The North Fork will rise again!

[SixZeroSixOne]

Let me get this right...you are inviting every 'responsible' mountain biker to ride the North Fork trails?? Cool!! :-)

[Sharon]

Originally Posted by SixZeroSixOne

Let me get this right...you are inviting every 'responsible' mountain biker to ride the North Fork trails?? Cool!! :-)

At least this will hopefully ensure they'll HAVE trails! I don't think the area will be overrun. Its not that easy to get to.

[SixZeroSixOne]

Originally Posted by Sharon

Its not that easy to get to.

You're right, getting across the border can be a pain in the ass

(I actually had one the prolific NF trail builders show me around some of his trails. They really were well built and flowed beautifully and he was justifiably proud of his work. I've not been back since, so let's hope there's a postive resolution to this as I for one would like to ride there again)

[MTB Trails]

Good news:

PRESS RELEASE: OLYMPIA… Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, today sent a letter to Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark asking him to suspend the Department of Natural Resources’ plan to decommission the mountain-bike trail system on Slide Mountain at the North Fork Nooksack River. The work is set to begin Monday.

The trail system, which is user-built, is not an authorized recreational area and off-road vehicle enthusiasts have insisted that if motorized-vehicle user groups are denied access, all access should be denied.

Ericksen said “I have asked for time to review all documents related to the environmental and management problems perceived by DNR; communications with county officials, mountain-bike organizations, neighbors to the area and other interested parties; and any complaints regarding mountain-bike activities in the area.

“I am very concerned about this proposed closure. I believe strongly that public lands should be as open and available as possible for public recreational activities.

“There are no authorized recreational areas on DNR land in Whatcom County. The user-built mountain-bike trail system is a reflection of the need for such recreational opportunities.”

[thad]

Not so good news. Hopefully the DNR will be getting some top down direction, from the people, through their elected legislators. The reactive approach is not serving their mandate to provide the public with access to recreation on public lands.
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEduc...trails_nr.aspx
DNR to close access to illegal and unauthorized mountain bike trails in northeastern Whatcom County
Safety, water quality, and protection of state trust lands key reasons for closure

OLYMPIA – On Monday, April 2, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin closing access to illegal, unauthorized mountain bike trails and structures in the North Fork Nooksack forest block in northeastern Whatcom County. The trails were built without obtaining permission from DNR or county and state permits.

Without careful planning and developing, these trails pose a risk to public safety and the environmental health of the area. And without proper engineering design, liability coverage, and maintenance, DNR cannot ensure the public’s safety. In addition, the sediment running off the trails can impact water quality.

“We recognize that these trails have become popular with mountain bikers—who come from all over western Washington to ride them,” said Mark Mauren, DNR’s Recreation Program Manager. “We appreciate that the public places a great deal of value on having access to outdoor recreation in this part of the state. But we need to direct people to trails that are safe and sustainable.”

Beginning Monday, DNR crews will be removing user-built structures and restoring the areas where the unauthorized trails were built. In addition, DNR law enforcement officers will monitor the area and issue citations to anyone observed trying to build illegal trails or structures or attempting to ride these trails.

Thoughtful planning provides sustainable recreation
DNR is committed to providing recreation opportunities that are compatible with its obligation as steward of nearly 3 million acres of state trust lands. The agency is interested in pursuing safe and sustainable trail-based recreation in the county through a thoughtful planning process that involves input from citizens and recreation user groups.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with the public to get funding and to plan and develop new recreation areas,” Mauren said. “Once developed, these areas will also need adequate funding to maintain and provide enforcement protection.”

In addition, DNR recreation planning relies on the best available science to help determine the most suitable locations for siting trails and facilities. To develop a new recreation site, DNR must also obtain all state and county permits and have adequate resources to maintain trail systems once they are built.


For the past five years, DNR has been developing recreation plans on state lands. Designated mountain bike trails are included in each of these landscapes, including Reiter Foothills Forest in eastern Snohomish County; Yacolt Burn State Forest, in southeast Washington; and Ahtanum State Forest west of Yakima. To date, DNR has developed or is in the process of developing recreation plans on 314,000 acres of state forested trust lands.

Other mountain bike options
Nearby mountain biking opportunities on DNR-managed lands include Blanchard Forest, which has some designated mountain biking trails and Walker Valley ORV Trail System, east of Mount Vernon.

