Squak Mountain timber plan concerns conservationists, neighbors
February 8, 2013
NEW — 12:05 p.m. Feb. 8, 2013
High on Squak Mountain, pink plastic strips tied to trees mark 216 acres of forest as a timber harvest area.
Since a timber company purchased the forest and started the process to permit logging on the site, conservationists and nearby residents mobilized to fight the proposal to clear cut the land. The logging opponents said cutting trees on the land could lead to more flooding downhill, damage sensitive fish and wildlife habitat, and add a timber harvest site near conservation lands.
The proposal from Eatonville-based Erickson Logging to harvest timber on 216 acres on the mountainside above Renton-Issaquah Road Southeast galvanized residents on Squak Mountain and near May Creek, a destination for runoff from the mountain.
Tiger Mountain State Forest is closed to Christmas tree cutting
November 27, 2012
Forget about cutting a fresh Christmas tree or pine boughs in Tiger Mountain State Forest or on other state lands.
The state Department of Natural Resources does not sell holiday greenery from state trust lands; agency officials limit timber harvests and foraging. The agency manages the public lands, and under state law, timber harvests must benefit public schools, universities and other state institutions.
State adds flexible start date to Discover Pass
November 23, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Nov. 23, 2012
State agencies encourage holiday shoppers to consider a Discover Pass as a gift for family and friends interested in the outdoors.
Officials added a feature recently to allow purchasers to choose the pass’ start date. The option is available to customers who purchasing the pass at www.discoverpass.wa.gov, or in person from authorized retailers through the Washington Interactive Licensing Database, or WILD, system.
The pass is available in Issaquah at Big 5 Sporting Goods, Fred Meyer and Sports Authority.
The buyer can activate the pass immediately or on any day within one year of purchase.
State legislators passed the option into law in 2012 to allow greater flexibility to outdoor recreation enthusiasts, including people interested in giving the pass as a gift.
Tiger Mountain trail development is recommended for state grant
November 20, 2012
The state Recreation Conservation Office recommended Tiger Mountain trail development — and more than 100 projects statewide — as priority projects for grants, proponents announced last month.
Funding for the Tiger Mountain trails and other projects hinges on dollars for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, a program established to conserve land and waterways.
If the $320,000 grant for Tiger Mountain is funded, the state Department of Natural Resources can develop two trails or about five miles overall in east Tiger Mountain State Forest. The project requires a $137,200 match from the Department of Natural Resources.
Parks waive fees for all on Veterans Day weekend
November 6, 2012
Residents can explore the outdoors for free as state and national parks waive entrance fees for Veterans Day weekend, Nov. 10-12.
Lake Sammamish, Squak Mountain and other state parks do not require a Discover Pass during the holiday weekend. The waiver also applies to lands run by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the state Department of Natural Resources, including Tiger Mountain State Forest.
The fee waiver encompasses all 398 national parks — including Washington’s Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic national parks.
Tiger Mountain trail development is recommended for state grant
November 1, 2012
NEW — 10 a.m. Nov. 1, 2012
The state Recreation Conservation Office recommended Tiger Mountain trail development — and more than 100 projects statewide — as priority projects for grants.
Funding for the Tiger Mountain trails and other projects hinges on dollars for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, a program established to conserve land and waterways.
If the $320,000 grant for Tiger Mountain is funded, the state Department of Natural Resources can develop two trails or about five miles overall in east Tiger Mountain State Forest. The project requires a $137,200 match from the Department of Natural Resources.
Leaders at the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, a nonprofit group set up to support the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, praised the project list.
Tiger Mountain is test for commissioner of public lands candidates
October 30, 2012
Tiger Mountain is a destination for hikers, mountain bikers and loggers, and the official responsible for acting as a referee to balance the competing interests is the state commissioner of public lands.
Clint Didier
Peter Goldmark
Republican Clint Didier is challenging the incumbent, Democrat Peter Goldmark, to serve as the top natural resources official in Washington.
The commissioner of public lands leads the state Department of Natural Resources, and oversees about 3 million acres of forests, agricultural land and other properties, as well as about 2.6 million acres of shorelines, tidelands, lakes and rivers.
The position carries outsized influence in the Issaquah area. The agency is often a factor in local policymaking, due to the connections among the Department of Natural Resources, Issaquah City Hall and outdoor recreation groups.
Summertime burn bans expire as dry spell ends
October 23, 2012
State, King County and Eastside Fire & Rescue officials ended burn bans in recent days, as the wildfire risk declined after a long dry spell.
The state Department of Natural Resources ended a burn ban on agency-protected lands at midnight Oct. 15. The next day, the King County fire marshal lifted a burn ban for unincorporated King County.
EFR kept a burn ban in place until Oct. 20 for Issaquah and communities served by the agency.
State, King County burn bans expire after long dry spell
October 18, 2012
NEW — 10 a.m. Oct. 18, 2012
State and King County fire officials ended burn bans in recent days, as the wildfire risk declined after a long dry spell.
The state Department of Natural Resources ended a burn ban on agency-protected lands at midnight Monday. The next day, the King County fire marshal lifted a burn ban for unincorporated King County.
Eastside Fire & Rescue is keeping a burn ban in place through Oct. 20 for Issaquah and communities served by the agency.
The state ban on outdoor burning applied to all Department of Natural Resources-protected public, private and tribal lands, including Tiger Mountain State Forest near Issaquah.
Statewide burn ban expires at midnight as fire risk falls
October 15, 2012
NEW — 2 p.m. Oct. 15, 2012
The state Department of Natural Resources said the statewide burn ban on agency-protected lands is poised to expire at midnight Monday as the wildfire risk declines.
“My thanks to the public for their help and restraint during a difficult and prolonged fire season,” state Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark said in a statement. “The summer’s fires could have been a worse, but the public did everything they could to prevent wildfires.”
The ban on outdoor burning applied to all Department of Natural Resources-protected public, private and tribal lands, including Tiger Mountain State Forest near Issaquah.
Lifting the statewide burn ban does not prevent authorities from putting in place burn restrictions at the local level.
