On April 2, 2012, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) closed the popular mountain bike trails at the North Fork.  Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC) and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA) negotiations with the DNR to re-open the trails at the North Fork have come to an impasse, after a year,  with our local legislators’ unanimous support, and many meetings.  The DNR stated that they won’t support any short-term re-opening of trails and are strictly moving towards a Long-Term Planning Process to address recreational needs in Whatcom County. This decision comes despite no time-frame or available funding of a large recreational plan and goes against the will of a community and it’s supporters. We need your voice to be heard in support of a low cost, volunteer powered solution to today’s recreation needs at the North Fork.

 

What can you do?

Please write to the DNR representatives below and your local legislator to seek their support for both an interim solution to reopen the North Fork trails and the funding for the the DNR’s Long-Term Planning Process for all user groups in Whatcom County.   Be brief and respectful, but resolute in your support for the trails at the North Fork.

 

SAVE THE DATE

Join us Sunday, 4/21 for the North Fork Volunteer Day to help us clean up trash at the North Fork  at 10 AM,  and Barbecue at 2PM.   Stay tuned for more details!

 

Please send a copy of your letter to admin@whimpsmtb.org  for our archive, thanks!

DNR contacts:

cpl@dnr.wa.gov  Peter Goldmark, Washington Commissioner of Public Lands.

lenny.young@dnr.wa.gov   Lenny Young, Department Supervisor

kyle.blum@dnr.wa.gov   Kyle Blum Deputy Supervisor for State Uplands

chris.hanlon-meyer@dnr.wa.gov Chris Hanlon Meyer (acting) Northwest Regional Manager

laurie.bergvall@dnr.wa.gov  Laurie Bergvall – NW Assistant Regional Manager

 

State Legislature:

If you’re unsure of your legislators, you can find them here:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

It is easiest to find your Senator and Representatives contact info using you voter district number and CTRL=F on this excel spreadsheet.

http://www.leg.wa.gov/LIC/Documents/Rosters/Senate_House_Member_Information.pdf

 

Whatcom County residents of the 40th district:

kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov

kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov

jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov

 

Whatcom, Island and Skagit County residents of the 42nd district:

doug.ericksen@leg.wa.gov

vincent.buys@leg.wa.gov

jason.overstreet@leg.wa.gov

WHY IS THE NORTH FORK SO IMPORTANT TO US?

Check out this video that tells the story of why our community needs the North Fork riding area to be open and what makes it special to us.