Hey All, I think this is something we can all rally around - Chris All, As I mentioned on Monday, I attended the Transportation Committee hearing of Senate Bill 5596 yesterday. The bill would add a $2 surcharge to all snowmobile license and non-motorized Snow-Park pass purchases. Two people spoke out against the bill, a representative from WSSA (Snowmobile Assoc) and a private citizen who happens to be on the non-motorized Winter Recreation Advisory Board and is a member of the Olympic Mountaineers. I found it disappointing that ther e was opposition to what seems to me like a fairly insignificant charge of $2. At any rate, it would be helpful at this point for all of you to write a quick note to Senator Mary Margaret Haugen , the chair of the Transportation Committee, supporting the bill and recommending that it be moved out of committee. Her e-mail is haugen.marymargaret@leg.wa.gov . You might also write to your legislator if s/he is on the Transportation committee… http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/TRAN/membersstaff.htm and bcc Sentaor Jacobsen, the sponsor of the bill and our champion in Oly. I suggest including the following points: 1. It is absolutely crucial that NWAC continue to operate and be fully funded. Without it, it is impossible for people crossing the mountain passes and recreating in the mountains in winter to obtain accurate information about the avalanche hazard. The absence of NWAC information will result in more avalanche fatalities. 2. Senate Bill 5596 provides a permanent source of funding at an insignificant cost of $2 to those who use the NWAC information the most. 3. The $2 surcharge impacts all recreational user groups. Based on the annual average number of snowmobile licenses and non-mechanized Snow Park permits sold, the snowmobile community and the non-motorized users would both be contributing app. $70,000/year. 4. This bill is fair and provides an easy solution to a long-standing problem. I testified as a representative of the FOAC, so I suggest writing as a concerned winter recreator. Thanks for your help. Please take 10 minutes today and do this! Benj