November 9, 2009 Yakima Herald Article

November 9, 2009 by Scott Sandsberry

Filed under All, Outdoors

YAKIMA, Wash. — Faced with the possibility of the Department of Natural Resources closing its five Sno-Parks this winter over lack of the money to provide “oversight” and minimize vandalism, the Yakima Ski Benders and other snowmobile enthusiasts responded.
The group’s fundraising campaign raised enough money to offset the DNR’s $25,000 budgetary shortfall in such short order this autumn that, last week, the DNR announced that those five Sno-Parks (Ahtanum Meadows, Ahtanum Guard Station, Rattlesnake, Manashtash and Lily Lake near Wenatchee) would be open.
“As with anything new and unsettling, it certainly was frustrating at the beginning, but we pulled up our bootstraps and made it happen,” said Carl Denton, the Ski Benders’ first-year president. “Everybody was understanding of the situation — there was nothing else we could do, otherwise we wouldn’t have a place to park.”
It was a moment for the snowmobile community to breathe deeply, pat itself on the back and celebrate that their season — at least at those popular local areas — would not be erased.
The sobering side to this celebratory feeling, though, is that the issue is likely to arise again next year.
This winter is the first of the state’s two-year budget biennial budget process, and that means next year will have the same $25,000 shortfall resulting from the DNR’s recreation budget being slashed from $1.2 million per biennium to $440,000.
“Next year we’ll be in the same boat, pretty much,” said Mike Williams, recreation manager for the DNR’s Ellensburg-based southeast region. “We’re looking at other avenues for funding, but not having a lot of success yet. We’ll be pursuing grants, and we’re just not sure what’s out there yet.”
Williams said that, should the agency have to come with its hands out to the snowmobile community once more, “Hopefully some of the other clubs will pony up more money rather than have the Ski Benders having to carry so much of the load.”
The Ski Benders spearheaded this autumn’s fundraising campaign that has already generated more than $25,000 in pledges, with $21,900 of that already collected in cash. The club presented a $10,000 check last week to the DNR as the first installment, guaranteeing that the Sno-Parks would be open for the start of the state’s grooming season.
The snowmobilers have what amounts to an ally in their campaign for continued trail funding — the four-wheelers and motorcyclists who use the trails in the non-snow months.
Last spring, state legislators passed House Bill 1244, which swept $9.56 million into the general fund from the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) Fund. State officials said the move was necessary to prevent the closure of as many as 40 state parks, but it left NOVA with no operating funds for the biennium — money that is typically issued in grants by the state’s Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) to public and private entities for trail-maintenance and improvement projects.
Because NOVA money is derived from off-road vehicle license tab fees and recreationists’ portion of gas-tax funds, trail-use groups were up in arms. Dave Walters, land-use coordinator for a Tri-Cities-based off-road group called the Peak Putters, called the legislators’ move “an illegal taking” of the NOVA money.
Last week, the Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance and the Northwest Motorcycle Association joined forces to file a lawsuit against the state to block the transfer of NOVA funds to Washington State Parks.
Should that suit be successful and NOVA money be returned, the DNR would be one of the numerous groups lining up to apply for grants through the RCO.
“Hopefully the NOVA funds will come back and we’ll be able to apply for grants that way,” Williams said, adding that obtaining money would still be difficult. “We saw a ahuge jump in the number of grant proposals to the RCO this year.”

"Got Snow"

