Recreation in Ahtanum State Forest
RECREATION Planning IN Ahtanum State Forest
DNR Releases Ahtanum State Forest Recreation Plan
>> Read the final Athanum State Forest Recreation Plan (9.6 MB PDF) More about Ahtanum
Ahtanum State Forest covers a unique and diverse landscape southwest of Yakima, Washington, with ecosystems ranging from shrub-steppe in the eastern portion to high alpine in the western area. The 77,000-acre block of land is a working forest that provides revenue to Washington schools and trusts from forest harvests and leasing. Ahtanum also offers year-round recreation opportunities including ORV riding, four-wheel driving, hunting, horseback riding, snowmobiling, hiking, and mountain biking. Planning for the future of recreation in Ahtanum
Because of Ahtanum’s popularity, work has been underway to develop a comprehensive management plan that provides for safe and sustainable recreation. A draft of the Ahtanum State Forest Recreation Plan will be ready for review in late summer 2009. Adopting a recreation plan will help DNR meet its land-management obligations and, at the same time, provide for multiple uses within the Ahtanum State Forest. Timeline for planning
- Spring 2007. The Washington State Legislature approved funding for DNR to develop a recreation management plan for the Ahtanum State Forest.
- Winter 2008. The Ahtanum Recreation Planning Committee is formed to help guide DNR in its planning efforts. Membership includes a diverse group of motorized and non-motorized recreation users, adjacent landowners, and conservation interests.
- Spring – Fall 2008. Planning group holds 10 meetings, including field visits. The group discussed recreation issues and considered potential management options. DNR staff provided the planning group with comprehensive background information to review as they made their recommendations. During these meetings, planning group members discussed issues such as enforcement and education, Green Dot road systems, trail construction, designated and dispersed camping, environmental and habitat issues, and general management.
- October 2008. Citizen planning group process is completed.
- Winter 2009. DNR staff develops draft Ahtanum State Forest Recreation Plan, based largely on recommendations from the citizen planning group.
- September 8 – October 8, 2009. Plan goes through State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) public review process.
Next Steps - Fall 2009. Plan completed.
- Fall 2009. Begin putting plan in place.
General Information
Ahtanum State Forest Fact Sheet (165 KB PDF)
Ahtanum State Forest Planning Project Timeline (103 KB PDF)
Ahtanum State Forest Project Update – June 2008 (24 KB PDF)
Ahtanum State Forest Project Update – March 2008 (24 KB PDF)Ahtanum State Forest Maps
Ahtanum State Forest and Surrounding Area (339 KB PDF)
Ahtanum State Forest Planning Area (5.4 MB PDF)
Ahtanum State Forest Aerial Photo (25 MB PDF)
Green Dot Road Map (3 MB PDF) News Releases
DNR Announces Kick-off of Recreation Planning Process for Ahtanum State Forest (28 KB PDF)
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Ahtanum State Forest Recreation Plan - Draft - September 2009
(1,461KB
PDF)
Figure 1. DNR regions and project location
(1,547KB
PDF)
Figure 2. Ahtanum State Forest landscape features
(1,388KB
PDF)
Figure 3. Ahtanum State Forest existing recreation uses
(2,282KB
PDF)
Figure 4. Concept map of managment recommendations
(1,219KB
PDF)
Figure 5. Priorities for implementing ASF plan
(1,266KB
PDF)
Figure 6. Recreation land suitability—summer recreation facilities
(2,033KB
PDF)
Figure 7. Recreation land suitability—hiking trails
(1,969KB
PDF)
Figure 8. Recreation land suitability—summer non-motorized trails
(3,511KB
PDF)
Figure 9. Recreation land suitability—summer motorized trails
(3,362KB
PDF)
Figure 11. Recreation sites on DNR-managed land
(1,963KB
PDF)
Ahtanum State Forest Recreation Plan - January 2010
(9,585KB
PDF)
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