Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge)   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, June 20, 2009 State begins divvying up Reiter Foothills among riders, hikers Hundreds of acres in the Reiter Foothills are now closed to off-roaders. By Debra Smith Herald Writer GOLD BAR -- Heads up off-road riders. Hundreds of acres in the Reiter Foothills area are now closed to motorized vehicles. All trails north of May Creek and south of the Deer Creek crossings are closed. Trails in a small area north and west of Hogarty Creek also will be closed July 15. The Department of Natural Resources is in the final stages of bringing some order to the 10,000-acre forest known as Reiter Foothills. Outdoor enthusiasts come from near and far to use thousands of forested acres stretching from Sultan to Index. Officials plan to separate Reiter into areas for motorized vehicles, horses, mountain bikes and hikers. They also want to establish designated trails and eventually build restrooms, trail heads and campgrounds. The trail closures are an interim measure meant to reduce the loss of fish habitat and to protect water quality downstream, said David Way, a recreation manager for Reiter. The closed land includes two popular trail routes. DNR anticipates some riders won't be happy, even though the agency is working closely with off-road vehicle groups, Way said. "People are concerned their riding area is getting squeezed down," Way said. "We've got to start phasing in what it's going to be like." The changes, however, aren't necessarily permanent. The DNR's plan still has to be reviewed by the public. "Now it's time to manage our landscape and be good stewards of the land," Way said. Closed trails should be marked with signs. Those who ignore the signs risk a ticket. Off-road riding will still be allowed in other areas, specifically places that are being considered as potential riding areas under the recreation plan for Reiter due out this summer. Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Boeing 787 Dreamliner lifts its nose at Paine Field; flight set for Tuesday 2. Arlington assault leaves man critically injured 3. Recession hard on Snohomish County eateries 4. Up to 3 inches of snow expected in some parts of Western Washington 5. Washington could see new taxes in a host of areas 6. I'll see you in Hell's Kitchen 7. Biz week 8. Veteran, teacher, painter — and now, Mukilteo man is an author 9. Gov. Gregoire knows her budget is doomed 10. See the holiday light spectacle at Warm Beach 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Zambian woman thanks students for their help • Food banks see rise in use • ‘Making Spirits Bright’ in Edmonds • Wolfpack takes aim at state • Seahawks help students smile • 95 and still volunteering • Sno-King joined by local TV king • Veterans back for Wildcats • Lynnwood seeks to plug $2 million budget gap • Snohomish County offers the best and most affordable venues for conferen ... • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed