Capitol Forest - Grants Awarded

Grants awarded by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board include:

Washington State Department of Natural Resources Grant Awarded: $168,000 Maintaining Capitol Forest Off-Road Vehicle Trails

The Department of Natural Resources will use this grant to maintain 87 miles of ORV trail, two trail heads, one novice area, and an ORV campground in the Capitol State Forest. High use, clay soils, and crossings of salmon-bearing streams means the motorized trails in the forest require ongoing, intensive maintenance to ensure a safe, fun experience for visitors and protection of the environment. Crews will shape the trail surface, harden small sections of trail by laying crushed rock or concrete grid blocks, maintain drainage structures, remove overgrown brush, and inspect bridges. Work will be done by department staff, Washington Conservation Corps and prison crews, volunteers, and clubs. The department will contribute $112,100 in equipment, labor, and donations of equipment and labor. This grant is from the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities program. (11-1005)

Washington State Department of Natural Resources Grant Awarded: $142,000
Providing Education and Enforcement in Thurston County’s Capitol Forest

The Department of Natural Resources will use this grant to pay for a full-time education and enforcement specialist to patrol 172 miles of trail, 7 campgrounds, 5 trail heads, and 500 miles of forest roads in the 110,000-acre Capitol Forest. The department estimates that more than 800,000 people visit the forest each year. Forested areas can be denuded and fish bearing streams damaged if off-road vehicle use is not supervised.
The department’s enforcement and education program plays a major part in guiding users to respect the environment, forestry operations, and other recreationists. The grant will pay for labor, signs, supplies, and transportation costs to assist the specialist and volunteers in their efforts to educate recreational visitors about rules, policies, and principals of good stewardship. The program will identify and address health, safety,and resource damage issues and provide an in-field enforcement presence. The department will contribute $94,700 in labor and donated labor. This grant is from the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities program. (11-1007)