If you live in the greater Pacific Northwest, you know that Stevens Pass Ski Area is planning to open a bike park in 2010. What you probably don’t know is what is the scope of the Master Development Plan or at what stage the whole process is at. There were several parties represented at the meeting held in Everett on Wednesday night. Stevens Pass was well represented, the mountain bike community had less than one would have expected, and then there was representation from the other user and advocate groups like the Mountaineers and the Sierra Club. The US Forest Service is conducting an environmental analysis as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for all proposed projects in the Stevens Pass MDP. The most pressing issue is to get feedback for the Scoping letter by July 3rd. Continue reading ‘Stevens Pass Bike Park: Update’
Tag Archive for 'Land Advocacy'
Last week, I opened an email to learn that the Washington State DNR (Department of Natural Resources) would be having a public hearing that evening to educate trail users about new rules in the WAC . Rumor had it that access to virtually all DNR lands would be prohibited and unsanctioned trail work would be considered criminal. The reality was not as daunting — yet there were many doubts from speakers about whether vague wording in the new rules would protect their rights to use public land — or eliminate those rights.
Among the mountain bikers who showed up were Matt Patterson and Graham Barry and several others from Dirt Corps; Justin Vander Pol from BBTC; my husband; and myself. Continue reading ‘Save Our Trails — A Conversation with the DNR’
Seattle’s Pro Parks Levy was just the first income source that helped the Colonnade concept become a reality. The levy, approved by Seattle voters in November 2000, freed up $198.2 million for more than a hundred projects and programs, including $1.8 million for the project officially named I-5 Colonnade.
Other funding came from REI, Starbucks, Vulcan, Bikes Belong, King County (for a Youth Sports Facilities Grant) and the City of Seattle, as well as private donors.
Continue reading ‘Colonnade — The Money’
Simon Lawton — professional downhiller and founder of first Downhill Northwest and now Fluidride — moved to Seattle in 1996. Two years later, he met Chris Leman from the Eastlake Community Council, who had seen Simon loading his bike for races, etc. Turns out both had envisioned mountain bike trails in the area below I-5 — and Chris had connections in city government from his work on the Council.
Suddenly, Simon found himself going to meetings with everyone imaginable — bike commuters, community councils, anyone who might work with him to create the Colonnade. Continue reading ‘Colonnade — The Concept’
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