Ecology, June 8th

[japerry]

Walker Valley holds a monthly focus group meeting every 2nd Tuesday. This next month, will be a special event, as a representative from the Department of Ecology will be invited to chat with us about Erosion control, stream delivery, and what they look for when it comes to geology and water quality issues. This is useful for people working or playing at any ORV area in Washington state.

This is YOUR chance to ask questions, get straight answers based on Washington State LAW, and understand how our use of land affects the environment.

The meeting will be held at the Northwest Washington DNR offices in Sedro Woolley, at 6:30pm June 8th. Get directions below:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=919+N...HyS7LuN4u-sgOvvujjDw&ved=0CBcQ8gEwAA&t=h&z=16

RSVP is not required, but please post if you're interested in coming. DNR has reserved the larger meeting room to hold a larger number of attendees.

Thanks to Jim Cahill for organizing this. And please refer to the Walker Valley thread if you want more information about work parties before June 8th: http://nw-wheelers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52220

Note time change, its at 6:30PM NOT 7PM on June 8th!

 

[The_Shocker]

Sounds like a great opportunity for us! I will try to be there. Thanks for posting this up.

 

[Corey Y]

Northwest Washington DNR offices in Sedro Woolley, at 6:30pm June 8th.

:awesomework:

 

[Money Mark]

This is YOUR chance to ask questions, get straight answers based on Washington State LAW, and understand how our use of land affects the environment.

What questions should we be asking? What questions will you be asking?

Some sort of direction would be good, from those in the know.

 

[dirtygoat]

japerry, are you in college or recently in college???

 

[unclestripey]

Jakob is educated, smart as a whip, and dedicated to wheeling and keeping our areas open.:awesomework:

 

[nowires]

Jakob is educated, smart as a whip, and dedicated to wheeling and keeping our areas open.:awesomework:

X2

He just needs to take a breath every once in a while.

 

[zukkev]

Although I understand this is a public meeting, I believe it would be in the best interest of all involved to channel any questions through someone (your 'guy' as it were) who is going---he/she can get the answers, and relay the info; this way they (DNR/DOE guest) are not overwhelmed by a bunch of people showing up to DEMAND an answer to their question); I encourage other areas to be involved, let's just not inendate the meeting with a bunch of demands.... Too many bodies can sometimes reverse the intention of what's trying to be accomplished...MY understanding is this guest speaker is there more to guide us in what to look for (what they look for) regarding water quality issues), rather than answer a bunch of questions that may or may not pertain.... I know there will be a few of us RRR's going (Myself, Jakob, Bill, Len IIRC)...

 

[jimpaget]

I should be able to be there also.

 

[japerry]

What questions should we be asking? What questions will you be asking?

Some sort of direction would be good, from those in the know.

I think it all depends on what is said first. Zukkev mentioned it, but the format will start with Ecology talking about what they look for when it comes to water quality issues, things you can do to fix issues temporarily, etc.

Questions will come after that. I know I'll be asking where our water quality issues compare with other groups, orgs, etc. I want to know how bad our violations are (IE are we going 5mph over the limit, or 50mph over the limit) compared to say a timber sale. The reason for this is prioritization. I want to know how we can prioritize work parties so that the biggest issues get fixed, down to the smallest issues in Ecology's eyes.

 

[japerry]

Questions should be related to water quality issues and erosion.

Good question: How, if possible could we build a 'muddy trail' that could conform to DOE standards??

Another one: How do you spot erosion and delivery from a trail?

Bad questions would be ones off topic, like: "How can we go about creating a new trail at walker?" ... although you could ask: "what are some key DOE standards we should keep in mind when designing new trails?"

 

[zukkev]

Questions should be related to water quality issues and erosion.

Good question: How, if possible could we build a 'muddy trail' that could conform to DOE standards??

Another one: How do you spot erosion and delivery from a trail?

Bad questions would be ones off topic, like: "How can we go about creating a new trail at walker?" ... although you could ask: "what are some key DOE standards we should keep in mind when designing new trails?"

Not a good question IMO...Who wants mud anyhow???
These questions will be answeredbefore we get to the open discussion part of the presentation...I think that's the primary reason for the guest speaker...to inform us of just this.:awesomework:

 

[japerry]

Not a good question IMO...Who wants mud anyhow???
These questions will be answeredbefore we get to the open discussion part of the presentation...I think that's the primary reason for the guest speaker...to inform us of just this.:awesomework:

You haven't done the busy I see. there is such a thing as fun mud. not bogs, but slick muddy sections.

So yes, these are questions I'll be thinking about when I'm listening to ecology speak. I do hope they answer all my questions so I don't have to ask them!

But key point here, everyone is invited. If you use the trails, you should be here. this is your chance to learn from ecology what is good and whats not, so you can be an informed user and be able to identify, inform, and fix problems. DNR does not have the money to travel the system, so we're tasked with taking a leading role in organizing the content for work parties.

