Storm Wipes Out Roads and Trails in the Backcountry
Adds to the pain of stretched recreation budgets
Nov 17, 2006 – For the past decade, land agencies like the USDA Forest Service and National Park Service and volunteer groups like Washington Trails Association (WTA) have worked tirelessly to restore our trail system to an acceptable condition, with fewer and fewer dollars to work with. At a time when the maintenance and upkeep of our public lands continues to get short shrift, a single large storm can cause grave damage. Last week’s record rains in the Northwest did just that.
“Last week’s storms wreaked havoc on Washington’s backcountry, likely setting us back several years,� said Jonathan Guzzo, Advocacy Director for Washington Trails Association.
Three years after torrential rains resulted in massive damage to trails and roads in the Cascades and Olympics, the Pacific Northwest has again been visited by a major weather event. Mount Rainier National Park was hit hard, with virtually every road leading into the Park washed out. Roads and trails throughout the Cascades, including the Gifford Pinchot and Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forests have also been washed out. Olympic National Park roads and trails fared poorly as well.
The scope of the recent rain event will not be fully known until the snow melts next spring, but the limited assessments and flyovers that have been conducted hint at massive damage to many low to mid elevation trails, including severe slumps and washouts, and dozens of washed-away bridges. It is already clear that the damage toll will be in the millions of dollars, on top of an already stretched trail budget.
"Last week's storm adds to the pain of stretched recreation budgets. Unfortunately, our National Parks and Forests don't have an insurance policy to cash in. Congress has to step up and provide critical funding so that Washingtonians and tourists from around the world can once again visit these beloved Parks and Forests� said Guzzo.
“First and foremost, we must do all we can to support those who have lost loved ones and homes to the rains this year. And when our elected officials return to Washington DC in January, they should also keep in mind the important role that our trails and public lands play for Washington residents,� said Guzzo.
Trails in Washington already face a $30 million backlog of deferred maintenance that escalates with each passing year. This backlog of trail maintenance takes the form of trails that are not cleared of logs and brush, routes that are sloughing from steep hillsides, and erosion from uncontrolled water drainage. This year’s rains only add to an already dire problem.
“WTA members and staff will be on the phone and on trail this winter, grappling with the scope of the damage, so that we can respond effectively and schedule summer work parties in the right places,� said Guzzo.
Meanwhile, while recreation budgets increase nationally by roughly 5 percent, our Forests and Parks in Washington have seen their share of the recreation budget decline by 2-4 percent per year. To put these numbers in context, 75 percent of the National Forest Service’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product comes from recreation.
Our public lands are not on a sustainable path. As maintenance backlogs continue to pile up, as important work on National Forest and Parks is washed away, the fiscal hole that we are in grows deeper and deeper.
“Fortunately, there is a solution to this dilemma, in the form of a financial shot in the arm for our Forest and Park recreation budgets,� said Guzzo. “Congress can provide sustainable funding to National Forest and Park services, so that they can leverage the work of eager volunteers. We urge Congress to take action as soon as the new session convenes in January, and we urge hikers to contact their members of Congress, and let them know just how important these trails are to their health and quality of life.�
Another way hikers can help is to document the damage they see in the backcountry, and volunteer for trail repair next year.
“The key thing now is to try to quantify the damage,� said Chris Bell, Director of Operations at Washington Trails Association. “Hikers can help us respond to these problems by filing trip reports at www.wta.org when they find trail damage.� A few tips in reporting damage: note mileage from trailhead or other landmark; if possible, take photographs; measure or estimate the diameter of fallen trees; note any areas where water is running over the trail. These Trip Reports will help the Forest Service, Park Service and WTA volunteer crews determine where work is needed most and what type or repair work will need to be done.
Hikers may be able to help the most by volunteering for a trail crews when the snow melts in 2007. “Stay tuned to the WTA website for opportunities to help with trail cleanup.� said Bell.
Earth Share organization Washington Trails Association is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization. WTA protects trails and wildlands, takes volunteers out to maintain trails, and promotes hiking as a fun, healthy way to explore the outdoors. WTA has coordinated over 70,900 hours of volunteer trail maintenance in Washington so far in 2006.
For extensive, ongoing coverage of storm damage to Washington’s backcountry, visit WTA's Signpost blog.
