RECREATION PLANNING IN A WORKING FOREST
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), recreation users, and citizens are working together to develop a plan for future recreation needs in Reiter Foothills.
Update: November 10, 2009 | DNR releases draft recreation plan for Reiter Foothills Forest
DNR would like to hear from you about the findings and recommendations in the draft Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan. In conjunction with the public review of the plan, DNR is also conducting an official State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process. The public comment period runs from November 10 through December 4.
>> Learn more about the November 18 meeting.
Because the following maps may be difficult to read in the draft plan above, they are linked below as separate files:
The following links were presentations provided to the Reiter Planning Committee. They provide further background for your information:
In addition, you can find more information and background about the Reiter Foothills Forest planning process further down this page.
You can provide all written comments about the Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan or the SEPA environmental analysis to:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
SEPA Center
PO Box 47105
Olympia, WA 98504
sepacenter@dnr.wa.gov
A link to the SEPA Review information for the Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan will be available on the SEPA plans page beginning November 10, 2009.
NOTE: DNR has temporily closed Reiter Foothills Forest to everything but foot traffic. Trail construction and restoration underway. Area will re-open as soon as possible in 2010.
>> News release about temporary closure
>> Fact Sheet about temporary closure
Where is Reiter Foothills?
The 10,000-acre Reiter Foothills State Forest is a continuous block of forest land located in Snohomish County 30 miles east of Everett between Gold Bar and Index. The state forest is sandwiched between Highway 2 and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Why the focus on recreation planning in Reiter?
Thousands of visitors annually use the trails and facilities in Reiter to enjoy off-road vehicle riding, horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. The southern portion, in particular, has become increasingly popular for ATV, motorcycle, and 4x4 use.
Reiter’s popularity has led to overuse, with a great deal of environmental damage occurring in stream and streamside habitats. DNR, the Departments of Ecology and Fish and Wildlife, and the Tulalip Tribes have jointly identified some interim measures to protect the area against further damage. But the area has a pressing need for well-planned recreation facilities and trails.
The planning process
Since April 2008, a 15-member advisory committee of motorized and non-motorized recreation users, local citizens, surrounding property managers, and city and county representatives have been working collaboratively to create a long-term plan for recreation in Reiter Foothills. The group meets regularly to learn more about the recreational needs in the area and to determine how best to provide for different types of recreational uses.
What is the timeline for recreation planning in Reiter?
January 2008 — Planning process initiated
April 2008 — Advisory committee begins meeting
Fall 2009 — Public workshops, SEPA process
Fall/Winter 2009 — Final Reiter Foothills plan available
For more information about the Reiter Foothills planning process, download any of the following files: