Alternative 5

Management

concept / working

title

Manage LCNRA under the original intent of congress with Preservation of Private land, the historic community of Stehekin, public access, and recreation being the priority.

Alternatives 2-4 talk about implementing a CMZ with the intent that all private lands in the CMZ would be moved or purchased. This amounts to about 70% of private land and most of the private businesses in the valley. Alternative 1 is no better as it does not follow the original intent of congress or the findings of the 1981 GAO Report, Lands in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area should be returned to Private ownership. The current policies of the NPS seem to be to acquire land and manage the LCNRA as if it were a National Park. It is clear that in both the founding legislation and the GAO report - LCNRA was to be preserved as a community with private land holdings, and that public lands were to be managed for the purpose of access, recreation, and preservation of the historic community of Stehekin.

Floodplain and

Land use concept

Large floods would continue to be constricted by development in the floodplain. The Stehekin Valley Road would be retained in its current alignment, with the grade raised through McGregor Meadows. Because of the road grade raise, water from large floods would be restricted from some of the floodplain.

There would continue to be a potential for new development on all private property.

Land trades would be a priority in flood prone areas, with highest priority being lands most at risk

Erosion protection measures would be

implemented at seven sites, including those identified in Alternative 3, plus at Milepost 7.0 and 9.2.

Other sites would be added as needed.

We find that all through this plan, including alternative 1-4, that the preservation of the Stehekin community and public recreation are not the priority, and that the CMZ is being used as a tool to make a case for land acquisition in alternatives 2-4. In alternative 1 many of the good improvements are completely left out. These proposals also use the revision of the LLP to further restrict private property rights.

Land acquisition

and exchange

concept /LPP

Land trades would be made available on a basis of most at risk to least risk, under a policy of no net loss of existing land base or private property value. Exchange must allow reasonable use and development according to local standards and compatible with the intent of Congress in SR 700.

The GAO report clearly states that there should be no further purchase of private property -and, in fact lands should be returned to private ownership. We support land trade in some sensitive areas along the river with a no net loss of land base or land value. The NPS Alternatives do not follow the original intent of congress or the GAO report.

Response to

flooding and

erosion

As needed, the NPS would continue case-by-case response to flood-related damage affecting public facilities. Private landowners with development in the flood plane would continue to be responsible to self-implement flood protection measures. NPS should coordinate with Chelan County to protect private property from flooding ( where an exchange is not viable).

Road through McGregor Meadows would be elevated.

Alternatives 1-4 effectively abandon private property in the proposed CMZ to be flooded, with no long term flood prevention measure being taken.

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

Roads

Stehekin Valley

Road: Reroutes

Reroutes

None.

Road grade raise at Milepost 6.25 to 6.53. Road grade raise of 1 — 3 feet at Milepost 6.95 to 7.14.

Slight realignment and slope work at Milepost 6.0 to 6.5.

Lower Field Riparian Restoration

Riparian restoration would occur along the bank to the edge of the existing roadway adjacent to the

Lower Field.

Bank hardening or Barbs would be placed as need to protect road.

The proposed Reroute in alternative 2 essentially abandons a large portion of private Property.

The proposed reroute is too narrow, steep and curvy and generally unsafe, and would be very difficult to maintain and keep open during seasonal flooding and in the winter. This proposed reroute would be a detriment to the community, public access and recreation.

McGregor Meadows

Access Road

N/A

Stehekin Valley

Road / Road: private

access

Private access would be via existing spur roads off the Stehekin Valley Road. Access would be maintained where the road grade is raised in McGregor Meadows.

It is the responsibility of the agency that maintains the road to also maintain good access to all private property.

Company Creek

road protection

strategy / erosion

protection measures

Maintain road in its existing alignment. Bank hardening and Barbs would be placed where needed. Maintain the existing levee and existing erosion protection measures (barbs and grade control structures).

All tools and Techniques available for erosion control should be retained and used to maintain Company Creek road.

Harlequin Bridge

Continue to maintain. If replacement is needed, install a longer span bridge that is raised to a height to allow for adequate water flow beneath the bridge.

Administrative Facilities

Maintenance Area

view Maintenance document here

NPS Housing

view Facilities document here

Recreational Facilities

Weaver Point

Cultural Resources

Same as Alternative 1 plus:

Extend proposed logjam up-river, and install rock barbs and bioengineering to prevent river shoreline erosion and protect all of Weaver Point Campground, retaining all tools available to this purpose. Maintain existing Historical cribbing up river from NPS house.

All tools and techniques available for erosion control should be retained and used to preserve and maintain all of Weaver point.

Harlequin

Campground

Maintain Harlequin Campground,

including group sites, in its existing

location. Take actions as needed in

response to flooding.

Continue to use Harlequin Campground except during flooding and unless catastrophic impacts occur.

Harlequin Camp is one of the nicest camps in the valley and should be maintain in its entirety.

Purple Point Horse

Camp

Purple Point Horse Camp would continue to be used for horse parties plus as an overflow group campsite.

Construct additional group/individual campsites at Purple Point Horse Camp. New campsites would include corresponding infrastructure.

Horse use should be preserved and camping sites expanded.

Rainbow Falls

Campground

(proposed)

Construct new individual and group campsites near Rainbow Falls. Campsites would include corresponding infrastructure. At historical camp location.

