(February 24, 2009)
This arrived in The Ski Journal’s inbox yesterday and is an important issue for anyone who uses the backcountry in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Please take the time to voice your opinion and help the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center secure funding moving forward.

“Dear Friend of NWAC,
We need your help! The Washington State legislature is currently debating Senate Bill 5596, a proposal to add a $2 surcharge to snowmobile licenses and Sno-Park permits, money which would directly support NWAC. This funding source could provide as much as $140,000 for NWAC and fill a large budget hole…without it NWAC may not be able to operate next season. Please take a few minutes and contact the members of the Transporation Commitee, which is currently evaluating the bill. Tell them that you support Senate Bill 5596 and emphasize the importance of making sure that NWAC can continue to provide the avalanche forecasts that keep us all safe.
E-mail addresses for the Transporation Committee members are below.
E-mail one of them or all of them…whatever you can do. If any of them represent your district, your comments will go even further.
Please take a few minutes and send some e-mails! Your effort could save NWAC!
haugen.marymargaret@leg.wa.gov
marr.chris@leg.wa.gov
swecker.dan@leg.wa.gov
becker.randi@leg.wa.gov
benton.don@leg.wa.gov
berkey.jean@leg.wa.gov
delvin.jerome@leg.wa.gov
eide.tracey@leg.wa.gov
jacobsen.ken@leg.wa.gov
jarrett.fred@leg.wa.gov
kastama.jim@leg.wa.gov
kauffman.claudia@leg.wa.gov
kilmer.derek@leg.wa.gov
king.curtis@leg.wa.gov
ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov
sheldon.tim@leg.wa.gov
Thanks for your help!
The Friends of NWAC”