Inslee’s First Request Bill Raises Concerns

News Release

February 1, 2013

Inslee’s First Request Bill Raises Concerns

Battles loom over controversial $5 Billion Yakima Water Plan

Contact:

1. •Chris Maykut (President, Friends of Bumping Lake) chris@friendsofbumpinglake.org   206.818-9778
2. •Brock Evans (President, Endangered Species Coalition) bevans_esc2004@yahoo.com 202.425-1517
3. •Karl Forsgaard (President, North Cascades Conservation Council karlforsgaard@comcast.net  206.330-8966
4. •Rick McGuire (President, Alpine Lakes Protection Society) rckmcguire@gmail.com  206.363-6954

Today conservationists expressed deep disappointment and anger regarding newly inaugurated Governor Jay Inslee’s first act as governor.  On Tuesday, Governor Inslee announced the submission of his first request bill to the legislature, a funding request for the Yakima Basin Integrated Water Management Plan (Yakima Plan).  The plan promises such benefits as temporary jobs, irrigation security, environmental restoration, and increased fish runs.  However, many local, state-wide, and national conservation groups have opposed elements of the Yakima Plan as it is written because of two highly controversial elements: the construction of two massive dams and the designation of treasured National Forest lands as National Recreation Areas for off-road vehicles.

“We are incredibly disappointed with Governor Inslee’s quick support of the Yakima Plan, particularly in light of the ongoing opposition that has been expressed by a growing number of conservation organizations,” said Chris Maykut, President of Friends of Bumping Lake.  “There is so much good that can come of the political attention being directed to the Yakima Valley right now, but spending $5 billion dollars and destroying ancient forests, critical habitat for endangered species, and beloved recreational areas is not worth what we as Washingtonians get out of the deal.” 

Two massive irrigation dams are at the center of the Yakima Plan. One of them, at Bumping Lake adjacent to the William O. Douglas Wilderness, would inundate and destroy a popular new National Forest campground, a thousand acres of ancient forest, 15 historic cabins, trails, and access roads to popular hiking spots.  In October 2011, the Alpine Lakes Protection Society, California Water Impact Network, Endangered Species Coalition, Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs, North Cascades Conservation Council, Washington State Chapter of the Sierra Club, Western Lands Project, and Western Watersheds Project sent a letter to the Washington Congressional delegation opposing a new Bumping Lake dam.

In 2008, the Bureau of Reclamation studied the other project, Wymer Dam, north of Yakima, and found that it had a taxpayer benefit-cost ration of 31 cents of positive economic impact for every dollar that would be spent on it.

The Yakima Plan’s current proposal for two new National Recreation Areas within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest with 40,000 acres for off-road vehicle use is also meeting with stiff opposition within the conservation community.  Twenty-nine organizations signed letters in March 2012 regarding the proposed National Recreation Area designation, which poses numerous threats to the ecosystem, watersheds, and non-motorized recreational opportunities.  Despite numerous roundtable meetings throughout the fall and winter in the community about the NRAs, none of these 29 organizations has become supporters of the Yakima Plan.

“At a time when we as a state and a nation continue to struggle to fund basic social programs, keep state parks open, and redefine what our financial priorities are as a society, why would we support spending billions from our state economy on wasteful water projects?” said Maykut.  “Many if not all of the goals of the Yakima Plan can be achieved through legislation, mandatory conservation and water marketing, and using a thoughtful approach when it comes to the important issues that Yakima irrigators face.  As we saw with the Elwha Dam removal last year, the era of dam-building and ecosystem destruction should be over.”

Links:

1. •Friends of Bumping Lake
   
2. •Yakima Water Future
   

Welcome to NCNP, Karen Taylor-Goodrich!

Pacific West Region News Release
For Immediate Release
Date:  January 30, 2013
Contact: Craig Dalby, 206-220-4261

SAN FRANCISCO – Karen Taylor-Goodrich has been selected as the new superintendent of North Cascades National Park Service Complex in Washington State.  Taylor-Goodrich has been the superintendent at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California for the last three years, and will transition to her new duties at North Cascades in March.  She replaces the former superintendent at North Cascades, Chip Jenkins, who left the park last year to become the National Park Service Pacific West Deputy Regional Director in Seattle.
 
"Karen is a proven leader who has successfully managed complex and controversial issues for the National Park Service at the local, national, and international levels.  Karen's collaborative management style and strong background in visitor and resource protection and management, especially in wilderness and wildland fire, will be a great asset to the North Cascades," said Pacific West Regional Director Chris Lehnertz.
 
Taylor-Goodrich previously served as the Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection in the National Park Service headquarters office in Washington, D.C., and has more than 30 years of experience directing a wide variety of operational programs at Yosemite National Park (California) and Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (Washington), Cumberland Island National Seashore (Georgia), and National Capital Parks-East (Washington, D.C. and Maryland).   Her extensive international work experience includes advancing protected area management projects in Tanzania, sister park agreements in Cambodia and China, a trans-boundary wilderness management agreement between Mexico, Canada and the U.S., and international government manager forums for several World Wilderness Congress agendas.  Taylor-Goodrich received a Bachelor of Science degree in geography from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, with additional graduate work in natural resources management.
 
North Cascades National Park Service Complex was established in 1968, and includes both Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas.  The North Cascades have long been known as the North American Alps.  The area encompasses outstanding wilderness resources and diverse ecosystems amidst steep, jagged peaks, deep valleys, glaciers, and cascading waterfalls, as well as significant Native American cultural sites.
 
In accepting the position, Taylor-Goodrich said, "I'm excited about the many opportunities and challenges the North Cascades Complex presents.  Returning to work and live in the Pacific Northwest has been a long-time goal, and I look forward to working closely with the park staff, local communities, park partners, and our interagency and Canadian colleagues to protect and conserve this very special region."
 
-NPS-

--
Dee Sousa
National Park Service
Pacific West Regional Office
333 Bush Street
Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94104-2828
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Phone: 415-623-2104
Fax: 415-623-2380
E-Mail: dee_sousa@nps.gov

Tribute to Harvey Manning on Vimeo

Many thanks to our friends at Crest Pictures for posting this wonderful tribute to longtime NCCC leader Harvey Manning and his legacy:



A Harvey Manning Tribute from Crest Pictures on Vimeo.

DNR Snoqualmie Corridor plan taking shape (1)

As the high country is quite thoroughly snowed-in now, our thoughts turn to lower elevation lands and their future. In this and future posts, we'll be discussing the DNR's Snoqualmie Corridor plan with excerpts from Mike Town's article in the current issue of The Wild Cascades.We'll be moving from west to east. First some background.

The Washington Department of Natural Resources' (DNR)“Snoqualmie Corridor” planning effort is finishing an active summer of investigation into new trail and recreation opportunities on the 53,000 acres of DNR-managed lands comprising the Snoqualmie Corridor. NCCC is represented on the 17-member committee of interested citizens helping DNR with this task in these areas north and south of I-90 from Issaquah to east of North Bend.

Recreation demand is guaranteed to be high in these areas close to Seattle.

Tiger Mountain

This heavily used area with many trails is not a main focus, as it has already been the subject of past planning efforts, but the committee is seeking ways to connect it with areas farther east, particularly the Raging River area.

Raging River

Most of these 10,000 acres located southeast of Highway 18 were recently acquired by DNR. It is a “blank slate” in terms of recreation, without any trails. Logged twice and laced with old logging roads, it is still an attractive area, with plenty of room for hiker, bike and horse trails, and mostly free from clay and other unstable soils that are a problem in some other areas. The Raging River is a tributary of the Snoqualmie River, joining it just above Fall City. It has no barriers to anadromous fish, with salmon and steelhead ascending it virtually to the headwaters.

One challenge here will be to integrate trails and recreation with future timber cutting. Direct access will also be needed, since existing roads from Highway 18 could never accommodate heavy use. Fortunately there is plenty of relatively flat land near Highway 18 where a large trailhead could be built when Washington State Highways has the funds to move ahead with plans to rebuild the highway.  Current plans call for a new bridge with entrances and exits at Holder Gap (aka Tiger Summit) and a new interchange at the junction of Highway 18 and I-90. In the interim, main access to the Raging will be from the existing Rattlesnake Mountain trailhead at Snoqualmie Point Park.