Rainbow falls is a historic campsite and should be rebuilt in its original site.

Company Creek

Campground

(proposed)

No Action

Bullion Campground

Remove hazard trees, retaining camp in existing location. Add Vault toilet if needed.

The original campsite is sheltered and the proposed new site is in the open and exposed. The original camp is safer for families (away from the river).

Lower Valley Trail

Lower Valley Trail should start at Weaver point and follow existing river trail to Harlequin Bridge making improvements as needed.    The trail would then continue on the north side of the river to High Bridge following historical wagon road where possible.  Sensitivity to private property should be a priority and the trail alignment moved as needed.    Where the trail passes private property and it is not practical to go around the private property, existing road right of way should be used.    Trail should be multi-use including both horses and Bicycles.        Stehekin valley road from the landing to Harlequin bridge would continue to be the hiker/biker access. Widening the road along the head of the Lake and at Frog Island to improve safety.   

Stehekin River Trail

connector to Lower

Valley Trail

No Action

See lower valley trail option

Too expensive, money would be better spent elsewhere on trails.

Raft launches /

takeout / boat

access

Same as Alternative 1 plus: Construct new raft takeout / boat access near the Stehekin River Mouth and add new 300-foot long spur road off Stehekin Valley Road. Coordinate actions with private landowners.

Shooting Range

Retain shooting range in its existing

Location or if required move to another suitable location.

It is critical that there be a shooting range in Stehekin

Management of Large Woody Debris

Actions

Woody debris could be removed where needed to allow natural flow of water in existing river channel and to alleviate damage to property elsewhere. A safe channel for public recreation shall be maintained.

Critical that management of woody debris be allowed, as needed, without restrictions.

Private use

Wood from log jams could be made available to private users for historical uses within the Stehekin Valley.  The practice of salvaging logs from Lake Chelan will continue subject to county and state jurisdiction.

Historical uses should be maintained.

Public facilities /

private development

Same as alternative 1

Erosion Protection Measures

Erosion protection should be used to keep the river in its current channel where possible and to protect the Stehekin Valley Road and private property. No unreasonable restrictions should be placed on it's application. The following proposals in alternative 5 have these requirements in mind.

Proposed Number of barbs

16 - 17 new rock barbs plus others as conditions dictate.

Log jams

Construct and maintain as needed to protect private property and roads.

Company Creek

Road and Stehekin

Valley Road

Maintain erosion protection measures (rock barbs and grade control structures) installed by the NPS since the 1980s on Company Creek Road and those installed since the 1980s by the NPS along the Stehekin Valley Road.

Stehekin River

Mouth

Keep approximately 100 feet of rip-rap on public land where beneficial with 3 rock barbs and bioengineering and

construct a small logjam to minimize potential for a river channel shift.

Stehekin Valley Road Erosion Protection Measures

1. SVR Milepost 2.0

(Boulder Creek

Area)

Build grade control structure with logjam on top starting at Boulder Creek alluvial fan and continuing down river to first main flood channel. Maintain and repair road as needed.

2. Buckner

Homestead

Hayfield and

Pasture

Use all tools and techniques  available for erosion control may be used to protect historical homestead and hayfield including rock barbs and bank hardening as needed.

3. SVR Milepost 3.8

(Frog Island)

Stabilize bank with 1 - 2 barbs and bioengineering to stabilize the bank within 30 feet of the road.

4. SVR Milepost 5.3

(Wilson Creek

Same as Alternative 1 except:

Instead of rip-rap clusters, construct 2 - 3 rock barbs to stabilize the toe of the slope and augment natural bank armoring.

5. SVR Milepost

6.25 - 6.53 and

Milepost 6.95 -

7.14

As called for by the Road

Improvement Project, raise

roadbed 2-5 feet (as suggested by Federal Highways standards of the early 1970's) starting at bottom of 6 mile hill and continuing to down-valley edge of lower field. Construct road so that trapped water on North side of road could flow over road in high water situations at Danielson's corner.

6. SVR Milepost 6.0

- 6.5

As called for by the Road Improvement Project, lay back slope, remove eyebrow, construct drystack rock wall, and implement minor road realignment between Milepost 6.0 - 6.5 to improve sight distance.

7. SVR Milepost 7.0

Same as Alternative 1 plus construct 2 rock barbs to maintain road at Milepost 7.0.

8. SVR Milepost 7.3

- 7.4 Lower Field

Implement riparian restoration along edge of Lower Field. Add two rock barbs and bioengineering to protect Stehekin Valley Road alignment.

9. SVR Milepost 7.8

Thimbleberry

Creek

Retain 72-inch and two 48-inch

culverts.

10.SVR Milepost 8.0

Lay slope back to an angle that will self heal and use material in raising of road from Mile post 6 to 7. Maintain raised section of roadway, including rock barbs and bioengineering. If the road becomes undermined, rebuild it in place.

11.SVR Milepost 8.5

As called for by the Road

Improvement Project, realign culvert to meet creek at point of entry rather than forcing it parallel

to the road and then under the road.

12.SVR Milepost 9.2

(Above Stehekin

Valley Ranch)

Install Culvert and extend ditch to river. Build up road as required and maintain ditch along road with extra culverts as needed.