Fall is a busy time for visitors to (and inhabitants of) DNR-managed state trust lands

Bighorn sheep in Loomis State Forest. Photo: Chris Marcolin/DNR.

It’s fall. Leaves are falling. And bighorn sheep, like this one spotted in Loomis State Forest in Okanogan County, have been busy bulking up for winter.

See more fall scenery photos on our blog earlier this week or, better still, get out soon and enjoy the scenery firsthand.

Know before you go! Check our recreation page for the latest open and closure notices. www.dnr.wa.gov/recreation.

Use your Discover Pass for state lands — it’s your ticket to Washington’s Great Outdoors.

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Safety, defensive driving matter on forest roads all year round

Be alert for logging trucks and other vehicles (large or small) on forest roads, including those maintained by DNR. Photo: USFS

As winter weather rolls into Washington state’s uplands and lowlands, it becomes even more important to drive defensively–forest roads are no exception. Don’t let the appearance of a quiet, unpaved forest road lull you into driving complacency. Most DNR recreation sites are on state trust lands where timber harvests and other leasing activities generate revenue for trust beneficiaries, including local schools. A loaded logging truck coming around a bend on a one-lane forest road can be a real scare. If you hear or see one, pull off to the side of the road in a designated pull out.

Because many DNR-maintained roads into the backcountry are mountain roads, expect to find many of them too narrow for two vehicles to pass easily and with sharp curves that may prevent you from seeing approaching traffic. Here are additional tips to be safe on forest roads:

• Drive defensively: There may not be a lot of traffic but there will likely be other vehicles, such as other cars and trucks and, possibly,  logging trucks, road maintenance machinery, and other vehicles.
• Obey the rules of the road. You may be in the middle of nowhere, but the rules of the road (and basic common sense) still apply.
• Keep to the right.
• Don’t drive in the dust, mud splatter or snow mist that is kicked up by other vehicles.
• Be prepared. Expect to encounter rocks and boulders, road washouts, downed trees and other hazards.

Our Forest Road Survival Guide has more tips.

Now’s your chance—Auctions for 6 Irrigated Leases on the Sunny Side of the State

Check out the possibilities: grains,  mint, alfalfa, orchard, vineyard, and more

Public lease auctions in November 15, 16 and 28 for state trust lands on the sunny side

DNR leases trust lands for irrigated and dryland agriculture, mostly in Eastern Washington. Photos: DNR

Washington DNR is offering at public auction several large parcels of state trust lands to lease for irrigated farming in the sunny rich farmland of Eastern Washington. Not only will you create the life you love, you’ll also earn money for the state’s public schools.

Below you can glimpse the general description of each lease. You’ll see all the auction details on our agricultural leasing webpage. If you have questions, contact DNR’s specific lease managers mentioned on the webpage.

November 15, 2012 Lease Auctions

12-088784 Sand Hollow
Grant County
Minimum of 150 acres up to 233.7 acres Orchard or Vineyard, as proposed by bidder, 24-year one month term.

12-A74381 George
Grant County
280 acres Irrigated Agriculture, 10-year term.
Authorized Crops: Alfalfa, timothy, cereal grains, corn, mint, beans, peas & seed crops

12-A74300 Mattawa
Grant County
Bidder to propose one of two options:
Option 1 – 125 acres of irrigated agricultural crops, 10-year term.
Option 2 – a minimum of 135 acres up to 154.1 acres of orchard or vineyard
and option for bidders to propose irrigated agriculture as an interim use, with a 25-year lease term.

November 16, 2012 Lease Auctions

12-A73504 Clark Road
Franklin County
463.4 acres Irrigated Agriculture, 9-year term.

12-088961 Horrigan Road
Benton County
125.5 acres Irrigated Agriculture, 9-year term.

November 28, 2012 Lease Auction

12-B69125 Perry Road
Spokane County
200 acres Irrigated Agriculture, 10-year term.

