The Montesano City Council voted Tuesday (Jan. 28) to lock the gates on the city forests.

Ordinance 1627, which concerns motorized vehicle entry into city owned forestland, was passed unanimously.

Gates across roads into the city-owned forests will now be locked all the time. Entry is available to anybody, including people who do not live within the city limits, as long as they sign a form committing to a code of conduct rules, city forester Loren Hiner said. The forest remains open to hikers, bikers, walkers and foot traffic.

Permits to enter the forest are valid for two weeks from the date of issue. Permit holders will use a key to open the gates. If the city needs to close the forest for any reason at any time, it can do so by changing the locks.

During times of increased fire vulnerability, the city has the option to block all access the the forests. Last year, the forests were closed to limit dangers from Independence Day fireworks.

In July, Grays Harbor News Group reported that the city was locking the gates and developing a policy about how Monte residents could use the land.

Prior to that, the city said it had seen an increase in vandalism and the felling of trees, sometimes by people shooting at them, on the forestland.

Mayor Vini Samuel said the ability for anybody to drive into the city-owned land had “allowed destruction of signs, infrastructure, paths and trees. We had the first forest fire in over a decade. While the majority of users are respectful of the forest, the few who are not create substantial damage.”

Hiner said the problems had abated since the gates were locked, but the city has seen in increase in illegal dumping at the gates.