The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

OLYMPIA—The Washington State Parks Winter Recreation is in need of winter sports enthusiasts to serve on the Winter Recreation Advisory Committee (WRAC) or the Snowmobile Advisory Committee (SMAC).

Committee members review vital issues and advise the State Parks Commission and staff on program policy and funding priorities for snow removal, trail grooming, sanitation, education and enforcement.

Members are appointed by the commission and may serve up to two three-year terms. The committees meet at least two weekends each year, once during the winter and once during the summer. Travel, lodging and meal costs for meeting attendance is reimbursed.

There are currently five openings, two of which can be filled by Walla Walla or Columbia County residents.

The WRAC is in need of a non-motorized winter recreation representative from Area 6 (Adams, Whitman, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield or Asotin counties) and an at-large motorized (snowmobile) representative.

THE SMAC has an opening for an Area 6 snowmobile representative and an at-large non-motorized representative.

The Winter Recreation Program manages more than 3,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 300 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and more than 120 Sno-Parks (plowed parking areas near snowmobile and cross-country ski trails). The Winter Recreation Program is supported entirely by user fees, snowmobile registrations and a percentage of the state fuel tax

Advisory committee members can be nominated or apply to serve. Nominations and applications must be received by Aug. 30 with new appointments beginning Oct. 1. To send nominations or request an application, contact the Winter Recreation Program at winter@parks.wa.gov, P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, or (360) 902-8684.