Expansion of North Cascades National Park

I was reading the Mountaineers newsletter ( Stewie's a member) and was surprised to see an article about a Mountaineer's advocacy program to "finish the park" and incorporate the Early Winters Area and presumably Silver Star.
Didn't know there was such a project.
Don't know how far it's gone or if it has any chance of succeeding any time soon, but it does have some serious implications.

Park rules for Birthday tour area and campgrounds in that area.
No more heli- skiing in that area-
No more mountain biking at Cutthroat lake-- one of the best mnt bikes rides in the state.
No doggies.
No fixed anchors for big wallers- federal fixed anchor ban.
Cadres of meadow rovers.
Maybe restrictions on Snowmbile access up SR 20 from Mazama.

Could be good, could be bad depending upon your perspective.

It will definitely be interesting too see where it goes if anywhere. As a native of Twisp I can tell you a lot of locals would be pissed, since I think most people feel the area is managed incredibly well. I can tell you that many opinions would be changed if they kept the road open in the winter. The local skiers getting pissed though

It will definitely be interesting too see where it goes if anywhere. As a native of Twisp I can tell you a lot of locals would be pissed, since I think most people feel the area is managed incredibly well. I can tell you that many opinions would be changed if they kept the road open in the winter. The local skiers getting pissed though

In the article they say the area is "under development pressure". Not sure what that means??? Is it a scare tactic or code for something else. Anybody know???

www.americanalps.org

"Hiking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and climbing are all extremely popular. Opportunities for these outdoor activities must be preserved and expanded in the North Cascades. Incompatible uses, such as downhill skiing and motorized recreation, are also popular and are slowly encroaching on pristine non-motorized recreation areas adjacent to the current park. "

So are we XC skiers (good), DH skiers(bad), or did this brilliant study miss our user-group?

www.americanalps.org

thanks Brit.
Interesting read.
"Recreation activites must be preserved" and mentions horse back riding and mountian biking... BUT I it hought they weren't allowed in a national park- misleading or will they be allowed? Anybody know.?
Incompatible uses' Downhill skiing and motorized recreation"- Mazama slednecks won't like that,

Infers USFS and State protection currently is subject to change and is therefore not sufficient. Federal is always best....????

Wind farms and hydroelctric...mmmh. Scary. Windmill ontop of Liberty Bell could be  WA's own " Christ the Redeemer" statue like Rio???

Best way to Protect Puget sound is to protect headwaters..... mmmh... major problem is sewage , industrial waste and pesticides from farming.

They do know how to write some interesting spin.