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March 12, 2007 Congressman Doc Hastings Dear Congressman Hastings: As commissioners of the newly formed Chelan County Fire District #10, we are writing to request that you support legislation that would reestablish the Stehekin Valley road to Cottonwood with no net loss of wilderness. This road provides critical access for fire suppression and is, therefore, critical to the health and safety of residents of our small community. That statement may, in fact, prove to be a gross understatement. As you may know, the Stehekin Valley Road is not one road among many in the valley. It is the only road that accesses vast forests northwest of our small community. This is the direction of the prevailing winds; it is the direction from which we face the greatest threat of catastrophic wildfire. Much of the forest is unhealthy including large stands of beetle-infested or diseased trees that speed the spread of fire. Should a fire get started in these stands at the height of summer, winds would likely cause rapid spread into the lower valley putting lives at risk. The best hope for
avoiding such a disaster is rapid response. Throughout Stehekin's hundred-year
history, the Stehekin Valley road Our first concern as commissioners is the health and safety of local residents, but there are also financial considerations. The cost of fighting just one catastrophic wildfire can easily exceed the cost of road reconstruction. In the past six years alone, we have seen the 2001 Rex Creek Fire ($4.3 million), the 2004 Deep Harbor Complex ($18.6 million), and the 2006 Flick Creek Fire ($4.1 million) along Lake Chelan. Once again, the key to avoiding such costs is rapid response which depends upon access. We are asking that you take whatever steps necessary to assure that this road is reestablished. Thank you for your
time.
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