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DNR’s Tribal Relations Program committed to productive, government-to-government cooperation

Nearly 100 canoes arrived in Olympia on July 29 for the last leg of the 2012 Canoe Journey., hosted this year by the Squaxin Island Tribe. Hundreds – maybe thousands – of families and spectators greeted the paddlers, some of whom began their journey on July 9. More information at http://www.paddletosquaxin2012.org. Photo: Toni Droscher/DNR.

Throughout the year, Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, the tribes and DNR work together to address natural resources issues important to all. Our tribal relations manager helps DNR and the tribes coordinate numerous  efforts involving natural resources, and other issues concerning the tribal geoduck fishery, watershed restoration, the 5.6 million acres of state trust lands DNR manages, and other shared concerns.

See our info-graphic: Map of major tribal watershed restoration partnerships in Washington State.

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Safety first at Mailbox Peak in Middle Fork Snoqualmie

Can you imagine going to your favorite hiking spot, taking a wrong turn, and getting stranded overnight? A few weeks back this happened to hikers descending from Mailbox Peak in Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA), just outside of North Bend in East King County.

The Mailbox Peak Trail gains 4,000 feet elevation in  miles. Photo: DNR

Hikers are drawn to the beautiful forests, streams, wildlife, and views of Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area from the Mailbox Peak Trail, but many have stayed away because of safety concerns and environmental damage on the trail.

The current trail is very steep, with a 4,000-foot elevation gain in just 2 miles. This grade causes significant erosion along with dangerous conditions where hikers can become injured or lost.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with the help of Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, has broken ground on a new trail and trailhead that is being built with safety and sustainability in mind. DNR looks forward to hosting a celebration for the completion of this 18-month project on National Public Lands Day, September 2013.

So, what can you do? Here are three things you can do today to stay safe on the trails—and also lend a hand.

1. Safety is always first. No matter the length of your hike, always make sure you tell someone where you are going and pack the ten essentials.

2. Get dirty! Get your hands dirty and volunteer to help build the new trail at the following work parties:
•  July 28
•  August 11

Be sure to register beforehand with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

3. Speak up. Mailbox Peak is in the Snoqualmie Corridor recreation planning area that is currently underway with the help of a citizen-based planning committee. We are asking for feedback on what recreation opportunities the public would like to see on DNR-managed state trust lands and conservation areas within the corridor.

Read the blog for more details and take a few minutes to fill out the survey.

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Your voice counts! Help shape the future of recreation in the Snoqualmie Corridor

View of the Middle Fork River in the MIddle Fork Snoqualmie NRCA. Photo: Diana Lofflin, DNR

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released a survey today to gather input on how the public would like to see recreation managed on 53,000 acres of DNR-managed state trust lands and conservation areas in the Snoqualmie Corridor (map).

Your voice counts. This survey comes in the middle of a recreation planning process that began earlier this year.  The survey results will guide a citizen-based recreation planning committee as it works to improve recreation access and opportunities.

The survey should take less than ten minutes to complete. Hurry, the survey closes on July 31, 2012.

Want to stay informed about future updates on the Snoqualmie Corridor Recreation Plan? Sign up for our newsletter.

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Bears: 1; Campers: 0 — A little awareness to keep you and the wildlife safe

Putting food away and following other common-sense tips can help you stay safe this summer in bear country. Photo: Laura Anglin.

It’s camping and picnicking season. Whether you are at a campground, day use area, or on a trail (see what recreation sites and trails are open on DNR-managed state trust lands), please be bear-wise. Black bears can be found in most parts of Washington State. They usually do no harm, but people who are careless with storing food or who feed the wildlife can get into trouble. Photos from the recent Bear Awareness Weekend at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park near Olympia display what can happen when campers fail to store food securely or neglect other basic steps that can discourage a bear-human encounter.

Most bear-human encounters are preventable. They also can be bad for everyone involved. Here are do’s and don’ts for traveling in bear country from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Cooperative Extension at Washington State University also has tips. They can keep you safe — and the bears, too.

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Our top posts in May: Volcanos, turtles and wildfire safety were popular topics

 Here’s a round-up of some of Ear to the Ground’s most popular posts during May.

Photo: Keith Stoffel (c) 2010

Mount St. Helens blew its top 32 years ago
Highly popular with readers in May was our blog commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the Mount St. Helens eruption on May 18, 1980. This posting apparently spurred many to glance back at other blogs we’ve published about Mount St. Helens, including one we published on the 30th anniversary, Unique vantage point gives a very close look at the eruption of Mount St. Helens in which former DNR employee Keith Stoffel describes his too-close-for-comfort encounter with the mountain back in 1980. Stoffel, his wife, and the pilot of the small plane in which they rode barely escaped when the volcano exploded just as they happened to be flying over it. Stoffel managed to take a few photos including the one at the left.

Pitiful fire pits get marvelous makeovers from volunteers
Our description of the fine work that Boy Scouts of America and other volunteers put in over a couple of weekends in May preparing campfire pits in DNR campgrounds for summer recreation was a popular read.

 

Community wildfire preparedness prevents a costly fire
Sometimes what doesn’t happen is what’s most interesting. Many of you read our description of how a rural community’s attention to wildfire prevention (especially brush clearing and tree maintenance) helped save at least one rural home from a wildfire.

 

DNR-managed inmate crews aid restoration of native turtle habitat in Columbia River Gorge
Many of you are drawn to stories about wildlife. Our blog on how DNR-managed inmate work crews are playing a major role in habitat restoration for the native western pond turtle in the Columbia River Gorge was one of the most highly read stories that we posted last month.

 

Hiking Alert: Mount Si and Teneriffe Falls Trails Temporarily Closed
Our blog about a temporary closure of trails in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area for a helicopter operation also was a popular posting during in May (though the closure wasn’t very popular). All in all, more evidence of how popular this scenic area is with hikers and Ear to the Ground readers.

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Commissioner will celebrate National Trails Day® with volunteers – June 2

The 10,270-acre Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area in eastern King County designated NRCA by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. Photo: DNR

Commissioner of Public Lands, Peter Goldmark, is lending his hand to celebrate the launch of construction on a new Mailbox Peak Trail and trailhead in Middle Fork Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) in the Snoqualmie Corridor during National Trails Day®.

The Middle Fork NRCA is conserved to protect native and unique habitat, while providing trails and facilities that offer low-impact and sustainable recreation, such as hiking and wildlife viewing.

Commissioner Goldmark also will talk about other enhancement projects including:

• Conversion of roads to trails in Granite Creek Basin
• Improving access to the Middle Fork NRCA  (including paving the access road and building  a 42-car parking lot).

This event is a joint project with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and will also feature a presentation by Sally Jewell, immediate Past President of the Greenway Trust, and CEO of REI.  

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust have enjoyed a 20-year partnership in many efforts in the I-90 corridor. This partnership has resulted in the Greenway landscape that you see today– a matrix of working forests and conservation lands connecting 1.5 million acres with recreational access for a variety of low-impact activities. The best part: This area is less than an hour’s drive from Seattle.

Mailbox Peak Trail – Did you know?!
The Mailbox Peak Trail is one of the highlights of this National Trails Day® event. It is a hiker magnet, but dangerous conditions and environmental damage have inspired the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and DNR to work with stakeholders to redesign the trail to be sustainable and user friendly. 

…And guess what! You can be a part of the solution by volunteering to kick-off trail construction at Mailbox Peak Trail on June 2! Or join one of the other National Trails Day activities going on across the state.

Happy Trails!

 

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Hold your horses! Barbecue Flats area closed

Getting ready for Memorial Day adventures? Be sure to adjust your plans if you had planned on heading to Barbecue Flats dispersed recreation area in Yakima County— public access is closed.

DNR is working with other landowners to restore public access to this popular area, so stay tuned.

We recommend Cascade Camp as your best alternative for your hiking and equestrian adventures (see map for details).

Warning: There is no turn-around point once you hit the road closure.

What’s worse than being up a creek without a paddle? Driving a horse trailer to a road closure without a turn-around point.

On a more serious note, we are concerned about public safety. Please forward this blog to those you know who may want to visit this area.

The road closure is on Meloy Road, one mile from the junction of Wenas and Audubon Roads.

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