More than 240 people turned out last night (Oct. 22) in Monroe for a public forum to discuss DNR’s temporary closure of Reiter Foothills Forest. The temporary closure starts Nov. 2, but people will be allowed in on foot. The closure for a few months is needed to repair damage that heavy use has caused to water quality, stream banks, fish spawning habitat and the forest’s trust assets (trees). The forested state trust land is a popular destination for off-road vehicle enthusiasts, campers, hikers, equestrians, and others.
DNR has been working with citizens, user groups and others since 2007 to develop a recreation plan and address problems in the area. A DNR factsheet explains the temporary closure and next steps. Recent coverage by King 5 News and the Everett Herald focused on the negative reaction several users had to news of the temporary closure. At last night’s meeting, several dozen attendees signed up to volunteer to help DNR restore habitat, build trails and do other work to re-open the forest sometime next year.
