Field reports: WATV lawsuit filed as forests open routes

ORV-ING – Six routes for wheeled ATVs (WATVs) were opened June 26 across the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

However, on Thursday a lawsuit was filed seeking to bar street-ready all-terrain vehicles from forest roads until more evaluation is completed.

WATVs are ATVs designed or modified for on-road use according to regulations set by Washington House Bill 1632 approved in 2013.

WATVs have license plates issued by the state and drivers must have a driver license and comply with all applicable rules of the road.

The Alpine Lakes Protection Society, Kittitas Audubon Society and Sierra Club filed a lawsuit to halt the Forest Service opening of 350 miles of roads to WATVs. 

The lawsuit charges that the Forest Service action violates both the National Environmental Policy Act and the Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule.  

“The rush to open WATV routes before completing the broad public process of Travel Management does not make sense, has alienated stakeholders, and polarized the community,” said Harry Romberg of Sierra Club.

“WATV routes belong in the Travel Management process, just like all other ORV routes on our National Forest lands.” 

The Forest Service said that where possible, the WATV routes were designed to connect to trails open to ATVs. In other words, there will be impacts (including increased traffic) on those trails, degrading habitat quality and impairing other recreational users’ experiences. ATVs, including WATVs, are designed for off-road use.

Maps of the routes are available on the Forest website. All routes are on roads that are already open to other motorized vehicles, but at this time no other forest roads are open to WATVs.

“Opening these routes honors our commitment to provide public access that meets the needs of different user groups and local communities,” said Deputy Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken.

“We have partnered with WATV users and environmental groups to help us monitor impacts and educate visitors on the need to stay on authorized roads.” 

Environmental groups say they are offended by the unexpected early opening of the routes.

“We’re concerned about agency capacity to deal with illegal and harmful off-road riding,” said ALPS president Karl Forsgaard.

“We need law enforcement’s presence out on the land, but the Forest Service is already stretched thin.

“This will cause a big increase in machines and impacts in the backcountry, and it’s not the place to cut corners on planning, analysis or public communication.”

Weekend for women teaches outdoor skills

WORKSHOP – Women can learn the basics of fishing, hunting and other outdoor skills at a September weekend workshop presented by Washington Outdoor Women.

The annual workshop is scheduled Sept.18-20 at Camp Waskowitz near North Bend.

WOW is a nonprofit program dedicated to teaching women outdoor skills. Info: washingtonoutdoorwomen.org.