ORV users are who demanded clean-up

I applaud the Snohomish County Council for its decision to give park designation for Reiter Trails north of U.S. 2 in Gold Bar. The fact that the area has been an unofficial user developed and maintained ORV area for the past 40-plus years is well known.

The Jan. 27 letter, “Council decision on forests appalling,” by a Pilchuck Audubon Society member is completely unfounded. Without ORV users demanding and providing the respect it deserves, this area would be riddled with illegally dumped trash. You would see burned-out, abandoned vehicles that were stolen and left behind by the people that took them for a joy ride. Underage drinking would probably be the most prevalent activity. A sanctioned and managed park will be the best thing that could ever happen to this area. Environmental activist groups need to put aside their self-defined utopian visions and realize this.

ORV users are primarily family oriented groups that treasure their right and privilege to go out and enjoy the environment in a motorized fashion. The claimed environmental impact caused by responsible ORV use is to say the least very exaggerated. Most ORVs must meet the same standards for exhaust and noise emissions that daily commuters do. Any erosion or damage to plant life is miniscule and can be compared to that of any hiker-only trail. This land is zoned for commercial forestry, an accepted and welcome form of generating revenue from the state’s natural resources. To say that ORV use jeopardizes this zoning or in any way has more impact to the environment than commercial forestry is absolutely preposterous. The ORV community is dedicated to educating their users on the proper use of these areas, therefore maintaining our rights and privileges to use these areas for generations to come.

Don Larson

Brier

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