WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Officials with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced vehicle access to the Sumas Mountain recreation area east of Everson/Nooksack will be prohibited beginning Friday, December 15th.
We’ve made the difficult decision to close Sumas Mountain to vehicle access due to garbage dumping, timber theft, and unsanctioned trails that are impacting salmon-bearing streams.
We previously closed the area to vehicle access in August 2022 due to similar environmental concerns. Our staff spent hundreds of hours to repair the damage and reopen the area.
In recent months, damage and dumping again became a problem.
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Click for more informationThe unsanctioned trails constructed on Sumas Mountain have affected fish by delivering sediment to streams, violated environmental regulations, and angered neighbors by crossing onto private property.
The damage from the past 2 years has cost the state $30,000.
We know most of you follow the rules while recreating, but we need to take steps to protect this valuable area.
We manage the 14,000 acres of forests around Sumas Mountain to raise revenue to support statewide K-12 school construction, Washington State University, & local services in Whatcom County.
The closure goes into effect Friday, Dec. 15, and the entrances will likely remain closed until the 2024 hunting season. The forest remains open for walk-in dispersed recreation. Washington State Department of Natural Resources (December 14, 2023)
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