Ideas for developing the recreational potential of this large area include loop trails from the Rattlesnake Ledge area at its southern end, connecting through to Highway 18, and following along the Raging River. Spur trails might be built in spots down to the river itself. The Raging is geologically unusual in never having been glaciated, with parts of the river flowing directly over bedrock, something not often seen in Cascade rivers. Other new trails could climb to views atop Taylor Mountain and connect with existing horse trails beginning at King County's Taylor Mountain Forest area.

more to come....

Skiing wetlands of the North Cascades

In the two weeks since my last snow report, a couple of strong storms have moved through, resulting in impressive snow totals at all elevations.  Places I was driving a car two weeks ago are now buried under about 30 inches of snow.  This marks three consecutive years of good snowfall at relatively low altitudes (1,500 feet to 2,500 feet elevation).  This is great news for salmon, steelhead and all aquatic creatures; all terrestrials too (including humans).  From hydroelectric generation to watered orchards, we should all revel in the world of water that is our North Cascades.  Such a treat to ski these places--world-class scenery, and sometimes even the snow is world-class.  On this day it would be decent groomed snow along the main road, and some nice track-cutting up towards Stillaguamish Peak.  I urge extreme awareness and caution this year to all travelling the back-country.  But enough of this essay--let's have a photo-essay instead!

Big Four eclipses the sun, which doesn't get very high in mid-Winter sky--the solstice was one week ago. 

The South Fork Stillaguamish River flows away from us, passing below Long Mountain on the way to the inland sea of Puget Sound.

 Picnic table at Big Four visitors area--about 32" of snow at 1,800 feet elevation.  I mentioned strong storms and awareness--note the strata in that snowpack.  There have been at least two events with strong winds and heavy snow lately, and that on top of 2-5 meters of snow from the early December storms...

Wetlands and the on-set of Winter make for some great photography.  The pictures only tell part of the story--the sound of water gurgling and flowing was everywhere, and quite soothing..

Mount Dickerman and headwater forests are reflected in the wonderous wetlands that help form the South Fork Stillaguamish River.

Stillaguamish Peak, namesake of this entire valley.

Water water everywhere.  It is a real blessing to be surrounded by water--and I mean surrounded:  from the snow and ice covering the foliage that occasionally dusted me, to the frosty mist hanging in the air, to the snow and liquid water underfoot, life is good when one is immersed in the stuff of life.

Ode to Old Ski Road

Ssshh-whump, ssshh-whump

Life is Good

On old Ski Road

Sorry I haven't blogged in a long time--life is busy, and frankly, I haven't been in the North Cascades too much lately (waiting/hoping for snow).  I've certainly been working on/for the North Cascades, and while such work is at the core of being a conservationist, not many pretty pictures or fun stories emerge from this important work.

The past week has seen cool temps and plenty of precipitation, so I figured conditions would be just right for a weekend ski.  As you can see from the pics, it was simply spectacular!  About a half-foot of fresh snow atop a firm, crusted foot of Cascade Concrete.  At 2,000' elevation, there was about 18" total, and at 2,400', there was more than two feet of snow.  Water content is relatively high, which is a good thing for glaciers and rivers.

I'm a bit surprised at the healthy low elevation snowpack, given the lack of La Nina conditions.  But things are shaping up to be another great year of snow sports and glacier maintenance in our North Cascades!  There have been as many winters over the past 30 years where there was no snow at this location as years where there has been this much.

Nothing like cutting track for a few miles, and visting the headwaters of a pristine river.  This is the Stillaguamish River--I've been exploring here for 30 years.  Each trip brings new understanding about the landscape, and affirms what is really of value and worth. 

 Check out this lovely scene of a temperate rainforest in winter.  She has icewater in her veins!

Dare I say that a road closed (in this case by snow) is not about access lost, but opportunity found.  Opportunity for quiet reflection, peace in mind, body and heart.

This place is within a 90 minute drive of more than 2.5 million people, but on this day, I saw no other humans once I left the plowed road..

