Your PUD News Release

Reminder: Sage Hills Trail closed until April 1

Chelan County PUD
News Release
3/9/2010

Deer and other wildlife are finding much-needed feed in the grass and shrubs appearing along with spring-like weather in the hills west of Wenatchee. With increasing numbers of deer gathering at lower elevations, the seasonal closure of Sage Hills Trail that passes through Chelan County PUD’s wildlife preserve is more vital than ever.

Last week PUD staff counted the most deer in the wildlife preserve of anytime this winter. They have also seen more trespassing by people ignoring the closure, said Von Pope, PUD wildlife program manager. The animals are already stressed from the winter and intrusions into the habitat make an already difficult situation worse, Pope said. About a third of the popular Sage Hills Trail, managed by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, crosses the PUD wildlife preserve. The trail is closed to people until April 1.

“Protecting wildlife is why the Sage Hills Trail is closed from Dec. 1 until April 1 every year,” Pope added. “We work closely with the Land Trust and state wildlife officials to do what’s best for the animals.”

Chelan PUD, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust coordinate the winter trail closure to protect wintering mule deer and other wildlife. The PUD owns about 960 acres in the hills west of Wenatchee and manages the area as a wildlife preserve as required by its federal license for Rock Island Dam.

Until the Sage Hills Trail reopens on April 1, hikers and mountain bikers are encourage to use the Apple Capital Loop Trail, Saddle Rock and the Jacobsen Preserve trails.

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For more information contact Von Pope, Chelan County PUD wildlife program manager, at (509) 661- 4625, or von.pope@chelanpud.org .

Kimberlee Craig
Chelan County PUD
Public Information Officer
(509) 661-4320, office
(509) 679-6858, mobile
kimberlee.craig@chelanpud.org
www.chelanpud.org