(Source for text) “Located south of Bellingham off Chuckanut Drive, Blanchard State Forest is a hugely popular recreation area visited by as many as 100,000 people from across the Puget Sound region each year. Managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and encompassing Blanchard Mountain and popular Oyster Dome, the forest features prized hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails. In addition to Blanchard’s many trail users, visitors enjoy wildlife watching and families find a natural respite near the bustling I-5 corridor.

Unfortunately, logging will happen in this cherished area this summer if the state legislature doesn’t fund an agreement to protect it in 2017!

COMMENTING ON CAPITAL BUDGET

March 8th is the last day for bills to pass in whichever chamber they originated, House or Senate. The budget writing committees then set to work writing the budget. So, right after March 8th is the key time to contact members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House Capital Budget Committee to urge them to provide the $7.7 million needed to complete the funding of the Blanchard Forest Strategy. Everyone can write to the committee members, but in particular the chairs and vice-chairs are important, even if you are not in their district.