Please Contact
Governor Gregoire

The Stehekin Heritage organization is working with Stehekin Valley residents and citizens throughout the state and nation to encourage elected officials to support reopening an essential recreation corridor in the North Cascades Mountains of Washington State - the Upper Stehekin Valley Road.

As part of this effort, we are encouraging you to write Governor Christine Gregoire and staff member, John Mankowski (see addresses below) encouraging them to to meet with a delegation of Stehekin residents for consultation concerning the upper valley road. There is no doubt, the Governor's support is highly regarded as we work to reopen this historic recreational corridor into the heart of the North Cascade Mountains.

If you are aware of the importance of opening the Upper Stehekin Valley Road, please write the Governor with a request to meet with valley residents to discuss this critical issue. Access to the North Cascades impacts not only Washington State residents but citizens across the United States. Please ask the Governor and John Mankowski to reply to questions you present.

During the next two weeks, the Stehekin Choice Online Newspaper will publish letters from those who have already written the Governor. Hopefully, these letters will inspire you to write your own. If you are willing to have your letter published, please send a copy to: rkscutt@gmail.com .

Thank you for your thoughtful support.
Ron Scutt Editor Stehekin Choice

Governor Chris Gregoire
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia WA 98504

John Mankowski: john.mankowski@gov.wa.gov

 

November 5, 2007

The Honorable Christine Gregoire
Governor, Washington State
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Dear Governor Gregoire:

I am requesting your assistance and support to reopen a vital recreational corridor in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington State.

As you are aware, the upper Stehekin Valley Road suffered severe damage because of record flooding in 2003. Stehekin Heritage has been working diligently to gain support from elected officials to restore this essential access road.

It is my understanding that Stehekin Heritage has requested a meeting with you to discuss this issue. I would encourage you to meet with their representatives and offer your support to this important piece of this rural community's economy and the North Cascades National Park Complex.

I know this may be viewed as a federal issue since it pertains to the National Park Service (NPS) and a boundary adjustment to the Washington Park Wilderness Act of 1988 may be needed. Our federal congressional delegation is working on it as Congressman Richard "Doc" Hastings has submitted House Bill 3408 that calls for the National Park Service to review the opening of the upper valley road with no net loss of wilderness.

However, support from state elected officials will be beneficial and could assist Stehekin Heritage in gaining additional support to reopen this corridor in the North Cascade Mountains.

Thank you for your consideration of this request and I appreciate any assistance you can provide. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Best regards,

CARY CONDOTTA
12th District Representative