Advocacy

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BBTC is actively working to protect trail access. We are working to strengthen advocacy in the riding areas where mountain bikers need a stronger presence. This means we need you, a local rider, to jump in and be our voice. It is easy, here is all you need to do to get started.

  1. Attend local meetings and get to know the land managers. You don't even need to push a specific issue, you just need to get to know them.
  2. Pay attention to notices from the local land managers so we know when a trail is at risk or needs our help, then contact the BBTC advocacy team.
  3. Email or call our staff at 206-524-2900 so we can get to know you and help out when an issue or opportunity comes your way.


Contents

[edit] Current Issues

  • Fort Ebey The scenic Bluff Trail at Fort Ebey and Kyles Kettle have been closed to bikes with the recent CAMP process. We need a volunteer to lead the appeal process on this closure and regain access to the Bluff, at least in the winter. Email if you can help.
  • Kettle Crest There is a push for Wilderness designation in the Kettle Crest area of the Colville National Forest. Please send an email supporting continued mountain bike access. View a sample email - it'll only take you about 15 seconds, so act now.
  • Mt. Saint Helens - National Park? Senator Cantwell has proposed turning the mountain into a National Park to address the funding shortfall of the Volcanic Monument. BBTC and PUMP are working with IMBA to address this issue and ensure continued mountain bike access. Please write a letter supporting the preservation of existing mountain bike access. Directions and sample letter.
  • Paradise Valley: is still closed to all public access. There has been recent progress, with a new parking lot in and a connector trail being constructed. BBTC is in close contact with Snohomish County throughout this process.
  • Soaring Eagle Park/Section 36/The Beav: King County and Sammamish have turned 30 acres (of ~600 total) over to Sammamish so they can build sports fields. There is no timeline or budget for the project, and the planning process has not officially begun.
  • Tolt MacDonald aka Carnation: These trails are mostly on Port Blakely property, and the parcel is currently up for sale. King County owns the development rights, so there will never be homes here, but trail access is not assured.
  • Wenatchee and Okanogan Roadless Areas: The Wenatchee, Okananogan and Colville National Forests are completing new forest plans. As part of this planning procss roadless areas have been identified and are being evaluated for recommendation as Wilderness, which could cause certain trails, including the Kettle Crest area, to be closed to mountain bikes.
  • Wilderness: Mountain bikes are not allowed in Federally designated Wilderness areas. We are working to preserve mountain bike trails and ensure that Wilderness is proposed only in appropriate areas.

[edit] BBTC Projects & Commitments

  • Colonnade: Limestone Loop is complete and open for riding. We are building Phase 2 right now and will finish the project by October, 2008.
  • Duthie Hill: A new 120 acre skills park being developed by BBTC and King County. Park will include xc race loop, DJs, flowlines and freeride features. Project planning began Jan. '08. $50k in YSFG grant funds need to be spent by 12/31/09, and $100k in CPG grant funds by the end of 2012.
  • Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail: Bikes are allowed on the trail on odd-numbered days in the dry season during a 3 year trial period. We are committed to 300 hrs/yr of trail maintenance and to educating users on proper use of the trail.
  • Mount Constitution: We informally agreed to coordinate one trail work party per year as part of the 2002 decision to open key trails back up to mountain bikes.
  • Tiger Mountain: We have agreed to do trail maintenance on the 3 bike trails on Tiger as part of a grant that DNR received.

[edit] Opportunities

  • Alpine Baldy: The District Ranger has issued a Decision Letter, which recommends building the 10 mile trail This comes from an agreement to put in more mtb opportunities in the Skykomish RD in mitigation for the creation of the Wild Sky Wilderness.
  • Freeride: We're working hard to get more official freeride and DH trails locally. Drive a little further and our region has some of the top freeride trails in the universe.
  • Henry's Ridge: We are working with King County on a new singletrack trail system near Maple Valley. There could be over 10 miles of trail in a nice forest.
  • Olallie: Washington State Parks is building a new 6+ mile out and back trail from Cedar Butte up to Mount Washington at Olallie State Park. They have hit a snag in hiring someone to do the design, but is working to clear this hurdle.
  • Saint Edward State Park: We are working with the City of Kenmore and Saint Edward State Park on potentially building three additional trails.
  • South Fork Snoqulamie area: Also known as "Olallie Phase 2", this area, east of North Bend and south of I-90, has been identified as a potential area for future mountain bike trails. The FS is currently proposing a road-to-trail conversion that could provide 20+ miles of mountain bike trail.

[edit] Resources

  • Liability: Information about RCW 4.24.210 and why liability should not be a hurdle for gaining trail access or legal freeride trails in Washington State.
  • What Mountain Bikers Want: A concise description for land managers on the characteristics of a desirable singletrack trail or trail network.
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