Many ATV drivers are in a hurry for an ATV experience, and do not take the time to research trails, but are all gung-ho to build a trail. This is acceptable when an ATVer owns a chunk of private property, but there are times when where you build is not exactly "private". When in doubt, call the DNR.
In Washington State, alone, there is approximately three million acres of DNR managed lands, which include: trusts of agricultural, forest, commercial, and current and future beneficiaries. These all together create more than 5.5 billion in revenue so that groups including ATVers do not have to pay excessively for the use of those areas open to the public, among other state projects. This is good for everyone.
Any ATVer or ATV group can contact the DNR and find useful information on trail building, and if the trail they want to build is, in fact, on public or private land. The DNR is working to identify as many traisl as they can find that may have been built on trust lands and how these trails can be brought into the general use system. They are not against any ATVer having a great time, or building trails, they just want everyone to optimize their efforts for a good time. There are over nine million users of recreational lands in Washington State each year. ATVers are an integral part of this figure. As an ATV promoter, please involve the DNR in your efforts when working on riding areas near you.
