Expansion of North Cascades National Park

If it's so important to protect the whales, why not leave them alone? I would think most people who consider whale watching have already decided that they need protection. Taking in the mountain landscape in winter is secondary to the skiing when heli-skiing, why not just take a helicopter or fixed wing excursion to see the great vistas?

Well I am being combative as I think your reply exhibits the "reverse elitism" that us ski tourers and "earn your turners" frequently exhibit when talking about others who choose to do their recreation using motorized means and are therefore somehow diminished in terms of their "right to persue happiness" just because they choose ,in our opinion an inferior mode of travel.
Experts ( and I'm not one but do read their views) on the subject of conservation and preservation recognize that the "stakeholder" process is crucial to galvanize support to protect things. Most agree that getting people close up and into the environment or animal that needs to be protected creates stakeholders that will then support the protection cause.
Getting people on whale watching trips and sighting whales from land were possible has done much to up awareness and create stakeholders to protect whales even if they are tourists in Hawian shirts and not "locals in Patagonia soft shells" who are obviously superior in your world view.

Maybe your comment about" leave them alone" the most revealing when you extend the analogy (that even you said is good) to the current main topic. Perhaps you are really suggesting that we leave the  NC alone and close it down and turn it into a museum that only people you deem worthy by dint of their dress and chosen mode of travel should be allowed to access.

I am a bit hesitant to go on about the heli-ski business. In regard to the AALP, I see our operation as being a small aspect of much larger issues. Still, here are a few more thoughts:
The whale watching comment was to illustrate that when it comes to recreation/tourism-based businesses, especially those that operate in publicly-owned places, these business are often viewed with favorable or unfavorable perspectives.
As to impacts if the heli-ski operation were shut down, well, like any local, small business here in the Methow that closes it doors, the fallout would probably minimal. Yet small businesses are crucial here as in many rural or urban areas.
Beyond the untracked pow, good times, rushes and views, I see our business having a few additional impacts:
– Promoting the Methow as well as the North Cascades as a year-around destination.
– Promoting and educating folks about their great public lands out here in the NW.
– Contributing to the economic health of the valley, not only at the Freestone Inn, but at other businesses that provide lodging, food and amenities, like the Rio Vista hotel, the Mazama Store, East 20 Pizza, the Twisp River Pub and others. We value and appreciate our relationships with our local friends and acquaintances who own and operate these businesses.
– Providing some employment and opportunity.
– Providing revenue for the state and county (sales tax).
– Providing revenue for the Forest Service (permit fees)
– Working with regional businesses like JR Heli (Zillah) and Wenatchee Petroleum.
– Promoting avalanche awareness and backcountry skiing/riding skills.
– Promoting the ski and snowboard industry in WA.
– Collaborating with our partners like K2, DaKine and BCA.
– Available to help Aero Methow Search and Rescue, the Okanogan County sheriff and other local agencies. We're even available to fly around some NC3 members to see their proposed study areas in the wintertime.
– Supporting the fundraising efforts of groups like Aero Methow, the Loup Loup Ski Education Foundation and the Methow Valley Nordic Ski team.

This is small potato stuff, but it is important to us. I don't expect others to view heli-skiing in this light. It certainly has its hedonistic aspects. As much as I am concerned about the AALP from a heli-ski perspective, I am just as concerned about the project's potential impact on other public land users.

Recreation-wise, here are some recent comments from NC3 president Marc Barsley:

"Besides these more obvious reasons for protecting more of the North Cascades is one that I like to think of as a long-term “sleeper”. That would be, in my mind, the inadequate availability of front country (close to the road) amenities that bring the public into contact with nature. By this, I mean, more fairly short, environmentally friendly trails, interpretive centers, nature walks, overlooks, campgrounds, wildlife viewing and the like that get people out of their cars. I feel that it is crucial in the long term, to get more of the public outside interested in the natural environment and away from the TV and video games. The North Cascades do not need advertising or promotional efforts from those of us that are already believers. The natural wonders that those of us reading this already know and love need to become just as loved by the rest of the public so that they can help us protect our favorite places."

And more recently from Mr. Davis:
"Conservation and outdoor recreation advocates seek to add more than 300,000 acres to the park, nearly a 50% increase. The new proposal will add low elevation, front-country lands to the park to make it more accessible to visitors. It will also support development of new park visitor centers in gateway communities, 25 miles of new family-friendly trails, new ecotourism sites, expanded campgrounds, and other amenities that will attract more families to the North Cascades."

I am not sure if this what many people want to see more of along the North Cascades Highway corridor. Short distance trails for wildlife viewing? Additional overlooks? I believe the accessibility along that stretch is plenty adequate.
So it appears it is preservation along with development....

Cheers,

Paul Butler
North Cascade Heli
Mazama, WA

The Dysneyfication plan. Paved paths & overlooks, keep the visitors in the center, on the path, on the boardwalk BUT away from the park..... make restrictions and permit systems to limit those few that want to venture off the beaten path that the majority contain themselves too.... we can restrict the minority that roam far easily and ....... turn the rest of the area into a museum.

:

Conquistadors of the useless arguing about who's helmet is least hedonistic.

:

Conquistadors of the useless arguing about who's helmet is least hedonistic.

Thats pretty deep man! You been on the mushrooms again?

No 'shrooms.

Just a coupla lines of Marmite.