National Park News

The National Park Service today released the Ross Lake National Recreation Area Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. “This final plan is the culmination of five years of planning and work with people that love the North Cascades,” said North Cascades National Park Complex Superintendent Chip Jenkins.

In response to the threats posed by invasive non-native plants on park lands, the National Park Service has developed an Environmental Assessment for Invasive Non-native Plant Management. The EA proposes to implement an Integrated Pest Management program to control invasive, non-native plants, restore impacted areas, and detect and prevent new infestations in the North Cascades National Park Complex. The EA is available for review and the NPS is seeking public comments.

North Cascades National Park is currently hosting resident artists in two different locations. The purpose of these residencies is to provide visitors, community members, and park staff opportunities to explore the meanings and significance of the park, its resources, and its people through art.

The National Park Service is pleased to announce that a new ten-year contract has been awarded to Guest Services, Inc. (GSI) for operation of the park-owned concession facilities in Stehekin, located within Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. GSI brings a wealth of experience in operation of visitor services; they currently provide lodging and food service for a variety of establishments throughout the country, including operation of concession facilities at Mount Rainier National Park and National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C.

The North Cascades National Park fire management team is preparing for a potential prescribed burn in the Stehekin Valley. The exact timing will be determined by environmental conditions, such as weather and fuel moisture. Visitors and residents should expect to see smoke. After ignition is complete, burn crews will begin mopping up to minimize smoke impacts, especially if the burn occurs before or during the first full week of October when businesses offer special visitor packages in conjunction with fall colors and the Harvest Festival.

Boaters planning to travel to Stehekin at the head of Lake Chelan need to bring with them enough fuel for a round trip. The public boat fueling station at the Stehekin marina is inoperable after an accident by the Lady of the Lake II destroyed the gangway and the fuel line that ran through it. A temporary gangway has been put in place and the automatic fuel shutoff system avoided any spillage into the lake. The National Park Service is in discussions with the Lake Chelan Boat Company about longer-term repairs.

Hiking season has begun in North Cascades National Park Complex as the temperatures warms and the snow level rises. Hikers on trails over 5000 feet should be prepared for snow and mountaineering conditions, but lower elevation backpacking trails and day hikes offer stunning views and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Hiking season has begun in North Cascades National Park Complex as the temperatures warms and the snow level rises. Hikers on trails over 5000 feet should be prepared for snow and mountaineering conditions, but lower elevation backpacking trails and day hikes offer stunning views and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The Stehekin Winter Ferry Dock is now complete and in use by the Lake Chelan Boat Company ferries transporting visitors and residents of Stehekin. The new dock provides universal access for all passengers traveling on Lake Chelan via the commercial ferry system. It is part of approximately $3 million dollars in work that has been completed by North Cascades National Park Complex to improve the accessibility of Stehekin facilities and services and is the most notable improvement to the Stehekin Landing in almost forty years.

The Stehekin Winter Ferry Dock is now complete and in use by the Lake Chelan Boat Company ferries transporting visitors and residents of Stehekin. The new dock provides universal access for all passengers traveling on Lake Chelan via the commercial ferry system. It is part of approximately $3 million dollars in work that has been completed by North Cascades National Park Complex to improve the accessibility of Stehekin facilities and services and is the most notable improvement to the Stehekin Landing in almost forty years.

With the North Cascades Scenic Highway opening this week, North Cascades National Park is also open and beginning to offer summer recreation and visitor services throughout the State Route 20 corridor. In addition to hiking, camping, family activities, and ranger programs, North Cascades National Park is excited to partner with the North Cascades Institute and Seattle City Light to run the Skagit Tours on Diablo Lake. This partnership will offer new adventures for the 2011 summer season.

With the North Cascades Scenic Highway opening this week, North Cascades National Park is also open and beginning to offer summer recreation and visitor services throughout the State Route 20 corridor. In addition to hiking, camping, family activities, and ranger programs, North Cascades National Park is excited to partner with the North Cascades Institute and Seattle City Light to run the Skagit Tours on Diablo Lake. This partnership will offer new adventures for the 2011 summer season.

The National Park Service is hosting a site visit for parties interested in providing commercial services within the Stehekin Valley at the head of Lake Chelan. Business entrepreneurs are invited to travel to Stehekin to tour the concession facilities in Stehekin on May 17, 2011. This site visit will allow potential bidders to experience the journey to Stehekin, view the facilities, and understand the services and activities offered through this concession contract.

