i guess sunday will work (in protest [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img] ) for me too. im sure i can make it to the upper staging area no problem but if the snow is low i might need to hop on to your trailor Happy. also is the buzz in on HWY2 on the left or right hand side?

 

Its really simple to convert the ATV to What should deem it street legal. they make kits as well as you just take your bolt pattern to les schwab or sompin and pick up a set of wheels and some car tires or light truck tires. Hell polaris makes street legal sportsmans and crap and sells em overseas. why dont we get those here? they come with blinkers and mirriors and the works. BUNCH OF TREE HUGGIN HIPPY CRAP!!! I am not sure if many people have tried around here. it doesnt specifically exclude them from being street legal in the RCW's as far as i can tell. Long as the vehicle has the proper equipment. really how is it anymor dangerous than some of these rinky dink trikes i see on the highway?

 

Bear,
The uneasy answer to your question is that there are few people looking after ATV issues in Olympia with the Legislature and the Governor. There are only 3 groups who have had a lobbying presence. The Washington State Motorsports Dealers Assn (the dealers) and the Motorcycle Industry Council (the manufacturers) have small contracts with lobbyists to monitor legislation (each spending $2K & $2.5K a month respectively). The NW Motorcycle Assn had a lobbyist for one month and spent $4K in March 2004.

The ATVers best friend in Olympia is Representative Cary Condotta (R-Wenatchee), who owns Condotta Motorsports (ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc.) in Wenatchee. He has been vocal on ATV and ORV issues during his tenure in Olympia. He would be a good person to talk with to understand what has happened in recent years. There are also several other legislators in both the House and Senate who ride ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles.

Last session Condotta got a new law enacted to increase ORV tag fees from $5 to $18 (temporary from $2 to $7), SHB 2919. It restricted the use of these funds to funding ORV recreation areas and activities. There is an oversight committee, The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.

To get a bill moving on your subject, it would be important to get NMA support and then get the dealers' and manufacturers' support. Then work with Condotta and others.

The new chair for the House Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks Committee will be Representative Brian Sullivan (D-Mukilteo). He is a very moderate legislator who is approachable and good to work with on many issues. He has indicated that there will likely be legislation impacting ATVs and ORVs in the next legislative session. I don't know the details, but am doing some digging to find out what is floating around. The Senators in charge of the appropriate committees are also moderates.

The Democrats increased their majority in the State House and took over a 2-seat majority in the State Senate. With these expanded majorities, it will be very important to closely monitor any bills impacting our sport. Also, while Rossi is now governor-elect, the Democrats announced today that they are requesting a statewide hand recount. If the election shifts to Gregoire, then watch for a slew of environmental and landuse restriction bills to fly through the legislature. With Dino in as Governor, there is more opportunity for our sport to make some progress or at least stop the bad bills.

Bottomline: get to know your legislators and pay attention to what is happening in Olympia with the Legislature, the Governor and the agencies and commissions.

 

Actually the staging area we were at last time is about TWO MILES past the first gravel staging area. On the left after the winding part of the road. Don't turn left at the first gravel road past the first staging area, it will not get you where you want to be.

 

I'll try, no promises yet.

 

The Buzz Inn in Monroe is on the right side of Hwy 2

 

RidinLCWA, Thanks for the info. I, as a matter of fact am on a first name basis with my local legislator, Tim Sheldon. So I will contact some people and approach Tim and see what is possible. I mean, lets shoot for the moon and settle for what we can get for now.

 

Senator and soon-to-be County Commissioner Tim Sheldon. Having him in dual roles will be interesting (and beneficial). It is interesting to note that the Democrats were so mad with Sheldon for supporting Bush and chairing a committee under Republican Senate control, that they would not give him an office assisgnment. The Senate Republicans have stepped in and given Sen/Commissioner Sheldon an office on their side in the newly renovated Capitol Building (a very plum spot)! Politics is a funny way of life.

 

cool ty, if anyone is interested i will be going up tomorrow to reiter unless its downpouring. i'll be past the right hand hairpin turn at the second gravel road on the left, just look for the blue camry pulling a quad bigger than it [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img] hopefully it will be snowing, snow rocks!

 

RidinLCWA; will the Thurston/Grays Harbour ORV park ever be RE-OPENED????????