Wayne Naillon, PUMP Tillamook Representative testifies before ODF

PUMP members.  This rider, Wayne Naillon, testified before the Board of Forestry in Salem yesterday on behalf of PUMP.

I did not think I would be put on the agenda for public comments due to the huge number of requests to testify yesterday from big timber and other organizations. But the gatekeeper at the front door said, "Your Wayne Naillon, I have seen your name everywhere for the last 9 years, you will get to speak".

I put in writing the ideas of Ryan Kilgren, Fred McGregor, and myself (Team Tilly or Tillamook Forest reps);on one page of paper and attatched it to the grant written by Randy Peterson from the Oregon Dept of Forestry.  This was given to all the Board members and the NorthWest Area Director =Mike Boredelon. They got this before my testimony.

The grant was given to ODF to hire a professional trail builder for a section of trail from Elk Creek TH going towards the summit. This will be a new segment of the Wilson River Trail. ODF took back the monies dedicated for the "match" part to the grant since the grant was written. Therefore, Randy Peterson from ODF has been afraid that the project would be cancelled. Ryan and I just feel strongly that this is just not acceptable. Ryan had the brillant idea of using South Fork inmate trail time and volunteer trail constructors time for the match part of the grant.  This idea was verbalized by me to the Board and ODF on behalf of Team Tilly and PUMP.

The new Board Chair is a cyclist, head of the World Forestry Ctr,  and the President of Cycle Oregon. His name is Larry Blackwell. He interupted my presentation and said " Give Randy Peterson my name and number and I will use Cycle O Community Funds for the match monies".  The North West Area Director of the Oregon Department of Forestry also joined me at the public comment microphone half way through my plea.  Mike Bordelon said he would also help us fulfill this grant. Mike is charge of the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests which represent about 80% of all the state forest lands.  It was an overwhelmingly positive response to PUMP's advocacy to continue building the WRT towards Mtn Bike Area I, the Storey Burn Trail.  This will connect all the trails at the summit of Highway 6 to the WRT trail.  Connecting what will be an extensive network of trails. ODF and the Board are supporting our request despite a mandate to cut ODF's budget.

The trail never ends....

Ryan rides the Historic Hiking Trail, Tillamook State Forest