ROSS LAKE

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Ross Lake National Recreation Area Washington

History of Public Involvement

Public scoping began on August 16, 2002 and initially ended on September 13, 2002. After receiving a last minute request for information (implying comments would follow), the period was extended to September 29, 2002. Six letters of comment were received (two of the letters were sent via e-mail). Two letters commended the NPS for avoiding construction in wilderness, but contained no substantive comments. The remaining four letters provided the substantive comments below.

General comments:

• "Decisions and analyses [should] concentrate on day hiking facilities that might access viewpoints, etc. with minimal disruption to natural values and wildlife"
• Limit trail development to "old roads and other previously disturbed areas"
• Avoid construction in pristine areas such as "deep wilderness or riparian zones"
• "Only consider new developments outside of wilderness"
• Use FERC monies to fund wilderness stewardship and administrative functions as opposed to development projects. Examples: assess trends in wilderness quality; fund a seasonal wilderness ranger; fund skiers to check snow course sites as opposed to helicopters.

Rejected Alternatives:

• The only trail comparable in intent to the Desolation-Hozomeen trail is the Ruby Mountain Trail. Redesignate Ruby Mountain Trail as a Preliminary Alternative. Specific parameters of the trail (distance, grade) should be quantified. Suggests trail would lessen impacts. Requests more specificity in describing potential wildlife impacts.
• Challenge to Little Beaver-Canada rejection as an alternative: "Be specific as to why the recreational advantage of a 75-mile Ross Lake Loop trail is insufficient.
• Point of note: Rejection of Little Beaver-Canada trail would mirror the Okanogan National Forest decision to keep its wilderness on east side of RLNRA trailless.
• Specify location and frequency of use of smuggling routes. Implication: smuggling not a substantive issue for rejecting Little Beaver-Canada Trail.

Alternatives Considered for Detailed Analysis

Desolation-Hozomeen Trail (No Action Alternative)

• Challenge to preliminary finding that grizzlies would be impacted by Desolation-Hozomeen trail construction. Implies that potential bear-human conflicts not an impact topic.
• Challenge to preliminary finding that other medium to large mammals (grizzly, wolverine, and other rare spp.) would be impacted and/or are declining. Provide empirical data on population trends in impact analysis.
• Likelihood of grizzly bear recovery is high given restoration efforts in BC. Strong justification for not constructing trail.

Happy Creek Falls Trail:

• Reject Happy Creek Falls trail: (1) no relation to Skagit River project; (2) highly sensitive cultural area and increased visitation would cause loss of artifacts

Panther Creek Trailhead Parking Lot:

• Reject Panther Creek Parking lot: seldom-used trail and the resource damage required for construction (to overcome terrain constraints) would not be worth the benefit to access. Encourage access to 4^th of July Pass via Thunder Creek trail

Roland Point Loop:

• Reject Roland Point Loop: (1) already trails in area so trail would receive little use, (2) unacceptable potential for cultural resource impacts.

Hozomeen Improvements (road realignment, lakeside trail, new amphitheater):

• The name "Winnebago Flats" is a commercial name that should be eliminated from administrative use.
• Use (hike, bike, and horse) of the proposed Lakeshore trail should be estimated quantitatively.
• Hozomeen Road realignment: the road should not be paved. Paving would alter the rustic character of the campground and could increase safety risk by allowing vehicles to move at higher speeds.
• New Amphitheater at Hozomeen: Per the Hozomeen Interpretive Plan, the amphitheater should be built at International Point to (1) enhance effectiveness of the international interpretive program, (2) best place for reducing mosquito exposure (no viable alternative locations on U.S. side).

Newhalem Creek Boardwalk:

• The trail should showcase the falls.

Desolation Trailhead Improvements:

• Desolation Trailhead Boat Landing: lack of facilities has led to heavy damage. A landing area with an interpretive kiosk should be built, but no dock or campground should be constructed due to sensitive cultural resources.

List of Preparers and Contributors

The following personnel are all employees of the National Park Service, North Cascade National Park:

Prepared by:

Roy Zipp, Natural Resource Specialist
Dan Allen, Environmental Protection Specialist
Cathi Jones, Biologist

Contributors:

Craig Holmquist, Trails Maintenance Supervisor
Tom Belcher, Facility Manager
Roger Christophersen, Wildlife Biologist
Anne Braaten, GIS Specialist and Bear Biologist
Mignonne Bivin, Plant Ecologist
Bob Mierendorf, Archeologist
Gerry Cook, Maintenance Foreman
Tim Manns, Chief of Interpretation
Jesse Kennedy, Cultural Resource Specialist
Kelly Bush, Wilderness District Ranger
John Madden, Skagit District Ranger
Bob Kuntz, Wildlife Biologist

List of Recipients (Agencies, Tribes and Organizations)

City of Seattle, City Light Department

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
U.S.D.A. Forest Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Sauk-SuiattleTribe
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
Upper Skagit Tribe

Backcountry Horsemen of Washington
Huxley College
Mountaineers
National Parks and Conservation Association
North Cascades Conservation Council
North Cascades Institute
Northwest Ecosystem Alliance
Sierra Club
Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission
The Nature Conservancy
Washington Wilderness Coalition
Wilderness Society
Wilderness Watch