Help Shape the Future of the North Cascades!
The National Park Service is inviting public input on a new frontcountry planning process for the Ross Lake National Recreation Area along State Route 20—the most accessible part of the North Cascades National Park Complex. This area includes Ross, Diablo, and Gorge Lakes; campgrounds such as Newhalem Creek, Colonial Creek, and Goodell Creek; the North Cascades Visitor Center; and the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center.
This is an opportunity for you to express your support for North Cascades Institute as the operator of the Environmental Learning Center and encourage National Park Service support for our operations and programs in the future.
Your feedback will directly inform how the park continues to serve visitors – including people of all ages attending educational programs at the Environmental Learning Center – while advocating for conservation of the unique natural and cultural heritage of the North Cascades area.
Here are some suggestions that we encourage you to consider submitting:
- Prioritize collaboration with park partners including North Cascades Institute to achieve excellent visitor experiences
- Strong National Park Service support for North Cascades Institute as the operator of the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center
- Honor the cultural history of the North Cascades by collaborating with the Indigenous tribes who have lived here since Time Immemorial
Other ideas could include:
- Improved parking and traffic flow at popular trailheads along the highway
- Improvements to overcrowded trails and campgrounds
- Reduce carbon emissions and increase energy and fuel efficiency in infrastructure, including building EV charging stations in developed areas
- Pursue stewardship projects that promote ecosystem resiliency and wildlife habitat conservation
By sharing your viewpoints in this process, you can help shape the future of the North Cascades. Public input will inform a plan that will guide the management of the recreation area and park.
To learn more specifics about the project, review the “Potential Strategies” outlined in this National Park Service document: storymaps.arcgis.com
It includes proposed changes to key areas such as Hozomeen, Newhalem, and Colonial Creek campgrounds; the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount; the Sourdough and Thunder Knob trails; boat use on Diablo Lake; and other popular amenities in the park.
Make your voice heard by submitting comments in the NPS Comment Form by August 11!
“As more people discover and enjoy the North Cascades, we have a responsibility to ensure their experience remains high-quality while we protect the resources that make this place so special. We want to hear from everyone—whether you visit once a year, once a week, or simply care about the future of public lands.”
—Wade Vagias, acting superintendent of North Cascades National Park Service Complex
In-person public meetings this month:
July 15th | 5-7pm at The Mountaineers’ Seattle Program Center
July 16th | 5-7pm at the Burlington Public Library
Top photo by Mark Browning
I support more places for people to hike or boat into the actual national park, designed to minimize impact and crowds. Expand cooperation and cross-promotion between the NPS Visitor Center and the Environmental Learning Center (well managed by the North Cascades Institute).
Be sure to submit your comments supporting North Cascades Institute as operator of the Environmental Learning Center at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=145303 ! Thank you!