Life is Good

On Old Ski Road!

From the Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019878659_oldtrees11m.html

Loss of ancient, big trees becoming a global issue

KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES

A man visits an old-growth cedar during a walk 

along the border of North Cascades National Park. 

The Pacific Northwest was once covered 

with such huge trees.

Big trees are vanishing around the world and often are not being replaced. The loss of these trees can be devastating to other species.

By Sandi Doughton

Seattle Times science reporter

It's not news to Northwesterners that most of the giant firs and cedars that once dominated the region's forests are long gone, felled by decades of logging.
But a review of ecosystems around the world finds that big trees are vanishing almost everywhere — and aren't being replaced.
"What we're seeing is a global phenomenon," said ecologist David Lindenmayer of Australian National University, lead author of a paper published in the Dec. 7 edition of the journal Science. "There are different sets of drivers — it might be fire, logging, drought, disease — but they all lead to basically the same outcome."
The loss of big, old trees can be devastating to thousands of other species that nest and take shelter in their branches and cavities, said University of Washington forestry professor Jerry Franklin, a co-author of the paper.
In some forests, nearly a third of all birds, reptiles, mammals or marsupials make their homes in ancient trees, the scientists reported. Gnarled, old trees also produce a bounty of seeds to replenish the forests and are a vital source of food.
"These big, old trees are really important elements of many forests and many landscapes," said Franklin, who was a key player in the 1990s-era battle to protect the remnants of the Pacific Northwest's famed old-growth forests. "An old tree tends to be very idiosyncratic, just like we are as human beings."
Though the causes for the decline are diverse, all involve the common denominator of human intervention.
In Scandinavia, logging companies are simply targeting the biggest, oldest trees, the researchers found.
On the savannas of Northern Australia, nonnative grasses planted to improve cattle and sheep grazing burn seven times hotter than native grass, decimating trees that weathered centuries of normal fire.
If the rate of loss doesn't abate, all of the trees in the region — both old and young — will be gone in 50 years, Lindenmayer said.
In Brazil, where rain forests have been reduced to fragments, old trees are much more vulnerable to being toppled by wind and parasitized by strangler vines that proliferate after logging.
Many forest ecosystems are so altered by invasive species, human management and shifting climate that young trees no longer are able to grow into behemoths, the scientists said.
Infestations of a plant called lantana smother seedlings in some parts of India, Lindenmayer said.
In the mountain-ash forests of Southern Australia, where he's worked for nearly three decades, cycles of fire followed by salvage logging prevent forests from maturing.
Shifting mindset
Forestry experts have long been aware of the decline of big trees, said Oregon State University professor Mark Harmon, who was not involved in the analysis.
But the Science paper is one of the first attempts to pull together evidence from different parts of the world and make the argument that big trees deserve special consideration.
"Maybe it will change the mindset," Harmon said.
Lindenmayer got interested in big trees while tracking the fate of Australia's equivalent of the northern spotted owl: the Leadbeater's possum, a 4-inch, big-eyed marsupial that can only nest in ash trees at least 200 years old.
Unless the country takes steps to protect the ancient ash trees, the world's tallest flowering plants, the possum is headed for extinction, he said.
In the Pacific Northwest, legal wrangling over the old-growth-dependent owl led the federal government to restrict logging on millions of acres of federal forest in Washington and Oregon. During the debate, Franklin proposed a more eco-friendly alternative to clearcutting that leaves some trees standing.
No policy
But there's still no nationwide policy that singles out big, old trees for protection or works to ensure that young trees are able to replace their elders, he said.
"We're dramatically reducing the number of big trees," Franklin said. "As part of our active management, we need to be planning to restore historic levels of those big, old trees."
The scientists compared the decline of ancient trees to the decimation of tigers, whales and other large mammals. After decades of protection, many slow-growing species like the blue whale are still hovering on the brink of extinction, Lindenmayer pointed out.
"The stakes are very high," he said. "Big trees can be lost very quickly, but it can take centuries for them to be replaced."
Sandi Doughton: 206-464-2491 or sdoughton@seattletimes.com