Instinct
06-23-2008, 02:03 PM
This was originally posted to the Pacific NorthWest forum here on Ridemonkey, so my apologies if this is duplicate for some people, but I believe this issue is of concern to people beyond just the PNW. The same way people come from all over the world to visit Whistler, in the not too distant future, Steven's Pass here near Seattle in WA state may soon hold a similar draw to freeriders, racers and their friends and families far and wide.
So here's the deal:
Some of you already have signed up to receive emails from the US Forest Service concerning the Master Development Plan for Stevens pass, a big part of which is the proposed Mountain Bike Park.
The reasons I'm bringing it to people's attention here is point out how important it is that the Mountain Bike community's voice is heard on these plans.
Last week at the DNR meeting in Issaquah, a lady named Fran with the Mountaineers club approached me about Steven's Pass Bike Park (SPBP) plans to let me know that there is already some vocal and influential opposition to the bike park in certain groups such as the Sierra Club and other eco-centered organizations. While Fran's organization certainly has environmental concerns with development in wilderness areas, their point of view was that with a very high quality place for mountain biking, like the SPBP there would be a reduction in rogue trail building going on and therefore good for all those concerned with preserving natural areas. This is consistent with my organization's, the Dirt Corps (http://www.dirtcorps.com/) view and forms the basis for the message we are communicating to the DNR with the situation we currently face at the Snoqualmie Ridge trails.
Back to the issue at hand though, it's great that Fran and the Mountaineers have the foresight and I was appreciative to her for coming to us about this. We need to communicate this message to other organizations like the Forest Service and the opponents of the SPBP because I don't think people realize how large and passionate the mountain bike community has become.
Her advice was to get involved in the process by writing to the Forest Service and attending meetings like the one mentioned below. Now is the time for comment and public involvement. I don't think I need to go on about the significance of the SPBP and the potential it has to us a racers, freeriders and consumers feeling the pinch of rising costs on our ability to go to Whistler. But suffice to say that Steven's Pass, with the help of Whistler Bike Park pioneers, Gravity Logic, are prepared to build a world class venue and that is something to get excited about!
So I'm passing along the word and calling for action. Talk to people about this. Ask questions and get involved.
The Dirt Corps and our friends who live around here will be attending the meetings being organized to get public comment, and I ask those of you who can't attend to write or call the Forest Service so your voice is heard too. I think it will potential be a far more powerful message when it comes from people all accross the world. And lets face it. World class places to ride will always attract people from far away.
I encourage you furst to read the information regarding the plans available here:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/stevens-pass-mdp/index.shtml
The time for comment is over by July 3rd, so we need to act now.
Regards,
Matt Patterson
So here's the deal:
Some of you already have signed up to receive emails from the US Forest Service concerning the Master Development Plan for Stevens pass, a big part of which is the proposed Mountain Bike Park.
The reasons I'm bringing it to people's attention here is point out how important it is that the Mountain Bike community's voice is heard on these plans.
Last week at the DNR meeting in Issaquah, a lady named Fran with the Mountaineers club approached me about Steven's Pass Bike Park (SPBP) plans to let me know that there is already some vocal and influential opposition to the bike park in certain groups such as the Sierra Club and other eco-centered organizations. While Fran's organization certainly has environmental concerns with development in wilderness areas, their point of view was that with a very high quality place for mountain biking, like the SPBP there would be a reduction in rogue trail building going on and therefore good for all those concerned with preserving natural areas. This is consistent with my organization's, the Dirt Corps (http://www.dirtcorps.com/) view and forms the basis for the message we are communicating to the DNR with the situation we currently face at the Snoqualmie Ridge trails.
Back to the issue at hand though, it's great that Fran and the Mountaineers have the foresight and I was appreciative to her for coming to us about this. We need to communicate this message to other organizations like the Forest Service and the opponents of the SPBP because I don't think people realize how large and passionate the mountain bike community has become.
Her advice was to get involved in the process by writing to the Forest Service and attending meetings like the one mentioned below. Now is the time for comment and public involvement. I don't think I need to go on about the significance of the SPBP and the potential it has to us a racers, freeriders and consumers feeling the pinch of rising costs on our ability to go to Whistler. But suffice to say that Steven's Pass, with the help of Whistler Bike Park pioneers, Gravity Logic, are prepared to build a world class venue and that is something to get excited about!
So I'm passing along the word and calling for action. Talk to people about this. Ask questions and get involved.
The Dirt Corps and our friends who live around here will be attending the meetings being organized to get public comment, and I ask those of you who can't attend to write or call the Forest Service so your voice is heard too. I think it will potential be a far more powerful message when it comes from people all accross the world. And lets face it. World class places to ride will always attract people from far away.
I encourage you furst to read the information regarding the plans available here:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/stevens-pass-mdp/index.shtml
The time for comment is over by July 3rd, so we need to act now.
Regards,
Matt Patterson