Stehekin River Plan Comment Period Extended

Date: March 6, 2008
Contact: Jon Riedel, 360 854-7330
Contact: Kerry Olson, 360 854-7302

North Cascades National Park Service Complex has extended the deadline for public comments for the Stehekin River Corridor Implementation Plan within Lake Chelan National Recreation Area until March 31, 2008. Public input is being sought as the first step in the planning and environmental impact analysis process to determine future management of lands in the lower Stehekin River corridor within Lake Chelan National Recreation Area in response to repeated flooding.

Three public meetings were held in January as part of the public scoping process. People are currently invited to submit comments in writing that identify concerns and action items, which will help the National Park Service determine the scope of the plan and EIS.

Information gathered from the three public meetings, written comments, other agencies, National Park Service staff, non-profit organizations, and community groups will be considered in the development of draft alternative actions and draft implementation plan. A second newsletter will be distributed in summer 2008 that will contain these preliminary alternatives developed and analyzed as part of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement process. Another public comment period will follow.

For more detailed information about the Stehekin River Corridor Implementation Plan, the plan’s schedule, and the Stehekin River, please read the SRCIP Newsletter #1, which can be found at http://www.nps.gov/noca/parknews/newsreleases or http://parkplanning.nps.gov/noca.

Written comments must be postmarked or submitted via the internet, fax or hand delivery by March 31, 2008 by any of the following methods:

Online: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/noca (Select "Stehekin River Corridor Implementation Plan")

Mail or hand-delivery: Superintendent, North Cascades National Park Service Complex

810 State Route 20

Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284-1239

Fax: [phone]