THE WILD CASCADES THE JOURNAL OF THE NORTH CASCADES CONSERVATION COUNCIL SPRING/SUMMER 2015 visit www.northcascades.org • ncascadesconservation.blogspot.com THE WILD CASCADES • Spring-Summer 2015 1 The North CascadeS Conservation COunciL was THE WILD CASCADES Spring/Summer 2015 formed in 1957 “To protect and preserve the North Cascades’ scenic, 3 President’s report — Tom Hammond scientific, recreational, educational, and wilderness values.” Continuing 4 Monte Cristo count down — Phil Fenner and Marc Bardsley this mission, NCCC keeps government officials, environmental organiza- 5 Overpopulation here at home — Bruce Barnbaum tions, and the general public informed about issues affecting the Greater 6 Letter to NPS director regarding Stehekin Valley road North Cascades Ecosystem. Action is pursued through administrative, legal, 7 Park Service helicopters confirmed in Mather Wilderness this summer and public participation channels to — Phil Fenner protect the lands, waters, plants and wildlife. 8 Chris Morgan: Yes, please, grizzly bears Over the past half century NCCC 10 Return to Del Campo — Tom Hammond has led or participated in campaigns to create the North Cascades National 12 American Alps update: Why establlish a National Preserve in the North Park Complex, Glacier Peak Wilder- Cascades? — Jim Davis and Marc Bardsley ness, and other units of the National Wilderness System from the W.O. 14 Cascade Rambles: Green River and Charley Creek — Rick McGuire Douglas Wilderness north to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the Henry M. 16 The Corvid’s eye Jackson Wilderness, the Chelan-Saw- tooth Wilderness, the Wild Sky Wil- 17 Remembering Bonnie Phillips — Rick McGuire derness and others. Among its most dramatic victories has been working 18 A scientist’s emotional evaluation of the “winter” past — Tom Hammond with British Columbia allies to block the raising of Ross Dam, which would 19 Membership application have drowned Big Beaver Valley. NCCC is supported by member dues and private donations. These contri- butions support the full range of the FRONT: Waterfalls tumble down Silver Tip Peak to feed the South Fork Sauk Council’s activities, including publica- River via Weeden Creek. Monte Cristo peaks beyond. May 29, 2015. —TOM HAMMOND PHOTO tion of The Wild Cascades. As a 501(c) (3) organization, all contributions are fully tax deductible to the extent The Wild Cascades allowed by law. Membership dues for one year are: Living Lightly/Student Journal of the North Cascades Conservation Council $10; Individual $30; Family $50; Sus- EDITOR: Anne Basye taining $100. EDITOR EMERITUS: Betty Manning North Cascades EDITORIAL BOARD: Philip Fenner, Anders Forsgaard, Conservation Council Tom Hammond, and Rick McGuire P.O. Box 95980 Printing by Abracadabra Printing | Pat Hutson, Designer university Station The Wild Cascades is published three times a year (Winter, Spring/Summer, Fall). Seattle, WA 98145-2980 Letters, comments, and articles are invited, subject to editorial review. NCCC Website The Wild Cascades Editor www.northcascades.org [email protected] North Cascades Conservation Council PO Box 95980, University Station, Seattle, WA 98145-2980 The Wild Cascades is printed on recycled paper. 2 THE WILD CASCADES • Spring-Summer 2015 NCCC Board Officers PRESIDENT Tom hammond VICE PRESIDENT Founded in 1957 Carolyn McConnell SeATTLe, WAShiNGTON TREASURER Tom Brucker THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT SPRING/SUMMER 2015 SECRETARY Marc Bardsley “Standing on the shoulders of Giants” is a phrase I associate with human space- flight, as it was used by astronauts and mission controllers in our quest to land humans on the moon, and return them safely to the Earth. Other Directors As the new NCCC president, I really am standing on the shoulders of giants—from the Zaleskys to the Mannings; from the Goldsworthys to the Dyers, and all of the Bruce Barnbaum board members, and indeed, members of the NCCC past and present. I am aware of the deep and rich history of the NCCC, and will endeavor to uphold the integrity Polly Dyer and purposefulness of this organization. We’re here not to make money or gain fame; we’re here to protect one of the most amazing landscapes on Planet Earth. Philip Fenner A native of Washington, my personal connection with the North Cascades began Dave Fluharty in June of 1983 with a climb of Del Campo peak (see page 10). Since then, I have summited more than 70 times in the North Cascades, and I’ve come to find that Anders Forsgaard being in a place, experiencing and understanding the landscape is far more reward- ing than getting to the top of a mountain. More important, I became aware early on Karl Forsgaard that there was no balance to the land use, with an emphasis on resource extraction. I was shocked to find roads and clearcuts right up to the headwaters of nearly every Ed Henderson drainage. Where there