Advocacy in the Blog

Current issues affecting trails and hikers.

The latest news and wins on issues impacting hikers and public lands. Stay in the loop by signing up for Trail Action Network today!

New Developments For The Green Mountain Lookout

Jun 08, 2012

There are new developments in the controversy over the Green Mountain Lookout, as a powerful line-up of voices express support for leaving the structure in place.

Open House for Accessible Trails

May 08, 2012

To better inform people with disabilities about what to expect of a trail in Oregon and in SW Washington, a committee called Access Recreation is in the process of developing guidelines so that land managers can provide useful information to users with disabilities to better decide if a particular trail or a portion of that is suitable for them.

Last Chance To Comment On Suiattle Repairs!

Apr 19, 2012

If you haven't commented on the Suiattle River Road Repair Environmental Assessment (EA), now is the time! The closing date for comments is tomorrow, and if you care about this area you should make sure your voice is heard.

Discover Pass: Now Transferable

Mar 30, 2012

Today, Governor Gregoire signed HB 2373, which makes the Discover Pass transferable between two vehicles. An emergency clause in the legislation makes it take effect immediately and makes it retroactive. It also creates a new $50 universally transferable pass.

Federal Judge Orders Removal Of Green Mountain Lookout

Mar 29, 2012

On March 27, Federal District Judge John Coughenor ordered that the recently restored Green Mountain Lookout be removed.

Suiattle Road Environmental Assessment Released

Mar 20, 2012

Landslides in 2003 and 2006 have closed 11 miles of the Suiattle River Road (FR 26) to hikers and campers wishing to access the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Now more than 8 years after the road was damaged, an Environmental Assessment has been published, kicking off a 30-day public comment period.

WTA in the Other Washington

Mar 05, 2012

WTA Executive Director Karen Daubert and board member Jeff Chapman visited Washington's congressional delegation in Washington, DC last week, stressing the importance of the Recreation Trails Program and park and forest funding.

Senate Passes Discover Pass Transferability Bill

Mar 06, 2012

Today, the state Senate passed a striking amendment that made changes to the House-passed Discover Pass legislation - inching the transferability bill closer to final passage.

Discover Pass Bill Passes House

Feb 28, 2012

The Discover Pass bill that would allow for transferability between two vehicles, HB 2372, has passed the state House of Representatives.

Repairs to Index-Galena Road Delayed

Feb 28, 2012

Repairs to Snohomish County's Index-Galena Road have been put on hold while the county and Federal Highway Administration perform a full Environmental Assessment on the remainder of the the project.

WTA Meeting Elected Officials in Washington, DC this Week

Feb 27, 2012

WTA's Executive Director, Karen Daubert, and board member, Jeff Chapman are in Washington, DC meeting with our state's elected officials this week advocating on behalf of the Recreation Trails Program, which helps fund critical trail maintenance projects in Washington and other states.

Act Now To Help Protect Trails!

Feb 15, 2012

The Recreation Trails Program (RTP) - the grant program in the federal transportation funding bill that provides essential support for trail maintenance all over Washington state - is in jeopardy and we need you to call your senators to support an amendment that would restore RTP to the Senate bill (MAP-21).

DNR Starts Planning For Snoqualmie Corridor

Feb 13, 2012

The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has kicked off its recreation planning process for the Snoqualmie Corridor. A 12-member planning committee will help inform the decision-making process and is currently taking applications.

Trails Activists Hike in Olympia Today

Feb 01, 2012

Program that Helps Fund Volunteer Vacations on the Chopping Block

Jan 31, 2012

Dueling federal Surface Transportation Funding bills create uncertainly for the Recreation Trails Program that helps fund Washington Trails Association's Volunteer Vacations, Backcountry Response Teams and Youth trail work.

SB 5977 Passes Senate!

Jan 27, 2012

SP 5977, the bill that would allow two license plates to share a Discover Pass, passed the Washington State Senate by a vote of 44-0 on January 27, 2012.

The Impacts of Ranger Layoffs

Jan 12, 2012

In the week between Christmas and New Year's, 83 Washington State Parks rangers were handed pink slips in the first wave of layoffs spurred by agency revenue shortfalls. Maintaining and patrolling State Parks in the absence of full-time rangers will be a major challenge in the coming year.

Planning For The Future Of Recreation in the Snoqualmie Corridor

Jan 10, 2012

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is launching a planning process that will culminate in a plan to manage DNR recreation, conservation and trust lands. This is a great opportunity to get involved the long-term outlook for some of our most prized hiking lands!

State Legislative Session Kicks off Today

Jan 09, 2012

Special Session Adjourns

Dec 15, 2011

The Washington State legislature adjourned its special session during the hearing that was taking up vehicle transferability for the Discover Pass. We expect that this bill will move in 2012.

Legislation Would Make Discover Pass Transferable Between Vehicles

Dec 09, 2011

Senator Kevin Ranker has introduced a bill that would allow each purchaser of a Discover Pass to use it on two vehicles, effective immediately. The legislation applies to current pass holders as well as future ones.

State Parks To Cut 161 Jobs

Dec 07, 2011

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission voted yesterday on a budget proposal that would result in the loss of 161 jobs at the agency. WTA explores what that would mean for hikers.

A "Transferable" Discover Pass?

Nov 17, 2011

Agencies that manage the state Discover Pass are very likely to deliver a transferable pass in 2012. There are several forms this could take, which will depend on administrative challenges and revenue impacts inherent in each proposal..

Roadless Rule Upheld By 10th Circuit

Oct 24, 2011

The Roadless Area Conservation Policy, a Clinton-era rule that set 58.5 million acres nationwide (more than 2 million in Washington) aside from road-building, was upheld by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday.

RTP Extended Until March 31

Oct 13, 2011

Congress has extended the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) through March 2012. RTP provides funds to states for the development and maintenance of recreational trails and trail-related facilities and is a major source of WTA's trail work funding.

Suiattle River Road Open House: September 15

Sep 09, 2011

The Forest Service is looking for public input about rebuilding the Suiattle River Road at an open house on the Darrington Ranger Station on Thursday, September 15.

WTA Meets with Rep. Herrera Beutler to Discuss Trail Funding

Aug 25, 2011

WTA and other user groups met last week with Representative Jaime Herrera Buetler (3rd district) to discuss trails funding.

Post Game Recap: Seattle Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville Forest Planning Meeting

Aug 17, 2011

On Saturday, August 13, 70 people turned out in Seattle to gather information about the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests' efforts to rewrite their forest plans. WTA Advocacy Director learned some interesting things about how the agency plans to address wilderness and the backlog of trail maintenance projects.

The World Belongs To Those Who Show Up

Aug 09, 2011

The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests are holding a public meeting at the Seattle Mountaineers this Saturday, August 13, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. The event will be followed by a community cookout, sponsored by The Mountaineers, The Sierra Club, WTA, Conservation Northwest and Washington Wilderness Coalition.

Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests take the next step

Jul 18, 2011

The Okanogan-Wenatchee-Colville National Forests have recently released a Proposed Action - the first step in establishing a new Forest Plan that will govern activities for the next 15 years. This is the best time for hikers to be involved in the process.