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!

Boulder River trail might get longer

Mar 18, 2011

The Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest proposes building a new parking lot at milepost 3.0 on the French Creek Road to replace the current parking area at milepost 3.7. They would place the remaining 0.7 miles of road into storage and use it as an extension of the Boulder River Trail until new trail mileage could be constructed from the new parking lot, adding 1.4 miles to the current trail.

Obama's Budget: Long on Acquisition, Short on Maintenance

Feb 24, 2011

President Obama's budget calls for full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund but proposes to slice $206 million from the Forest Service Capital Improvement budget.

Carbon River Road to become a trail

Feb 17, 2011

On February 11, Mount Rainier National Park announced its final decision to convert the Carbon River Road into a trail for hikers and bicyclists.

Hikers in Olympia Today, Lobbying to Keep State Lands Open

Feb 09, 2011

Nearly one hundred hikers are in the state capitol for Hiker Lobby Day, organized by Washington Trails Association. After a morning issue briefing and training session, hikers will spend the afternoon meeting with their state representatives and senators, urging their support for state recreation lands.

Multi-Agency User Fee Bill is Now Official

Feb 01, 2011

Proposed legislation would establish a recreation pass that would cover State Park, DNR and Department of Fish and Wildlife recreation lands. Users would be subject to $10/car day pass or a $30 annual pass.

Making Progress, Thanks to You

Jan 28, 2011

Olympia is listening! A new proposal being floated would establish a combined DNR-DFW-State Parks recreation pass that would be on a per car (not per person) basis.

The 2011 Legislative Session Commences!

Jan 10, 2011

This year, the legislature will be deliberating over some bills that impact hikers - from a $10/person/day fee for hikers on DNR lands to a bill that would merge natural resource agencies to a potential increase in funds from the NOVA program

Hikers Face Tough Legislative Session

Dec 30, 2010

Issues that WTA will grapple with during the 2011 Legislative Session: users fees for DNR and Fish and Wildlife Lands, funding for State Parks, agency consolidation.

Dosewallips River Road Washout FEIS released

Nov 18, 2010

The Olympic National Forest has released a final EIS on re-routing the Dosewallips River Road.

War of the Sno-Parks

Nov 17, 2010

Washington and Oregon tussle over a 30-year reciprocal agreement to honor Sno-Parks passes.

Hikers to See More User Fees

Nov 11, 2010

State land management agencies are proposing legislation to authorize steep user fees for recreationists on Department of Natural Resource lands, including one of the state's most popular trails, Mount Si. These lands need stable, sustainable sources of funding, and a reasonable user fee system is a good approach. Is $10 per person per day to hike Mount Si "reasonable?" What do you think?

Six State Parks Slated for Mothballing

Oct 07, 2010

To comply with mandated budget cuts, State Parks proposes mothballing six parks, including Squak Mountain, Federation Forest, Fort Ward, Peshastin Pinnacles, Tolmie, and Flaming Geyser.

House approves full funding for Land and Water Conservation Fund

Aug 11, 2010

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

Public meetings on state budget

Jul 10, 2010

Help Shape the Future of Our Trails

Jun 25, 2010

The Department of Interior is holding a series of listening sessions across the country. Seattle's listening session will be held on July 1 from 6:30 pm-9:00 pm at Franklin High School in Seattle.

Wenatchee River District plans to relocate Icicle Creek Road

Jun 16, 2010

The Wenatchee River Ranger District is in the process of planning to reopen the Icicle Road and restore access to trailheads and campgrounds by next spring.

DNR plans major trail expansion in SW Washington

May 25, 2010

Glacier Peak Copper Mine finally put to bed

May 13, 2010

2010 Legislative Session: It's done.

Apr 22, 2010

New projects on the Darrington District

Apr 05, 2010

NRTP Grants Awarded to WTA

Mar 18, 2010

WTA Awarded Spring Trust for Trails Grant

Mar 04, 2010

Administration Budget slashes trails

Feb 22, 2010

DNR fee legislation revised

Feb 11, 2010

WTA Hiker Lobby Day was a great success

Feb 04, 2010

WTA's DC Lobby Trip

Jan 28, 2010

Legislative Update - Week 2

Jan 21, 2010

Governor Releases Supplemental Budget

Dec 11, 2009

New Trails or Transmission Lines for the Yacolt Burn?

Dec 08, 2009

Over the past two years DNR staff and local trail user groups have developed a draft recreation plan for the Yacolt Burn State Forest. The 10 year plan calls more more trails and campground facilities, but will an expanded regional power grid trump trails and recreation?

Mailbox Gets Four Magic Letters: NRCA

Dec 04, 2009