NORTH BEND, Wash. - The community of North Bend is the hub for three of the state's most popular hiking trails. Thousands use the Mount Si, Little Si, and Rattlesnake Mountain hiking trails each year. But plans to close the trailhead services those visitors enjoy are still alive and kicking in Olympia.
Governor Chris Gregoire's proposed budget reluctantly cuts the maintenance funds.
"If the funds are cut, then we have nobody who works in cleaning the bathrooms, keeping the trailhead open, locking the gates, working with volunteers, there is no staff resources for anyone to work here at all," explained the Department of Natural Resources Regional Director Douglas McClelland.
Hikers say the services are important parts of the outdoor experience at those sites and say losing them will definitely keep some hikers away. That worries North Bend business owners like Kenneth Hearing who is also the city mayor.
"Let me put this way," said Hearing. "Seventy percent of our general fund revenue comes from business and the majority of our business is tourist-based."
Hearing and others are hoping outdoor groups like the Washington Trails Association will convince legislators at the current special session to find some way to preserve the state funding.
Jonathon Guzzo, a spokesman for that group, told KING 5 Tuesday he is hearing a lot of positive responses from the Senators and Representatives he has met with, but knows they are all under a lot of pressure to find ways to trim the budget.
To add a comment, please register or login.