Puget Sound Energy and PacifiCorp joint written permission hunting and access program
Questions and answers to commonly asked questions
Can I access land in PSE's Hopkins Ridge and PacifiCorp's Marengo Wind Facilities?
Yes, only with written permission. To get permission, complete the online application form on either utility's Web site. You will need to go to The Last Resort Camp Store to complete the registration process and to pick up the final papers you will need to keep with you while on the wind site. You only need to register with one utility to access both areas.
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What will I need to be able to hunt on wind project properties?
First complete the application form, either online or in person at The Last Resort Camp Store. If completed online, you will receive a confirmation e-mail instructing you to pick up final paperwork at The Last Resort before hunting. Required paperwork includes a signed Access Permission Agreement, and a hanging vehicle tag which The Last Resort will issue once the paperwork is complete. The hanging vehicle tag must be visible in your vehicle at all times while in the access area.
In addition to these two papers, while hunting you also will be required to carry a map of participating properties; one is included in the hunting access brochure for each wind facility area. All in your hunting party must have signed agreements and a hanging vehicle tag, with the exception of minors under 18 who are not hunting. Minors under 18 years are required to have a guardian signature to access the properties. Minors between the ages of 12-18 years old who are hunting must have their own Access Permission Agreement form that includes a guardian's signature.
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Where can I hunt?
Public access to lands within most of the Hopkins Ridge and Marengo Wind Facilities is available, but there are special rules in place to ensure the safety of hunters, local residents and wind facility workers. This area is marked on the maps. Please study the maps and keep them with you to ensure you are within a hunting zone. Signs will be placed in many locations, but the maps are still your best guide. The detail maps include GPS coordinates to help you locate your position. The areas lie mostly on private land and it is a privilege to access these lands for hunting, bird watching or other purposes.
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Why are some areas open to access and others restricted?
PSE and PacifiCorp lease land from private landowners and the State of Washington to operate the Hopkins Ridge and Marengo Wind Facilities. Many of the landowners have a contract with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that allows controlled public access if the public agrees to respect the privilege and follows special rules on these lands. These lands are identified in green on the Wind Facility Area detail maps as Access with Written Permission (AWWP). These lands are open to the public after written permission is given.
Other landowners privately manage access and hunting on their own land and additional hunting permission is unavailable. These areas are marked on the Wind Facility Area detail maps in red diagonal lines as Written Permission Unavailable (WPU). These areas are not open to public hunting. If you see hunters in these areas or hear gunfire coming from these areas, it is because certain hunters have received landowner permission.
Some private landowners within the wind project boundary do not want their land accessed. These lands are marked on the Wind Facility Area detail maps in orange as Access Prohibited (AP). No access or hunting is allowed in these areas.
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Why do I need to stop at The Last Resort if I’ve completed the application online?
At the store, you will be asked to complete the application process by filling in your birth date and drivers license information, and signing the Access Permission Agreement form. State game officials and local law enforcement also require that hunters show picture identification if over 18 years old. Finally, a hanging vehicle tag will be issued and the corresponding number added to your Access Permission Agreement. Each hunter will receive a copy to keep with them while on the properties, and a copy will be kept on file.
Store hours at The Last Resort can vary seasonally, so plan ahead if an early morning or late evening hunting trip is planned. Contact the store by phone: 509-843-1556 or visit http://www.thelastresortrv.com/.
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What are the rules within the Wind Facility areas?
The rules that apply while hunting within the boundary of the facilities are spelled out in the Access Permission Agreement form that you will carry with you while hunting.
Puget Sound Energy Hopkins Ridge and PacifiCorp Marengo Wind Facilities hunting rules
Violation of any of the rules that follow will result in loss of all access privileges and possibly trespassing violations.
- NO HUNTING during wind turbine construction periods or posted closure periods.
- NO ACCESS of any kind within 300 feet (100 yards) of the wind turbines, buildings or substations.
- NO ACCESS of any kind within 1000 feet (333 yards) of the wind turbines from the 3rd Sunday of November through the 3rd Sunday of February due to potential icing conditions.
- NO POINTING OR SHOOTING OF ANY WEAPON at a target of any kind with people, wind turbines, overhead power lines, splice boxes, J-BOXES, maintenance vehicles, signs, maintenance facilities, or substation in your scope of view. NO shooting from vehicles, across roads, or from any maintained portion of wind facility access roads.
- NO VEHICLE TRAFFIC of any kind on Lessors’ property except on normally traveled COUNTY roads. Driving on wind-turbine access roads is not allowed. This includes operation of OFF-ROAD VEHICLES (ORVs) or ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (ATVs).
- NO HORSES OR PACK ANIMALS are allowed on Lessors’ property unless previously authorized.
- DO NOT BLOCK ACCESS gates or entrances.
- All hunters must abide by Washington State Game Rules and Regulations.
- All access may be canceled on Lessors' land whenever it is deemed necessary by Lessors or Lessees.
- No overnight camping/parking or outdoor fires on Lessors' property unless previously authorized.
- HANGING VEHICLE TAGS must be clearly displayed and visible from outside of the vehicle while accessing Lessors' property.
- YOUR ACCESS PERMISSION AGREEMENT must be carried on you while hunting within the Puget Sound Energy Hopkins Ridge and PacifiCorp Marengo Wind Facility areas.
To help assure continued access to these lands, please report any violations of rules or laws to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office 509-382-1100. OR if an emergency, please dial 911.
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Can my children come?
Yes, but only those ages 12 or older who have completed a hunters safety course are allowed to hunt. Those under 18 also will need a guardian signature on the Access Permission Agreement form. More details are in the access rules and regulations above.
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Where can I download the current Hunting/Access maps and information?
Please follow the Hopkins Ridge Maps & Video link in the box at the upper right to view the video or download the maps in two sizes.
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A letter from an appreciative visitor to the Hopkins Ridge Wind Facility
Hello,
I'd just like to thank you at Puget Sound Energy for the availability to bow hunt near the Hopkins Ridge wind project. Myself and others like me might not have had the great opportunities that we've had if PSE, via the farmers participation, did not let hunters enter the project areas. I have only hunted for three years now and thankfully, because of you, the last two years could be in the same place as the first. I think it's great not only to continue to allow lands to be hunted but more importantly to conserve fossil fuels. Companies like the one you work at strive to keep the planet clean. How great that with such a goal they still find time to keep people happy. Thank you again.
Signed,
An appreciative visitor
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