CONTACT: Charlie Keller
September 10, 2009 (202) 225-5816
(202) 365-4118 Cell

STEHEKIN ROAD BILL PASSES NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congressman Doc Hastings' (WA-04) legislation to rebuild the upper Stehekin Valley Road passed the House Natural Resources Committee today. The legislation must next be considered by the full House and Senate before it becomes law.

"Rebuilding Stehekin Road will restore an economic lifeline for the men and women who live and work in Stehekin, as well as increase access to the Park for visitors from around the world," said Hastings. "While today's action is the next step in the legislative process, I will continue my work to see that the bill is signed into law."

During legislative consideration of the North Cascades National Park's creation in 1988, Congress determined that Stehekin Road would remain outside of the wilderness area. Otherwise, no cars, mountain bikes or other mechanized vehicles would have been allowed to transport area residents or Park visitors to the wilderness areas north of the Stehekin community. Failure to fix the Road will keep many people from entering the Park and will reduce the number of visitors to the region.

Record flooding in recent years washed out parts of the road, making nearly half of the roadway inaccessible to vehicle traffic. Due to the limitations placed on the boundaries of the Road in the 1988 incorporation, the Road may not be moved and rebuilt on higher ground without adjusting the wilderness boundary, an act which requires congressional approval.

Hastings' bill would authorize the National Park Service to adjust the wilderness boundary for the sole purpose or rebuilding the closed section of road away from the Stehekin River, provided there is no net loss of wilderness acreage. All federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, would still have to be complied with for the road to be moved.