Snoqualmie District Closes 7,000 acres to Target Shooting
New signs in the Snoqualmie District enforce the shooting closure
As thousands of hikers and campers head up to the mountains this weekend, those looking for respite in the I-90 corridor will find an extra measure of peace and quiet: this week the Snoqualmie Ranger District has initiated an emergency closure of 7,000 acres north and south of the interstate to shooting.
For many years, hikers have had to contend with random gunfire near roads and trails in the area a situation that can spook even the most seasoned hiker. While target shooting safely--into an appropriate backstop and away from roads, trails and developed sites--is not a danger to hikers and other trail users, the proliferation of unmanaged target shooting poses serious risks to all forest users.
Recently, Forest Service staff and contractors have raised serious concerns about their safety and that of the public. District Ranger Jim Franzel has taken this first-in-the-nation step as an emergency measure to stop irresponsible target shooting in the near term and to create breathing room to plan for a safer and more sustainable approach to target shooting on the District. WTA applauds this step as a necessary and measured approach to ensuring public safety.
On the south side of I-90, the closure comprises lands between the interstate and the Tinkham Road from Ollalie State Park to the Summit. On the north side, the closure is between the interstate and the 9030-9031 road from Asahel Curtis to the Ira Spring Trailhead.
Of course, this development must be met by a commitment from the Forest Service and Interior Appropriations budget writers to significantly improve enforcement of wildland-urban interface areas such as this. WTA will continue to work at the state and federal levels to ensure safer trails for everyone who loves the woods--firearms enthusiasts included. If you have encountered irresponsible target shooting, please take a moment to report the incident using this form. If you have other questions or comments about our Safer Trails Campaign, contact me at (206) 625-1367 or by email at jonathan@wta.org.
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FS Closed Too Many Spurs
Shooting practice was previously conducted on dead-end roads very safely. There was and is no legitimate "safety" issue that necessitated this action. It is a shame to see the WTA laud this arbitrary FS action. It is also a shame to see WTA advocate further removal of outdoor activities historically allowed minors. There is again no legitimate reason why youths should not be allowed to hunt independently. The WTA, with these positions, is simply advocating for delays in the age of responsibility. Instead, the position the WTA should take is to encourage all avenues for youths to OBTAIN responsibility earlier, and to open MORE activities to youth. Organizations such as the WTA seem to be of the attitude that "youth" is nothing more than a fantasy, to be lived at theme parks or game consoles.
This sort of restrictionist/prohibitionist attitude is counter to the cultural history of individual liberty the United States. Each new champion of additional regulation, restriction, bureacracy and prohibition makes the nation more unsafe by creating a population unaccustomed to the rights of freedom.
I-90 should be considered to be one of the best places to target practice, and the WTA should encourage that it take place in the noisy I-90 freeway corridor instead of pushing it into other areas. The WTA risks balkanizing the conservation coalition, which includes hunters and target shooters, and discourages the vast funding of conservation from hunters.
The Forest Service and state agencies should instead re-open spur roads in the Middle Fork area, at Exit 38, along FR 9030, and at other exits along I-90 with signage directing target practice to those re-opened spurs.