Teanaway Community Forest - header

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. 
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.

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.
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.
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Website
Website
Visit the new Teanaway Community Forest Webpage for recreation updates and other information.
Next Advisory Committee Meeting

4-6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015
Swauk-Teanaway Grange
1361 Ballard Rd. W. 
Cle Elum, WA 98922

The public is always welcome to attend Advisory Committee meetings. 

Educating the public about Discover Pass requirement
 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, forest visitors will be required to display a Discover Pass in their vehicles. The agencies have placed signs in the Teanaway Community Forest to provide visitors with advance notice.

Discover Pass funding provides support for recreation activities in the Teanaway, such as campground maintenance.  

Firewise your home


As always, homeowners living near forestlands are encouraged to Firewise their property. Click here for resources to help. 

Protecting Teanaway fish


The Teanaway River has been closed to fishing to help protect fish during drought conditions. 

Also remember that illegal rock dams keep fish from swimming upstream to cooler water and spawning grounds. Report rock dams in the Teanaway Community Forest, or elsewhere, to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Call 1-877-933-9847 or email WILDCOMM@dfw.wa.gov

Please be able to provide: 
  • Dam location
  • Dam description
  • Date and time
  • Contact information

Burn ban continues - campfires not allowed


A burn ban that includes the Teanaway Community Forest is expected to continue through September. This means no campfires or open flames.  
Take 90 seconds to watch DNR's YouTube video and learn more about how to reduce your chances of accidentally starting a wildfire while recreating. 
Copyright © 2015 Washington Department of Natural Resources, All rights reserved.

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences