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.
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