Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126513
J .... ... ~ 0.. < • • , • • • I • 11'" - • '! , ., I ashingtonState builds new trails for dirt riders By Jim LeBe., Some years back Washington dirt bikers lobbied an excellent ORV law through the state legislature. Now, after a modest beginning the years of hard work are starting to pay some welcome dividends. On Nov. 18, 1980 the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation allocated $2,141,807 of state ORV funds to a variety of projects slated for de· velopment in 1981. Overall, the funds, which come from the pockets of ORV .recreationists, will provide dinct benefits to those who pay the bill. A lot of credit for making sure our bucks are well spent hal to go to the ORV adviJory committee that recommends whether proposed projects should be funded or dropped_ When the ORV law was amended. rider activists made sure that all voting members of the adviJory committee would be ORV recreatiomats. The more interesting projects include: Additional development at Thurston County ORV sports park: $289.680. This is the first park in the program to have a formal racing program. The facility gets a lot of use by both dirt bike and four wheel drive enthusiasts. Even 10 the development costs have been high and riders ought to keep an eye on expenditures. Operation and rider education costs will run an additional $167,971 for 1981-82 - not cheapl The access road to Yakima County's new Sun Target ORV Park will run $79.&00 plus $120.000 of old ATV funds. Off-road riders fought a long, hard uphill battle for this much needed place to ride. Considering the calibre of involved riders and countypeople the odds are that this park is going to tum out first class. GIve it a try. Grand opening will be in the summerofl981. Evans Creek ORV area was approved for development by Snoqualmie-Mt. Baker National Forest at $487,000. The project will create a managed motorcycle and four-wheel drive recreation use area which will include a campground, 40 miles of trail and a vehicle parking and staging area. Another hard won but much needed area. This park is located in the heavy use area of western Washington. For the mountain trail rider the Wenatchee National Forest projects are in a class by themselves., Considering the quality it's small wonder that the Cascade Motorcycle Club is presenting the Wenatchee with a plaque recognizing their "outstanding ORV recreation program." 1981 projects include: the Miller-Blewett system, an excellent but short trail complex near Blewett Pass ($136,&40); Manastash Ridge trail which is the backbone of the Naches-Taneum systems will receive $6000 in improvements; ~ Creek trail will benefit from $1000 worth of work to bypass steep switchbacks; planning and cotlltruction on Pot Peak and Chesapeake Saddle ($272.254); development of a trail plan for the Sawtooth area ($10.8&0); development of a trail plan for the Lake Creek Basin ($22.200); development of plans for four-wheel drive trails on the Entiat and Levenworth districts ($4,160). Take a look at the complete list of 1981 ORV projects and see how many you have ~nally helped to get on the ground by your phone calls, letters, attendance at meetings. etc. It's past time for aU of us to get involved - the program can't survive if 10 many riders continue to be freeloaders. Already greedy hikers are said to be casting covetous glances at our money. For a start you can pick up an application at your local dealers and join the Northwest Motorcycle Association trail division. These folks have worked their tails off securing our right to a decent place to ride. Membership is three bucks per individual or five for the family. Yau'U never fmd a better bargain!. Taking a close look at the expenditures it seems like riders are going to have to work at getting more of the funds into development. The biggest need we have is for more facilities; the icing can come laterl If you live in the state of Waahington and you don't have the places to ride that you would like, tben give some consideration to the state program. Money is available to state. federal and local agencies. It can be used to buy or lease land and to plan construct and operate facilities. It's up to riders to convince the local bureaucrats to apply for the dollars and it usuaUy involves some hassles. The bottom line is that if you want a "Sun Target" in your county you can get it - but you have to get involved. As they say. you reap what you sowl •