Well well it looks like we finally got snow! As i woke up this morning to read the newspaper I see Chinook Pass is closed because of 2 foot of new snow. I'm certain DOT will get it open again for the short term or at least until we have complete access from our direction, but as usual will close for the winter later in the season.
Actually with all the comotion we have been involved with regarding DNR and the snow show and club activities readying for the crab feed and poker run i've almost forgotten that I have snowmobiles! What a pressure release it will be to actually get on one and ride it.
Now for a few updates.
I've posted on my blog's the simple details regarding our donation requirements to DNR and hope everyone can see that they have been good to there word. Although we have have all agreed this is not the road we want to go down on an annual basis, it is however what we are stuck with for this bienium. The Skibenders has agreed to support DNR with the 25K donation this season. We are however still short funds to complete the agreement, but have commitments to fulfill it, I'm certain we'll be on track by the end of November. I don't think we should let up on our collection efforts with the fact we may need to help into the following season to complete the bienium funding shortfall. I have directed our treasurer to open a seperate account for any carry over from this initial 2009/2010 fund @ $25 K and name it Ahtanum fund 2010/2011, in order to maintain a good record keeping status. During our conversations with DNR they are also looking into other avenues for grant money and ways to fund the following year, i'll be working closely with them to help keep everyone informed.
I will be riding with Mike Williams and Donn Rasmussen Tuesday the 10th to Wenatchee to visit with Apple Country Snowmobile club for there monthly meeting. The reason for this visit will be to inform them were we are at and try to make a plan for the future. Any one interested in coming along please let me know. Apple Country Snowmobile club mainly uses the Lily Lake Snow Park in that area and also holds the grooming contract as well.  Just to let you know they have donated considerably to our fund.
While i'm there as a gesture of good will and common bond i will be signing up as a member of there club and hopefully they will reciprocate. There President has expressed sincere interest in scheduling some ride time with us in our areas as well as I certainly would enjoy riding in there areas to see what they have.
By the way, anyone that is interested in seeing an accounting of donations please feel free to ask. We will set up an appointment to do so. At this time we do not feel we should publish names and amounts as some people have asked us not to do so due to the extreme amount donated.
One other item before I go. DNR and WSFS has asked the Yakima Ski Benders to participated in a program called "Forest Watch-Eyes and ears of the Forest". Currently we have 10 volunteers signed up to participate for this program. We will be attending two 3 hour training sessions starting Monday November 16th and ending on November17th. This training includes, safe riding, first aid, documentation, conflict solutions, law enforcement communications and many other responsibilites. All hours involved during this program will be used as volunteer hours the same as our trail cleanup.
We'll see everyone at the Crab Feed!

Article from Word Press- WA State Ear to the Ground 10-30-09

Snowmobilers help rescue winter recreation


By Ear to the Ground
Members of the Yakima Ski Benders meet with DNR staff to sign an agreement for winter recreation services. From left to right: Ronna Younie, Yakima Ski Benders (YSB); Mike Van Amburg, YSB; Devon Dekker, YSB vice-president; Carl Denton, YSB president; Robert Dengel, DNR; Mike Williams, DNR; and Paul Younie, YSB. Photo: Liz Van Amburg/YSB
Things were looking pretty bleak for snowmobilers who love to ride the dry winter powder on state trust lands near Yakima and Ellensburg.
Due to budget cuts earlier this year by the Legislature, DNR was planning to suspend its winter recreation program at five snow parks this season. Concerned about the possibility of not having access to their favorite winter recreation sites , the snowmobiling community decided to get proactive.
In a short few weeks, members of the Yakima Ski Benders collected the $25,000 necessary to keep the program alive.
Earlier today, members of the Ski Benders handed over a first-installment check of $10,000 to Mike Williams, DNR’s recreation program manager for the Southeast Region.
Carl Denton, president of the Yakima Ski Benders, said that nearly 120 people and businesses donated enough money to fund DNR’s management of the winter recreation program. Average donations were about $100, with some individuals and businesses contributing $1,000 or more.
All parties—snowmobilers and DNR staff—agree that resorting to collecting donations was not the ideal way to resolve the issue. But the effort demonstrates how a group of determined citizens worked together with DNR staff to find a short-term solution.
“We’re hoping we don’t have to this every year or biennium,” Denton says.
Instead, Denton and his group will be looking at new ways to fund winter recreation.
“I’m glad we could work together to get through this challenging time,” added Mike Williams, recreation program manager with DNR’s Southeast Region.
Thanks to the generous donations from the snowmobiling community, the following DNR-managed areas will open for winter recreation: Manashtash, southwest of Ellensburg; and Ahtanum Meadows, Ahtanum Guard Station, Rattlesnake, and Lily Lake, near Yakima.
Next step: Pray for snow!