News Release

Public Input Sought on Establishment of the Spacewall Climbing Management Area

Date: May 26, 2021
Contact: Rob Burrows

Sedro Woolley, WA – The public is invited to comment on a preliminary proposal to establish and open the Spacewall Climbing Management Area near the town of Newhalem in the Skagit Gorge. 

Per the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), North Cascades National Park Service Complex intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the effects of the proposal and other alternatives.  The Proposed Action would include establishing and opening the Spacewall Climbing Management Area to sport climbing day use. Other preliminary alternatives include: 1) A Restoration Alternative, where the user developed trail and climbing hardware leading to and at the Spacewall would be removed and remediated and the area would remain closed to climbing; 2) A No Action Alternative, where the user developed trail and climbing hardware leading to and at the Spacewall would remain and the area would continue to be closed to climbing. 

The purpose of this action is to protect the natural and cultural resources through the active management of sport climbing activities in the Spacewall area. 

Feedback on the proposed action, environmental issues that should be addressed, other potential alternatives, and sources of data that should be considered by the NPS in the EA are requested. Specific feedback on the proposed action as it relates to visitor experience is also sought.  

To review project information and provide electronic comments, go to https://parkplanning.nps.gov/SpacewallScope  

Comments will be accepted June 1-30, 2021. Hardcopy comments can be mailed to: Superintendent, 810 State Route 20, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284. 

A virtual public meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 5-7 pm PDT.  Additional details are available at the project website.  If you need reasonable accommodations to attend the meeting, please email the contact above as soon as possible. You may join the meeting on your computer or mobile device as early as 4:30 pm at the following link:  https://doilearn2.webex.com/doilearn2/j.php?MTID=m952d43eca16bf49ae98a24ff79802086. Alternate audio is available for a toll at this number: 415-527-5035 

Following the 30-day review, alternatives will be refined and required environmental analysis completed. The EA will be provided for public review in late summer 2021.