Plans for Reiter Foothills upset off-road users

MONROE — State officials could be in for a bumpy ride as they try to sell the off-road community on a plan to redevelop Reiter Foothills.

Officials want to win public support for the plan, but they are braced for some resistance during a public meeting in Monroe tonight.

“People will tend to be skeptical of government to begin with,” said Mark Mauren, an assistant division manager with the Department of Natural Resources. “They’re fearful of losing opportunities.”

Granted, riders can point to some clear losses in the future. As part of the new plan, the state will shut down Reiter Foothills on Nov. 2. Officials will use the full closure to rework the trails on a smaller piece of land.

Some in the off-roading community already are crying foul, including Ed Husmann, who was appointed by Sultan to attend meetings on the proposed action.

“I think the Legislature truly felt that they wanted to expand the use of DNR lands, and I don’t think DNR wants to do that,” he said. “At least that’s not what’s happening here.”

Reiter Foothills covers a large block of often steep land north of Gold Bar and Index. Riders created the loose-knit trail system for their dirt bikes and four-wheelers during the past 35 years or so.

Those trails have the state concerned. Some shoot across salmon-bearing streams, officials said. Others wipe out vegetation along 150-foot swaths along creeks instead of shooting across at one point.

“You had a thousand people with different colors of paint trying to paint a picture there,” Mauren said. “It’s a mess.”

The state identified about 2,000 acres that they say are flat enough for use and don’t threaten wildlife. Off-road vehicle users will get about half, while the other half will be reserved for hiking and other recreation.

Historically unfettered access makes it hard to estimate the amount of acres currently in use, but all agree the plan will reduce access.

That has some off-road riders concerned. For instance, members of the Gold Bar Nature Trails Community Club, a nonprofit club, fault the plan, which will close trails that lead from the club’s property.

“We believe that putting Gold Bar Nature Trails ORV (off-road vehicle) access at risk is not in the best interest of our local communities,” the club wrote in a letter to Peter Goldmark, manager of the Department of Natural Resources.

Mauren said the club has unfair access from private property to public land, however.

“Their property values go up because they have direct access,” he said.

The final layout of the trails is still under design. The state intends on initially using $140,000 for building trails and bridges.

More could be done in the future, with anywhere from $8 million to $12 million needed to fully develop the land.

“That’s both the motorized and nonmotorized side,” Mauren said. “It could be less, it could be more.”

Assuming work can be completed this winter, the land could reopen to the public this spring or summer. Until then, locals such as K.C. Letterman are preparing for a change.

Letterman rides her horses at the site a couple times a week. She suspects the temporary closure won’t be popular, even though it falls during the wettest, darkest months of the year.

“That’s going to make an impact on a lot of people around here, even for that short time,” she said.

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.

Hear it firsthand

The Department of Natural Resources will discuss the plan for Reiter Foothills from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at the Park Place Middle School Commons, 1408 W. Main St., Monroe.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.