 

[zukkev]

No I haven't done the Busy...but I have been to other areas in years past that do contain similar type trail terrain...:awesomework: I agree it'd be a good thing to show a strong interest, but I just hope there's not alot of friction from the attendees to this meeting.

 

[boardbysled]

I will be there:awesomework:

 

[japerry]

No I haven't done the Busy...but I have been to other areas in years past that do contain similar type trail terrain...:awesomework: I agree it'd be a good thing to show a strong interest, but I just hope there's not alot of friction from the attendees to this meeting.

I don't think there will be. We're not talking about closing trail or that ORV use is bad, blah blah blah. This is a meeting to help us actually understand the process of trail maintence so we can have more people armed with the know-how to tackle issues.

Infact, I'd say this meeting is a first step to opening new trails at both Reiter and Walker. Can't open up trails without correct design, and we can't identify correct vs incorrect design unless we have a good handle on maintenance and which trails are more of a pain (to maintain) than others.

This is/should be a very positive meeting :;

 

[SnoFalls]

I can not attend

Personally tho I'd like to know the following ...

* How is the effect of human interaction versus natural occurrence determined?"
For example, the overuse of the Denny Creek hiking trail vs the fact that there have been record flood occurrences (including mudslides) in the last 5 years.
(e.g., how do they determine the difference between thousands of hiking boots cutting up/across a hillside on a trail versus a couple dozen trees sliding into it with their muddy root balls.)

* What constitutes requiring closure due to "damage"?
For example, should a natural occurring mudslide close the Denny Creek hiking trail?

* What solutions are proposed by the DOE to mitigate "overuse"?
For example, when a hiking trail becomes "too popular" what do they do?
Implement "use-permit lotteries" for access?
Increase of alternative recreation areas?

It's very possible that the presentation will address this ... perhaps someone can vid it and put up to youtube?

Note, I'm purposely giving the Denny Creek hiking trail as an example because it is an "overuse" trail and the "boots" are 'supposedly' causing damage.

IMO, much of the issues raised via "best science" are instead "best guess". IOW, the silt build up must be from "use" and not the record floods/mudslides that have occurred.

Rob

 

[zukkev]

I don't think there will be. We're not talking about closing trail or that ORV use is bad, blah blah blah. This is a meeting to help us actually understand the process of trail maintence so we can have more people armed with the know-how to tackle issues.

Infact, I'd say this meeting is a first step to opening new trails at both Reiter and Walker. Can't open up trails without correct design, and we can't identify correct vs incorrect design unless we have a good handle on maintenance and which trails are more of a pain (to maintain) than others.

This is/should be a very positive meeting :;

I sure hope, and I feel this will be a good thing...just hope it doesn't turn into a bunch of fingerpointing/bitching at various people involved in these issues at hand...Pretty sure there will be very good info to come from the guest!

I can not attend

Personally tho I'd like to know the following ...

* How is the effect of human interaction versus natural occurrence determined?"
For example, the overuse of the Denny Creek hiking trail vs the fact that there have been record flood occurrences (including mudslides) in the last 5 years.
(e.g., how do they determine the difference between thousands of hiking boots cutting up/across a hillside on a trail versus a couple dozen trees sliding into it with their muddy root balls.)

* What constitutes requiring closure due to "damage"?
For example, should a natural occurring mudslide close the Denny Creek hiking trail?

* What solutions are proposed by the DOE to mitigate "overuse"?
For example, when a hiking trail becomes "too popular" what do they do?
Implement "use-permit lotteries" for access?
Increase of alternative recreation areas?

It's very possible that the presentation will address this ... perhaps someone can vid it and put up to youtube?

Note, I'm purposely giving the Denny Creek hiking trail as an example because it is an "overuse" trail and the "boots" are 'supposedly' causing damage.

IMO, much of the issues raised via "best science" are instead "best guess". IOW, the silt build up must be from "use" and not the record floods/mudslides that have occurred.

Rob

Based on what I have heard thus far, it is very likely that these questions (in general) will be brought to light.

 

[boardbysled]

Infact, I'd say this meeting is a first step to opening new trails at both Reiter and Walker. Can't open up trails without correct design, and we can't identify correct vs incorrect design unless we have a good handle on maintenance and which trails are more of a pain (to maintain) than others.

This is/should be a very positive meeting :;

I have to agree with this. Once we show that we can sucessfully maintain the current trails we have now, then we can work on making our current trails more challenging, and opening new trails into more challenging area's.:awesomework::;

 

[zukkev]

I have to agree with this. Once we show that we can successfully:fawkdancesmiley:(fixed!) maintain the current trails we have now, then we can work on making our current trails more challenging, and opening new trails into more challenging area's.:awesomework::;

(Yup, and to add).....all this plus the ability to recognize and fix any issue found quickly and efficiently!:awesomework: