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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
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Ron Scutt
8 Stehekin Valley Rd
Stehekin WA
98852
Dear Governor Gregoire,
I am writing to ask for your support concerning the re-opening of
an essential recreational corridor in the North Cascade Mountains
of Washington State.
Currently, representative 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. We are
considering this legislative remedy and other options that would
enable citizens of all ages to regain their ability to access the
majestic mountain scenery of the North Cascades. We would appreciate
your consultation and support concerning this issue.
It is my hope that you are willing to meet with a delegation of
Stehekin Valley residents to discuss the possibility of offering
your support for the re-opening of an essential recreational corridor
into the heart of the North Cascade Mountains.
The foundation of your support would be based on the following facts:
1. From its inception, all legislation concerning the North Cascades
National Park Complex speaks to the importance of maintaining a
recreational corridor that promotes public access into the heart
of the North Cascade Mountains of Washington State.
2. Senator Dan Evans was clear about the intention of the Washington
Wilderness Act in 1988 when he testified before Congress stating:
“What the bill would not do is to keep the park visitor shut
out of the park. All the existing transportation and development
corridors would be excluded from wilderness designation.”
3. Because of the catastrophic flood of 2003, access that Senator
Evans spoke of is now available to only a few – No longer
can the aged, the very young and those of little means access the
Upper Stehekin Valley. No longer can the majority of the visiting
public catch the shuttle bus to access the heart of the North Cascades.
In short, visionary action is needed to remedy the damage done by
an act of nature. We need your support to make this happen.
It is my hope you will be able to meet with valley residents in
Olympia and reaffirm the principle of public access defined during
the forty-year legislative history of the North Cascades National
Park Complex. Not only would such support be in keeping with Congressional
intention, but it is also the right thing to do for all citizens
of Washington State and those visiting Washington from across the
nation.
Thank you for your consideration of this request to meet in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Ron Scutt
President
Stehekin Heritage
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