Wednesday, October 20, 2010

What about the NCNP?

     In addition to impacts on the USFS, expanding the boundaries of the North Cascades National Park would also have impacts on the existing NCNP management situation. What kind of impacts could those be?
     Like any other national park, the NCNP has its budgetary deficits, backlogged maintenance issues and other administrative challenges. The park units themselves are quite large, plus there is the additional oversight of the entire NCNP Complex, which includes the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan national recreation areas. Administratively, park infrastructure and personnel are spread out in wide distances: from the way-out-of the-park headquarters in Sedro-Woolley to Glacier, Stehekin, Marblemount and Newhalem. Expanding the park boundaries eastward along with constructing a visitor center in the Methow Valley would stretch these distances, geographically- and administratively-speaking, even further. Obviously this would require additional federal dollars, funding which is already lacking for the park currently, yet still coming from the same pot of taxpayer revenue.
     With an expanded area to cover, the NCNP would undoubtedly have some growth and continual oversight headaches. An expanded National Park Service presence, including enforcement and maintenance, would cost more park money and demand more park resources along with the task of incorporating the new lands into the current management plan, especially with the recreation exceptions that AALP proponents have discussed in regard to current recreation usage that conflict with the park's current rules.
     The east side lands along the Highway 20 corridor provide ready access and popular spots for the public to enjoy. Use in these areas would likely additionally increase because of the new national park status. This increase in visitation numbers would require similarly increased park oversight and management undoubtedly equating more regulation.
     It appears that the NCNP has its hands full now overseeing such a vast complex with its various issues and challenges. Adding extra acreage that has been under forest service jurisdiction for a long time seems like an unduly burden that is neither desired or needed. But, again, one can inquire with NCNP personnel as to what their viewpoint is regarding the notion of expanding the park.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Additional quotes

Park expansion proponents want the public to believe that they are recreation-friendly. This apparently depends on what type of recreation meets their approval:

"N3C opposes all motorized recreation on Ross Lake."
– From NCCC letter (Sept. 30, 2010) to North Cascades National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins regarding the Ross Lake National Recreation Area general management plan.

"... hunting should be banned in all areas of the RLNRA."
– Same letter from above.

"And so it is with the profusion of high tech ski gear that the back country is not as protected as it used to be, even 10 years ago. I see there is a new usage challenge to consider as we work to protect and enhance our North Cascades"
– NCCC board member Tom Hammond, July, 2010. 

Monday, October 11, 2010

What about the USFS?

     If the North Cascades National Park were to be expanded, particularly on the east side of the crest, many acres of public land that have been managed for a long time by the United States Forest Service would then be under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
     It isn't hard to fathom that the folks at the Methow Ranger District may not want to see these lands along Highway 20 as well as several major tributaries near the Methow Valley turned over to the NPS. These lands are a major highlight, practically the crown jewel, of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, whether from a biological/habitat point of view or that of tourism and recreation.
     The management of these lands have long provided good, federal jobs for community members in the Methow Valley, both full time and seasonal positions. The same jobs that park expansionists say would come to the area if NPS moved in. So, it is plausible that there would be some personnel reduction within the Methow District if these forest service lands were designated national park lands.   
     What other impacts may occur?
     The timing of the park expansion proposal really could not have been worse given the long-term management plan revision process the OWNF is currently undertaking. Losing a vast chunk of prime acreage certainly isn't a consideration of the plan.
     Revenue loss would occur from commercial outfitters that utilize these recreational-rich lands and annually pay the USFS  a percentage of their gross profit.    
     The USFS would lose a lot of public recognition with their presence in being replaced by NPS management along such a visible and important tourism corridor like the North Cascades Highway. Their presence, at a time when the agency striving to impress its existence in managing these public lands, would certainly be diminished.

     It is a safe bet that many locals involved with the USFS do not want to see the park expanded using national forest lands. But don't take NOPE's word on this matter, ask some USFS employees what they think.