Despite Opposition, Upper Stehekin Road in North Cascades National Park Passes House Committee
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PRESS RELEASE
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| Date: | September 11, 2009 |
| Contact: | Lindsay Bartsh, NPCA, 650.269.2911 Sean Smith, NPCA, 206.818.4041 |
Despite Opposition, Upper Stehekin Road in North Cascades National Park Passes House Committee
Statement by Sean Smith, Policy Director, National Parks Conservation Association
“The National Parks Conservation Association is extremely disappointed by the House Natural Resource Committee's passage of H.R. 2806, which will likely force the National Park Service to rebuild a low-priority storm-ravaged road in North Cascades National Park. Even if the road were rebuilt higher along the mountainside, it would still be prone to avalanches and be prohibitively expensive for the Park Service to build, repair, and maintain. The road, known as the Upper Stehekin Road, has been closed since 2003 due to devastating floods. Instead, a trail has served as a popular entry way for hikers and horseback riders into the upper Stehekin valley."
In 2006, the Park Service completed an environmental review of the Upper Stehekin Road and concluded that the best way to preserve park resources, save taxpayer money and maintain public enjoyment was to retire the road. This decision was based upon the valley’s topography, the changing flood regime, the financial costs, and public demand. If H.R. 2806 were to come to the floor of the House, we strongly encourage Members of Congress to support the National Park Service and vote ‘No’.”
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