wasn’t timber extraction, there were mining tailings continu- Dave LeBlanc ing to pollute streams and rivers. It was no mystery to me why salmon runs were de- clining. Thus, through direct exposure and experience with the landscape, I became Rick McGuire an active conservationist. I believe one of our biggest challenges is getting people aware of and engaged Thom Peters in understanding, exploring and caring for our North Cascades. Too often people Thom Schroeder think of the North Cascades as something distant—apart from us—when in reality those mountains literally provide for our lives and livelihoods in the most direct sense. From the rivers that power our modern lives to the food we eat, from the fruit Advisors orchards to fisheries and recreation, we are inextricably linked to our Cascades. In this era of “smart” phones and virtual reality, we must get people to participate Charles Ehlert in the physical world, the one with real consequences for actions and inactions. I used to assume North Cascades National Park, the Glacier Peak Wilderness Area Kevin Geraghty and similar protected lands came about through common sense—I took for granted Fayette Krause these protected lands as “the way things are”. Thanks to the NCCC, I have come to find these glorious places are protected Dave LeBlanc though incredibly hard work, dedication and perseverance by people just like you and me. I must admit I am a bit daunted by the prospect of following in the foot- Betty Manning steps of all of the conservation greats who have been a part of the NCCC, but I take this presidency very seriously and will do everything in my power to continue the Laura Zalesky NCCC’s focus on preservation of the landscape for the sake of all living things that depend on a healthy ecosystem. I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to lead the North Cascades Conservation Council. Tom Hammond visit www.northcascades.org • ncascadesconservation.blogspot.com THE WILD CASCADES • Spring-Summer 2015 3 Monte Cristo count down By Phil Fenner and Marc Bardsley As a result of court actions a decade ago, however some of the waste material is This 2013 photo shows Tailings Pile the Forest Service in partnership with the located just inside the Henry M. Jackson No. 1 at Holden Village—the biggest Washington State Department of Ecology Wilderness Area. The plan is to remove mine remediation project in the U.S. has been preparing a plan and construct- the waste with heavy lift helicopters from at the moment—being regraded in or- ing ancillary infrastructure to remove the Wilderness area site directly to the der to prepare the bed for the under- hazardous tailings from the area around repository. It appears this will require 80 ground barrier wall. This scene might the Monte Cristo town site. So far, an flights per day for about three weeks. It access road has been constructed bypass- is planned to have the project essentially be considered a dystopian vision of ing much of the former County “Mine to completed before bad weather sets in this remediation at other mining sites in Market Road”, new and temporary bridges fall. the North Cascades, including Monte have been built using log stringers, a Perhaps the most serious issue that we, Cristo. PHOTO PROVIDED BY HOLDEN 3-acre repository for waste material has as conservationists, can have an impact VILLAGE. been constructed a few miles away from upon is the disposition of the access road the town site, and technical studies have recently built. The U.S. Forest Service is been performed. responsible for monitoring the reposi- NCCC would prefer that the new road Much of the work entails relocating tory site for years to come and needs the be gated and locked to all but USFS and hazardous waste from the vicinity of the road, it seems, to do that. There is also inholder vehicles at Barlow Pass, as was old mines scattered throughout the area the issue of private property in the Monte the old road, during and after project and from the concentrator at the town site. Cristo town site area. The Forest Service completion. We will engage with the com- A small amount of the waste is considered has indicated that a “NEPA Process” will be ing USFS evaluation of alternatives per “dangerous” and will be trucked to a toxic conducted to determine how to handle NEPA, advocating for the restoration of the waste dump in Oregon. The remainder the many issues resulting from all the natural character of the areas subjected to will be shuttled to the repository. Most of activity to clean up the Monte Cristo area. remediation. this waste can be accessed and moved by Get ready for a noisy summer if you are the heavy equipment near the town site; visiting that part of the North Cascades. 4 THE WILD CASCADES • Spring-Summer 2015 Overpopulation here at home By Bruce Barnbaum The issue of human overpopulation we’re doing to our planet with our explod- air.