Teanaway Community Forest

HELP RECOVER LOST MOTORIZED TRAILS

Attend Advisory Committee Meetings

Even though the DNR has banned motorized trail riding in the TCF during the interim planning phases, long term planning for the TCF continues. The NMA and WOHVA urge all pro-motorized recreational users to take action and attend committee meetings when possible. Meeting schedules are posted on DNR’s TCF portal.

“…Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee believes that all recreational uses must be accommodated…” December 11, 2014

Why should motorized trail riding be allowed?

Not only was there a long history of safe and responsible motorized recreation, the TCF is now state trust land and as such, DNR must provide for multiple uses to the public where it is in the best interest of the state and general welfare of the citizens thereof (RCW 79.10.100). One of those uses includes motorized recreation under RCW 79.10.120.

RIDING IN THE TEANAWAY AREA

Teanaway Community Forest trails are closed to motorized use. This is the area the ORV community needs to rally strongly for to open up for official use. Gravel roads are open to plated ORVs. There is no riding behind closed gates. This area should not be confused with the USFS trails in the area: West Fork, Middle Fork and Yellow Hill access trails are open and can be linked together via access road at base. DNR and WDFW are known to patrol and issue tickets to violators. Note that seasonal closures may be in effect during winter months. Check for alerts on the Washington Riding Areas page.

LONG TERM PLANNING CONTINUES WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Additional funding was passed by the legislature in the 2016 session to resume the functions of the Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee. This additional funding will allow the committee to complete the recreation plan, which will determine whether or not motorized use will be allowed in the Community Forest. The recreation plan must be compatible with water, wildlife, and other recreational uses in the forest.

TCF Advisory Committee Meetings are held regularly. Pro-motorized recreational users are encouraged to learn how to support the re-opening of motorized recreation and attend the committee meetings when possible. Contact the NMA to find out how you can help.

Until the recreation plan is complete, the status quo is still in effect: no summer motorized use in the Teanaway Community Forest. Access to the USFS trails on the west end of the TCF are not closed to summer motorized use. Middle Fork, West Fork and Yellow Hill trails are not part of TCF; these are USFS trails. They typically close during the winter months and open June 15th, unless the USFS opens them earlier.

IMPORTANT SURVEY OPPORTUNITIES IMPACTING THE TCF

DNR’s Teanaway recreation survey results have been published. There were 2,600 people who participated. A small group of offroad motorcyclists participated in the survey. More were needed, and given there have been over 100,000 registered ORVs in Washington, we can continue to grow in our engagement. Did you participate?

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