"... NCNP is largely “invisible” and unvisited. This has dramatically reduced its contribution to the small town and rural economy surrounding it." – AALP Economic Study
Aside from seeking greater protection, warranted or not, for public lands surrounding the North Cascades Highway by including them in an expanded North Cascades National Park, the North Cascades Conservation Council is apparently looking to squeeze more money out of the park for the nearby rural communities. If you look at comments and conclusions made throughout the NCCC-sponsored Economic Study, the NCNP, as it is now, is clearly not producing desirable financial benefits, especially when compared to the two other national parks in Washington.
"If the national park component is considered by itself, i.e. without the two national recreation areas associated with it, in 2008 it [NCNP] had the lowest estimated local economic impact of any national park outside of Alaska." – AALP Economic Study
It seems that 42 years later after the park's creation, the group primarily responsible for that monumental feat is now concerned that NCNP isn't pumping enough money into the economies of the communities on both sides of the crest. Interestingly, when the park was created, there wasn't much, if any, concern over the economic health of these same rural areas.
This a disconcerting stance, viewing a national park as an economic generator, and that a park like NCNP has this "unrealized potential" to be tapped into. This sentiment, unfortunately, is not uncommon in the conservation world.
Here is a quote from a Seattle staff member of the National Park Conservation Association in regard to garnering support for converting Ross Lake National Recreation Area land into NCNP:
"Along with protecting our national heritage, national parks are important economic engines. Across the country, national parks pump nearly $12 billion into park gateway economies and sustain hundreds and thousands of jobs. In Washington, Olympic and Mount Ranier National Parks represent roughly $150 million of the state's economy. Meanwhile, North Cascades pump $15 million into surrounding communities. North Cascades National Park has a minor impact upon Washington in part because most visitors who travel along Highway 20 never enter into the park proper. Rather, Highway 20 takes them through the Ross Lake NRA with views of the park in the distance. Only the most hardy who take to the trails actually enter the park"
"Along with protecting our national heritage, national parks are important economic engines. Across the country, national parks pump nearly $12 billion into park gateway economies and sustain hundreds and thousands of jobs. In Washington, Olympic and Mount Ranier National Parks represent roughly $150 million of the state's economy. Meanwhile, North Cascades pump $15 million into surrounding communities. North Cascades National Park has a minor impact upon Washington in part because most visitors who travel along Highway 20 never enter into the park proper. Rather, Highway 20 takes them through the Ross Lake NRA with views of the park in the distance. Only the most hardy who take to the trails actually enter the park"
The last sentence is especially ironic as the NPCA (as well as the NCCC) is opposed to the rerouting and rebuilding of the Stehekin River Road which would allow, as it had for decades, the less able or hardy to access and experience the North Cascades much easier.
The North Cascades National Park is unique in many ways. Much of the usage of the park is dictated by seasonal weather conditions, its remoteness that is such a major part of its character and, of course, accessibility issues. (It should be pointed out that in entire 60-plus page AALP Economic Study, not once is it mentioned that the North Cascade Highway is closed in the wintertime for several months; perhaps the consultants from Montana did not know this.) That NCNP doesn't generate the visitation and economic numbers that other national parks do certainly shouldn't be seen as a deficiency nor a supporting reason to radically change the park boundaries.
Especially since it can be readily pointed out that visitation along the North Cascades Highway and the resulting economic boost for the adjacent rural towns appears quite healthy and continues to grow modestly. This was especially evident during an extremely busy Labor Day Weekend.
Especially since it can be readily pointed out that visitation along the North Cascades Highway and the resulting economic boost for the adjacent rural towns appears quite healthy and continues to grow modestly. This was especially evident during an extremely busy Labor Day Weekend.