The National Park Service is hosting a site visit for parties interested in providing commercial services within the Stehekin Valley at the head of Lake Chelan. Business entrepreneurs are invited to travel to Stehekin to tour the concession facilities in Stehekin on May 17, 2011. This site visit will allow potential bidders to experience the journey to Stehekin, view the facilities, and understand the services and activities offered through this concession contract.

North Cascades National Park Complex invites you to celebrate National Park Week by getting outside, being active, and helping to care for your park. Two family-friendly volunteer opportunities take place soon.

North Cascades National Park Complex invites you to celebrate National Park Week by getting outside, being active, and helping to care for your park. Two family-friendly volunteer opportunities take place soon.

Construction will begin Monday, February 21 on the Stehekin Winter Ferry Landing Improvement Project. This new dock will provide universal access for all passengers traveling up Lake Chelan via the commercial ferry system.

The National Park Service has scheduled two additional public meetings to discuss the Draft Stehekin River Corridor Implementation Plan Environmental Impact Statement and Land Protection Plan.

The National Park Service has scheduled two additional public meetings to discuss the Draft Stehekin River Corridor Implementation Plan Environmental Impact Statement and Land Protection Plan.

The National Park Service now manages the Buckner Orchard as part of North Cascades National Park Complex, but not without help from the Stehekin Community and the Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation. Recently the Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation donated a mower/shredder and tractor to the National Park Service to aid in orchard operations. The machinery shreds pruned branches allowing large amounts of brush to be processed in a shorter amount of time and the saving physical labor of hand piling. Members of the Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation also accomplished a great deal of volunteer work during a weekend at the Buckner Orchard in July.

The National Park Service now manages the Buckner Orchard as part of North Cascades National Park Complex, but not without help from the Stehekin Community and the Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation. Recently the Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation donated a mower/shredder and tractor to the National Park Service to aid in orchard operations. The machinery shreds pruned branches allowing large amounts of brush to be processed in a shorter amount of time and the saving physical labor of hand piling. Members of the Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation also accomplished a great deal of volunteer work during a weekend at the Buckner Orchard in July.

Students from International School in Bellevue, Bayside Montessori School in Bellingham, Immaculate Conception Regional School in Mount Vernon, Clear Lake Elementary School, and Concrete Middle School will host the broadcast component of Climate Challenge: North Cascades National Park on October 13 at 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. PDT. They will be joined by Jeff Corwin, the popular television personality and passionate conservationist, who will lead an activity with students from Whatcom Hills Waldorf School in Bellingham.

Students from International School in Bellevue, Bayside Montessori School in Bellingham, Immaculate Conception Regional School in Mount Vernon, Clear Lake Elementary School, and Concrete Middle School will host the broadcast component of Climate Challenge: North Cascades National Park on October 13 at 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. PDT. They will be joined by Jeff Corwin, the popular television personality and passionate conservationist, who will lead an activity with students from Whatcom Hills Waldorf School in Bellingham.

A nearly $1 million contract has been awarded by the National Park Service through a full and open competitive bidding process to Wesslen Construction, Inc. to provide universal access at the Stehekin Landing for all passengers traveling via the commercial ferry system. It is part of over $2 million dollars in work that has been completed or is planned to improve the accessibility of facilities and services in Stehekin and is the most notable improvement to the Stehekin Ferry Landing in almost forty years.

A nearly $1 million contract has been awarded by the National Park Service through a full and open competitive bidding process to Wesslen Construction, Inc. to provide universal access at the Stehekin Landing for all passengers traveling via the commercial ferry system. It is part of over $2 million dollars in work that has been completed or is planned to improve the accessibility of facilities and services in Stehekin and is the most notable improvement to the Stehekin Ferry Landing in almost forty years.

North Cascades National Park Ranger Kelly Bush is the recipient of the 2010 Pacific West Region Harry Yount Award which honors and recognizes outstanding national park rangers. She has been a park ranger at North Cascades National Park since 1979 and the Wilderness District Ranger since 2002. She is known for her skilled leadership and consistent high standards for visitor service. This is the second time that she has received this prestigious award – the other being in 2000.