Use of horses, llamas, sled dogs or similar animals for recreation.
(1) No horses, llamas, sled dogs or similar animals used for recreation shall be permitted on trails in any state park area, except where designated and posted to specifically or conditionally permit such activity. The director or designee may open or close trails to such use. This decision shall include an evaluation of factors including, but not limited to, conflict with other park users, public safety, and damage to park resources and/or facilities. This evaluation shall include a reasonable effort to involve interested trail users of the park in question, including, at a minimum, one public meeting advertised and conducted in the region where the park is located. Trails designated open for such use may be temporarily closed by the park manager due to emergency health, safety, or resource protection considerations.
(2) No horses, llamas, sled dogs or similar animals used for recreation shall be permitted off trails in any state park area, except where authorized by the commission and posted to specifically or conditionally permit such activity.
(3) Horses, llamas, sled dogs or similar animals used for recreation shall not be permitted in any designated swimming areas, campgrounds - except designated horse or pack-oriented camping areas - or picnic areas, nor within a natural area preserve.
(4) Horses, llamas, sled dogs or similar animals used for recreation shall not be permitted within natural areas or natural forest areas, except that relocation of existing equestrian or other similar trails into natural areas or natural forest areas may be permitted upon a finding by the director or designee that such relocation is for the purpose of reducing overall resource impacts to a state park area.
(5) No person shall ride any horse or other animal in such a manner that might endanger life or limb of any person or animal, or damage park resources and/or facilities, and no person shall allow a horse or other animal to stand unattended or insecurely tied. Persons using horses or other animals for recreation shall obey regulatory signs, including those permanently or temporarily erected, that govern the timing, location, speed, type and/or manner of use.
(6) Any person bringing a horse, llama, sled-dog or similar animal into a state park area shall cleanup animal feces in parking lots, at trail heads and other central locations used by park visitors.
(7) Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter
7.84 RCW.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter
79A.05 RCW. WSR 07-03-121, § 352-32-070, filed 1/22/07, effective 2/22/07. Statutory Authority: Chapter
79A.05 RCW, including RCW
79A.05.030,
79A.05.035,
79A.05.055, and
79A.05.070. WSR 00-13-070, § 352-32-070, filed 6/16/00, effective 7/17/00. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.51.040,
43.51.045,
43.51.050,
43.51.060(1),
43.51.061 and
43.51.395. WSR 99-15-030, § 352-32-070, filed 7/13/99, effective 8/13/99. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.51.040(1), [43.51.]045, [43.51.]050, [43.51.]060(1), [43.51.]061 and [43.51.]395. WSR 96-01-078, § 352-32-070, filed 12/18/95, effective 1/18/96. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.51.040 and
43.51.180(7). WSR 92-19-098, § 352-32-070, filed 9/17/92, effective 10/18/92; Order 9, § 352-32-070, filed 11/24/70.]