Timber harvests operations in Capitol State Forest will cause some temporary trail re-routes and closures near Straddleline until further notice. The North Rim motorized trail (near the North Rim #2, #3 split) has been re-routed onto a forest road. The Loki motorized trail has been closed at the KC line and the ORV park tie trail is closed.

The trail closures are in place for the safety of the public. It’s important to honor these closures for your own safety as well as that of those working in the area. Timber harvest activities will result in increased heavy truck and equipment traffic, so be sure to keep an eye out on the forest roads. Always yield to these vehicles. They are big, and they don’t stop quickly.

Capitol State Forest has many other accessible trails, but if you’d like to avoid the situation altogether, Tahuya State Forest offers excellent trails and is within roughly 50 miles of Capitol State Forest.

DNR updates its web site with information about seasonal and temporary closures as well as other information you need to plan your outdoor adventure. Visit www.dnr.wa.gov/recreation.

IMAGE/DNR Law Enforcement Officer Jason Bodine patroling Capitol State Forest/courtesy of DNR

Governor Jay Inslee has declared May 18 through 24 as Safe Boating Week in Washington; and the Washington State Parks and RecreationCommission reminds all water sport enthusiasts of the importance of safe boating and officially launches the Wear It Washington! Campaign.

Washington’s Safe Boating Week runs concurrent with National Safe Boating Week, coordinated each year by the National Safe Boating Council and its boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada to promote the importance of recreation boaters to wear life jacket. The Wear It!campaign promotes life jacket wear on boats for adults and children and provides education about new styles of life jackets available, including inflatable ones.

Wear It Washington! is a simple reminder to encourage everyone, both adults and children, to stay safe on the water by always wearing a life jacket,said Clark County Sheriffs Office Deputy Todd Baker. We are pleased to bring this important message to the thousands of water enthusiasts who will be on Washingtons waterways this summer.

Boating safety events will be held at various locations across Washington throughout the summer. The public is invited to attend and learn more about safe boating and life jackets as well as meet boating safety advocates.

Each year, 400 to 500 lives could have been saved if boaters had worn their life jackets,said Dan Shipman, recreational boating safety specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard District 13. "New life jackets on the market today are comfortable, lightweight and perfect for any boating activity. Dont just carry a life jacket wear it!

The most recent statistics released by the U.S. Coast Guard indicate that 84 percent of boaters who drowned in 2012 were NOT wearing life jackets.

During the State Parks Boating Programs Wear It Washington! campaign this summer, special teams of volunteers, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, marine law enforcement officers, local marina personnel and other organizations will be at boating safety events demonstrating the latest designs in life jackets and providing free vessel safety checks.  

The Washington State Parks Boating Safety Program is a leader in boating safety and environmental education and outreach, with the purpose of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of Washington waterways, and keeping recreational boating a safe, accessible and enjoyable pastime.

For more information on boating in Washington, visit www.boat.wa.gov.

Olympic National Park has released its sport fishing regulations for 2013-2014 and announced the closure of recreational fishing in the Hoh River watershed effective immediately.

Approximately 56 percent of the Hoh watershed lies within Olympic National Park boundaries; the fishing closure includes only those portions of the upper Hoh River, South Fork Hoh River, all tributaries, and the Hoh River mouth within the park.