Park management has decided to remove the marina at the Stehekin Landing from the National Park Service concession contract with North Cascades Stehekin Lodge and to administer it under the Lake Chelan Federal Dock Site Fee Program. This decision was reached after discussions with the NPS concessioner and the U.S. Forest Service. In addition, meetings were held with the local recreational boating community, and public comment was received during the past winter.

Boat gas sales, fishing boat rentals, and water transportation of visitors will continue to be provided under the NPS concession contract or by Special Use Permit. Both agencies along with the affected public agreed that having all the docks provided by the NPS and USFS on Lake Chelan administered under the same program will simplify management and administration for the public.

Public comments indicated that long-term moorage for Stehekin residents was an issue unique to the Stehekin Marina. Therefore, park management has developed a plan to balance casual recreational boater needs while providing long-term moorage for Stehekin residents, and maintaining fair and meaningful fees for all groups.

• Visitor use season for the Stehekin Marina: May 1, 1999, to October 31, 1999.
• Off-season: November 1, 1999, to April 30, 1999.
• Fees: $5 per night or $40 per seasonal pass. Daily and seasonal permits may be purchased in Stehekin at the Stehekin Lodge store or MacGregor Mountain Outdoor Supply.
• Use limits: The maximum length of stay for the Stehekin Marina will be a total of 14 days during the visitor use season. There will be no limit for use during the off-season for private boaters.

The National Park Service will issue a maximum of 10 Special Use Permits solely for the purpose of exceeding the 14-day limit at the Stehekin Marina.

• Only individuals who are residents or property owners in Stehekin will be eligible to apply for a Special Use Permit.
• Eligible permittees must show proof that their vessels have a valid Washington State boat registration.
• The Special Use Permit will carry a $100 administration fee.
• The Special Use Permit will be valid from May 1, 1999, through October 31, 1999.
• Special Use Permits will be issued on a year-by-year basis; all Stehekin residents or landowners interested in long-term use of the Stehekin Marina must re-apply annually.
• No personal items may be left on the dock when the boat is not present.

A permit will not guarantee that a slip will be available in the Stehekin Marina; however, when slips are available, permit holders may exceed the 14-day maximum stay limit during the visitor use season.

Application for a Special Use Permit for the Stehekin Marina can be made in person, by mail or by phone to the Stehekin Ranger Station.

Stehekin Ranger Station
P.O. Box 7
Stehekin, WA 98852

Phone: 360/856-6055, extension 10 or 12

Applications must be postmarked no later than April 16, 1999; phone calls must be received no later than that date.

If the number of applicants exceeds ten, permittees will be selected through a drawing on April 19, 1999, in Stehekin. All applicants will be notified of the results. Successful applicants must claim their permit and pay their fee no later than May 15, 1999, at the Stehekin Ranger Station. If the permit is not claimed and the fee not paid by that date, the permit will be issued to the next applicant on the list of those drawn.

If the number of applicants is less than ten, applicants will be notified and permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until all ten permits are filled.

This plan has been developed under the guidelines of the U.S.Forest Service Recreation Fee Demonstration Project. It will be evaluated after one year and may be modified where appropriate.

Approved:

William F. Paleck
Superintendent
March 26, 1999