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New Advisory Committee members appointed
The departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) have appointed five new members to the Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee to help the agencies implement the recently created forest management plan. The 20-member volunteer committee will next meet on Sept. 17.
Advisory Committee members represent the interests of local property owners, ranchers, environmental groups, and recreationists including hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and off-road vehicle users. The committee represents a crucial connection to the wide range of stakeholders interested in the Teanaway Community Forest.
Welcome to these new members as they begin their 3-year terms:
- Scott Gray, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
- Lara Gricar, The Nature Conservancy
- Kathy Young, Back Country Horsemen of Washington
- John Littel, Kittitas County resident
- Andrew Cromarty, local landowner
The committee retains 15 of its original members, who will fulfill two more years of service. View the updated full list of members online.
We also thank our outgoing members for their valuable time and service: Brian Crowley, Gregg Bafundo, Jason Ridlon, Mark Charlton, and Reagan Dunn.
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Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark and Fish and Wildlife Director Jim Unsworth thanked Advisory Committee members for their valued participation after signing the new Teanaway Community Forest Management Plan in Cle Elum. View the plan online at www.dnr.wa.gov/Teanaway.
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Budget update
Due to a reduced budget appropriation provided by the legislature for the 2015-17 biennium, the DNR and WDFW are currently working to determine our capacity for implementing the recently completed Teanaway Community Forest Management Plan.
The agencies asked for approximately $2 million to fund staff time to meet the priorities laid out in the plan. The state provided us with less than 15 percent of our request, and placed restrictions on how the agencies could use the funds. As a result, we will not be able to undertake some high priority actions, such as recreation planning, this fiscal year. In addition, basic activities such as outreach, project planning and review, environmental monitoring, and coordination between partners will be limited. Our day-to-day efforts will be focused on managing health and safety issues.
Advisory Committee meetings will continue, but on a limited basis. As noted above, the first meeting will be in September. In addition, we're exploring ways to continue supporting the most critical restoration work that our partners are working on.
Both agencies remain absolutely committed to fulfilling this effort and to persistently advocating for the resources needed to manage this beloved landscape. We're counting on your continued passion, engagement, commitment, and support.
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Thank you, volunteers!
A trail improvement party on Saturday, July 18, brought together 10 volunteers to remove brush and improve drainage on a popular trail south of Teanaway Campground. Thanks for the great work.
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