QuadraPaws™ 4x4 Club

Forest Watch Partnership and Trail Initiative

The Quadrapaws 4x4 Club, Twisted Rigs Off-Road and several Independent users have joined forces with the Department of Natural Resources to control our destiny in the Tahuya State Forest.

The Cooperative consists of several segments...

1. Forest Patrol, Every weekend members of the Quadrapaws 4x4 club patrol the forest. They have been formally trained by the DNR on variety of subjects. They can be identified by the magnetic stickers on their vehicle Identical to the Logo above, DNR Ball Caps and Patches. They have been issued DNR Radios and Call signs which can be used to call in assistance in case of trouble.

The following Individuals are trained members of the Forest Watch.

For more info please go here: Tahuya in the News.

Congratulations, and Thanks!!!!

Jeff Williams Tahuya 80     Cindy Williams Tahuya 81      Tanya Barnhill Tahuya 83

JJ Zettle Tahuya 87     Sean Butler Tahuya 90     Tina Waldher Tahuya 95

Travis Waldher Tahuya 98

2. Working Parties. The second part of the Partnership is continuous and extensive Working Parties to take care of the forest. Here's a Quote from a DNR Employee...

"Here are some of many photos taken during the 4x4 work party. There were many folks that showed up to work from three different clubs.  2 excavators and a bobcat with an auger, all donated equipment. The clubs closed and rehabilitated all problem areas associated to wetland destruction identified by the assessment team (Biologist/DNR/4x4 members). The trails leading into these areas were ripped up/put to bed and blocked off completely.   The club members also installed the partnership signs created for the wetland management areas.  The work completed was very thorough and positive towards DNR's objectives.
I feel very good about the commitment these folks are willing to give to these issues.   The next step is to monitor and patrol the areas in question and to insure that no new problem spots arise.  They are doing a large education outreach among the user groups to inform them of the current situation. We had a great turnout at the 4 wheel drive work party.  I was once again impressed with the group's ability to rally the troops to come and get a lot of work done.  The new trail heading north & south from Spillman to E Tahuya Spur Rd. was constructed.  We also were able to get a lot of good work done blocking off access routes out of the developing play area in the 4 wheel'n TBS and creating some challenges to the existing trail.  Nearly $2,400 worth of rented heavy equipment was graciously donated by United Rentals for the project (see attached photos).  I have not tallied all the volunteer hours put in by the clubs, but it was huge, 40 + people on Saturday from 4 different clubs. 8 or so people on Sunday.  Great job everyone!"

TAHUYA 4X4 PHASE II

WORK PARTY SUMMARY REPORT

DATE: 3/30/02 & 3/31/02

LOCATION: 4X4 TRAIL NEAR 4 WHEEL TIMBER SALE

NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS: (41) 3/30/02 (9) 3/31/02

TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS: 36 hours 3/23/02 new trail recon/lay out (348) 3/30/02 work party (27) hours 3/31/02 work party TOTAL 411

NAME’S OF PARTICIPATING CLUBS: QUADRAPAWS, BULLSHIFTERS, OUTRIDERS, TWISTED RIGS, TIMBER TAMERS, and ROUGH RANGERS

INDEPENDENT VOLUNTEERS: 12 NOT AFFILIATED WITH A CLUB

NUMBER OF FEET OF NEW TRAIL: TBD PENDING MEASUREMENT

DONATED EQUIPMENT: FROM UNITED RENTALS RENTON WA. STORE# 652. CASE 580L BACKHOE, BOBCAT T200 TRACK SKID STEER with GRAPPLE BUCKET AND BREAKER. DELIVERY EQUIPMENT 1999 PETERBUILT WITH 48’ TRAILER DONATION TOTAL $2374.23

QUADRAPAWS EXPENSE: $50.00 FUEL FOR EQUIPMENT

SCOPE: Construct 4X4 trail from the twin rock piles to East Tahuya Spur Road. Work on existing trail problems user built issues. Work the clear-cut mud area

EXISTING TRAIL WORK

1. The intersection where the JBX trail meets with the forest road at that intersection approximately 2 yards of rock was added to give a hard pan in that area. The bobcat and breaker was used to break down the larger rocks.
2. Used the backhoe to block off user built trails and off shoots from 4x4 trail. Dug big hole and buried stumps to prevent removal via winch or dragged out.

1. Used backhoe and ripped up old skidder road to build in difficulty and technical obstacles for 4X4’s
2. Used the Bobcat to construct the trail we twisted and wound the trail high on a ridge without entering clear-cut or crossing any water. Block access to old skidder roads that would invite user built activity. During this section we took advantage of the terrain to build in a degree of difficulty to this section of trail.
3. Marked the trail with YELLOW Diamonds and gave it a Name "RIFF_RAFF" The was built with some difficulty with off camber and tight and narrow to keep the Riff-Raff off.

CLEAR-CUT MUD AREA (4 Wheel Timber Sale clear-cut). The section of road left behind by the logging Contractor.

CONCLUSION: The above trail additions will be maintained by 4X4 volunteer users and monitored by the forest watch program

3. IAC Grant.

The third and final part of the DNR-Quadrapaws Partnership was a Grant from the National Recreation Trails Program (NRTP) . This is a Federal Grant managed by the Washington State InterAgency for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) The Grant was approved 1st place of 61 that were approved. The Grant gives The Quadrapaws the much needed funding to continue Work in the Forest. The Grant total is $15,000 from the Government over a 2 year period, Matched with labor. The club provides labor at a rate of $10.00 an hour to match the Government's money. The Grant is a Development type, meaning that it was used to develop new trail, and re-develop existing trails that were impacted by logging. The Grant was approved, and the Work is done. Come check out the New Tahuya.

GO QuadraPaws!!!