Chelan Mayor McCardle issues proclamation of support
by Dennis Rahm
The National Park Service earlier this year announced they would not be hiring Park Ranger staff for the summer season in Stehekin. The decision has not been well received, and many individuals and organizations are reaching out to the Interior Department asking for the policy to be reversed.
If the decision holds, this will mark the first time in 55 years that the area has been without park rangers to interact with the public. The decision also means the popular Golden West Visitor Center will not open for the summer season.
Chelan Mayor Erin McCardle read a proclamation into the record at the Tuesday night City Council meeting indicating the importance of NPS staffing in the communities of Stehekin and Chelan. The proclamation also encourages the Interior Department and NPS to ensure that the park meets the obligation to fulfill its mission and fully staff Stehekin this summer.
An earlier petition drive initiated by the North Cascades Conservation Council has garnered close to 800 signatures. The petition asks Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to direct the National Park Service to staff the remote region within the North Cascades National Park Complex.
NPS has indicated recent departures of full time employees have left them without available rangers to staff Stehekin. Regarding planned operations this summer, NPS has indicated information and interpretive materials for the area will be available online as well as on bulletin boards and at wayside locations throughout the Stehekin Valley. Backcountry permits and campground reservations will also need to be obtained online.
Long time Stehekin Valley resident Cliff Courtney has a suggestion on how cooperation between government and valley might alleviate part of the problem.
Courtney is mostly disappointed by the fact the Golden West Visitor Center will be closed to the public. He says thousand of dollars have been invested recently into the center including new exhibits that the public has a right to see.
Golden West Visitor Center
Courtney says he would like to see the residents of the area and the Parks Service engage in dialogue to explore partnership options similar to what is in place for transportation and EMS services in Stehekin.
Courtney said,” at the very least there should be staff, not necessarily rangers, to ensure that the visitor center is open to the public so all the exhibits can be enjoyed by the public”.
The City of Chelan proclamation issued at their most recent council meeting is expected to be sent to the Interior Department and NPS. Below is the complete text of the proclamation from the City.