Many of the ski resorts in the area, such as Stevens Pass and Whistler Mountain, offer summer mountain biking opportunities. Duthie Hill Bike Park near Issaquah provides year-round riding.

Recreation on DNR-managed lands
DNR manages 5.6 million acres of state-owned forest, aquatic, agricultural, conservation and urban lands. Most recreation on these lands takes place in the 2.9 million acres of forests that DNR manages as state trust lands. By law, state trust lands are managed to produce income for schools, universities, prisons, state mental hospitals, community colleges, local services in many counties, and the state’s General Fund. State trust lands are also managed to provide fish and wildlife habitat and educational and recreational opportunities.

DNR-managed lands provide 1,100 miles of trails, 143 recreation sites, and a variety of landscapes throughout Washington State. Recreational opportunities include hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, motorized vehicle riding, mountain biking, and boating.

DNR’s main recreation focus is to provide trails, trailhead facilities, and a primitive camping experience in a natural setting.

Media Contact: Bryan Flint, DNR Director of Communications and Outreach, 360-902-1023, bryan.flint@dnr.wa.gov

[Bryan]

^^ wow the options that they give for you guys to go ride elsewhere......is not so local is it. Seems like most of the options are an hour or more drive for the local Bellingham resident.

[Sharon]

Originally Posted by thad

Not so good news. Hopefully the DNR will be getting some top down direction, from the people, through their elected legislators. The reactive approach is not serving their mandate to provide the public with access to recreation on public lands.

yet ANOTHER Email sent... to previous people and the guy who wrote this press release.

Keep writing people!

[SixZeroSixOne]

Originally Posted by Sharon

yet ANOTHER Email sent... to previous people and the guy who wrote this press release.

Keep writing people!

+1

[Hepcat]

I've made at least one mountain biking trip a year, and Washington was high on my list of places to go. Bellingham has just been crossed off that list. The last thing I need while I'm out playing tourist and enjoying the forest is to get hassled by law enforcement. How lost up their own asses can these people be??

[upandover]

SAD, sooo sad, I've alaways said that certain people or groups always go after the easy prey and seem to forget about the bigger "fish". It's easier to take down the "small ones", sorry to hear, fight for it !!!

[King of Fasia]

Rode the North Fork once, was invited by a buddy. Spent the first half of the day maintaining Racehorse as we went down on a trail day. Was blown away by the quality of the trails and the crew that came out to maintain it. Such a great vibe. Got a chance to ride once the digging was over and was blown away again. Sorry to hear about the current situation and hopefully the letters don't fall on deaf ears.

[Gary Harder]

Thad, I tip my hat to you ,that bridge looked awesome.
I will remember the layout as I always seem to be building bigger bridge's for problem area's.
If your around Abbotsford , feel free to PM me and I can show you around some of our stuff.
Ever feel the need to make up something big like that again ,next fall another round of building is coming up and you are welcome to join us.
G

[Olddudeonbike]

While I commend the political activism and will do my part, I can't help but wonder.., is there not a potential for a "User group lease"? For everyone that posts there many others that would join, and cough up the bucks.., me for sure! Don't even get me started on what I pay in taxes on my >3000 hour work year! ...and this is what I get from my Gov't? Money talks. "YOU PLAY, YOU PAY" So let's buy the right to ride! Enough with the whining, it's time to play like adults! Let's organize: Whatcom Mountain Bike Community Union (WMBCU)! I don't even care how Socialist that sounds!

[pipeline]

Originally Posted by Olddudeonbike

While I commend the political activism and will do my part, I can't help but wonder.., is there not a potential for a "User group lease"? For everyone that posts there many others that would join, and cough up the bucks.., me for sure! Don't even get me started on what I pay in taxes on my >3000 hour work year! ...and this is what I get from my Gov't? Money talks. "YOU PLAY, YOU PAY" So let's buy the right to ride! Enough with the whining, it's time to play like adults! Let's organize: Whatcom Mountain Bike Community Union (WMBCU)! I don't even care how Socialist that sounds!

Not an unheard of concept. Similar to conservation and environmental groups buying land to protect it

[thad]

That is completely the wrong precedent. The public should not pay to recreate on public land. We already own it.

Final NoFo celebration was such a good time, despite the absolute crap weather. Community really came together, from all over WA and B.C., sharing stories about good times in the woods.
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/north-f...ures-2012.html


My buddy Seth, unabashed Teletubby, edited this vid from all his gopro footy from over the years. Seb Kemp might not approve, but I do/