Oregon parks pass on sale for less
Oregon is selling its 2013 state parks day-use parking permit for a $5 discount in December.
Required at 26 Oregon state parks, the permit is on sale for $25 instead of $30. Visitors who do not have long-term passes must purchase $5 daily permits.
To buy the pass, call the Oregon State Parks Information Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 1-800-551-6949. Callers will need a VISA or MasterCard debit or credit card.
Customers also can buy the permits at Oregon state parks offices, and selected local businesses. A list of the vendors is posted at www.oregonstateparks.org/dayuse_permit_ vendors.php.
Fishing comment deadline nears
OLYMPIA — Anglers have until Dec. 15 to submit written comments on the state’s proposed sport-fishing rules.
The changes were unveiled in September and six public meetings were held around the state, including Oct. 9 in Vancouver.
Among the proposals for Southwest Washington waters include increasing the daily bag limit at Merwin Reservoir to 10 kokanee plus five trout and delaying the opening of Swift Reservoir to the first Saturday in June.
At Swift, landlocked salmon rules would apply (landlocked salmon and trout all count toward the daily limit), the maximum-size limit would be 15 inches and the daily bag would increase to 10 fish beginning in September.
To submit comments, go online to http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/comments/index.php.
Ski trails to be open for fat-bike cyclists
WINTHROP — The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association is opening portions of its 120-mile groomed nordic trail system to bicycles.
Skiers headed out on a few trails with enough snow for grooming this week.
In addition, several trails will be opened to “fat bike” enthusiasts who rely on mountain bikes with oversized low-pressure tires for traction and buoyancy on snow.
“We are piloting fat biking with our eyes and ears wide open,” said James DeSalvo, MVSTA executive director.
“We believe we can manage fat biking use so that it has no greater impact to our trail platform than that of our traditional skiing public,” he said, adding that feedback would guide the future of the program.
