PLEASE get involved to stop this horrible proposal!

[WAcoyotehunter]

Please get involved with this- we do not need more land closed to hunting!  Send emails and call today!
URGENT ACTION FROM SPORTSMEN NEEDED TO STOP PROPOSAL THAT WOULD BAN HUNTING IN THE NORTH CASCADES!
 
Fellow Washington Sportsmen,
 
Please take a few minutes to weigh in on a new misguided environmental initiative that could end hunting throughout another quarter of a million acres of public lands in the North Cascades.  The proposal, called the American Alps Legacy Project, sponsored by a coalition of Seattle area organizations, would add 237,702 acres of lands that are currently open to hunting and other multi-use outdoor pursuits, to the existing North Cascades National Park .  Unlike National Recreation Areas or Wilderness Areas, which are open to hunting, an expansion of the national park would eliminate hunting forever in traditional hunting grounds up off Hwy 20 in the North Cascades, including nearly all of the Diablo GMU and parts of the Gardner, Sauk, and Nooksack GMUs.
 
The American Alps proposal claims it wants to protect these lands for their scenic values and for wildlife, yet most of the public lands in the proposal are already being managed wisely for conservation and recreation purposes under existing National Recreation Area and Scenic Corridor designations.
 
Read an editorial about the proposal on the Northwest Sportsman blog here: http://nwsportsmanmag.com/2011/09/26/whoa-up-on-north-cascades-park-expansion-proposal/
 
Call or e-mail Senator Cantwell today and urge her to hold back her support for the American Alps Legacy proposal.  Call 206-220-6400 or e-mail chris_gregorich@cantwell.senate.gov and make these points, and then pass this e-mail on to your sportsmen contacts:
•   At first glance, the AALP may sound like it has the best interests of wildlife and recreationists in mind; however, we question the real conservation benefits from adding nearly half a million acres of national forest land that is already being managed well for wildlife. 
•   We support conservation efforts for this magnificent area, but expanding the National Park would eliminate traditional deer, bear and other hunting opportunities and could create new access challenges for people currently using these public lands.
•   Please urge the proponents of the AALP proposal to work with hunting groups to find other strategies for improving the wildlife habitat, access, and outdoor recreation opportunities in the project area, such as an expanded National Recreation Area or new Conservation Area.  Less controversial designations could protect wildlife and habitat and maintain traditional access for hunters.
•   Many local communities and businesses depend on revenue from hunters travelling to the area for the fall hunting season, and the AALP proposal will stir up hostility and opposition from local businesses and elected officials in rural communities that depend on hunting season revenue to support local businesses and jobs.


P

[Elkaholic daWg]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,83988.0.html


Looks like wilderness ain't quite good enough for them on this one eh?  Good luck with Cantwell and Murray

[WAcoyotehunter]

yep- we need to be on this.  If we don't say anything they will think we don't care.

I wanted another post with a call for action- we need involvement here.

[Knocker of rocks]

While at first glance adding land to the crown of the North Cascades seems like a good idea, even in tree hugger circles the proposal is meeting mixed reviews.  Several hiking boards have questioned the need for this land transfer.  Most of the areas have already recieved protection status, whether National Recreation Area, Wilderness or otherwise.  So the question becomes would the land and users be better served by becoming a NP, or would the increase of fetterment discourage use and enjoyment?

I need to figure out where the western portions lie, and if they are now formally protected in any way.    I would be unhappy with changing the status of the Ross Lake and Highway 20 Corridor.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Yeah me too especially when its my primary hunting grounds 

[pianoman9701]

I just sent this email:

Dear Senator Cantwell,

Please, please, please vote against this proposal to increase the park size in the North Cascades National Park. As you may or may not know, hunters in this state fund most of the conservation that protects and repairs wildlife habitat through funds from the Pittman Robertson Act and through their license purchases. Local communities benefit from the economy surrounding hunting and fishing.

If this act is passed, 1/4 of a million acres will be taken away from us hunters and the local communities will feel the hurt from it.

I urge you to vote against this as a representative of our state and speak on behalf of the communities who are already reeling from a long recession. Please let me know how you intend to vote and speak on this issue.

Thank you for your consideration of my request. I look forward to your reply.

John Wallace -  Chair/Washington for Wildlife Legislative Committee
6304 NE 108th Ct.
Vancouver, WA 98662
360-771-1914

[WAcoyotehunter]

that's awesome pianoman- do you mind if others here copy that email and send it? 

Here's what i just sent- anyone can feel free to use portions or the whole thing.   

Dear Senator Cantwell-

I am writing to urge you not to support the expansion of the North Cascades National Park.  The portions of the Cascade range that are proposed to be added to the park are already well managed lands for the benefit of wildlife and recreation.  Including them into the Park protection will only limit recreational opportunities.  Those areas are important to the local economy and are a traditional hunting destination for deer, bear, and other wildlife.  Eliminating hunting will hurt local businesses that depend on revenue from hunters traveling to the area.   Please urge the American Alps Legacy Project proponents to seek a more reasonable level of protection and to collaborate with hunting and other recreational user groups in managing this valuable piece of the Cascade range.

Thank you,
Bart George

[dirty24d]

I've never hunted any of the listed areas but i sent my email to support the cause as i would want hunters to do for me in my frequented hunting areas.

 

[pianoman9701]

Bart,

How come you're not in the WFW? As active as you are in the politics of hunting, it would seem like a natural thing to do. We'd benefit from your membership and I hope you join us. Thanks,
John

[WAcoyotehunter]

I wouldn't mind being involved on the periphery, but I'm already a member of several groups and can't commit a bunch of time to another. 

[pianoman9701]

I wouldn't mind being involved on the periphery, but I'm already a member of several groups and can't commit a bunch of time to another.

Join for free:
http://www.washingtonforwildlife.org/cgi-bin/oc/register.cgi
You won't be pressured to do anything. I think on certain issues, you'll find yourself getting involved, but that's up to you completely. Thanks a lot!

[fireweed]

Everyone put P.S. on those Emails "No National Park at Mount St. Helens Either!"

The same push for National Park is happening at Mount St. Helens, one of the best elk hunting areas in the state.  A letter is being sent to Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler RIGH NOW asking for a study of a National Park at Mount St. Helens.   

It's interesting to note that North Cascades National Park is one of the 10 least visited National Parks in the USA.  Park proponents always tout how much "economic improvement"  the word "National Park" brings in, but this never happened in North Cascades because the park bans just about everything.  Towns on the west side are dying a slow death (Concrete, Marblemount) and even Winthrop-- with lots to do-- is struggling.   The areas main attractions are the National Recreation Areas, with hunting, boating, and a few snowmobiles.  These areas need hunters $$ in the fall.  National Recreation are well protected, and already micro-managed by the Park Service.

[Elkaholic daWg]

  From their website

"Working to complete the vision for a new park AND wilderness protection in Washington's North Cascades"   

More non-motorized family-friendly front-country recreation that will attract today's youth and thus encourage future generations to work for protection of the North Cascades.

WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN ALPS


 "Non motorized, protection" and picking on hunters too!
 Kinda hard to hide that skunk

[WAcoyotehunter]

send your emails or make a call.

[high country]

Additional points to make, the nps is already spread too thin and can't afford to police any additional lands. The land in the rec area is already closed to motorized use, the land in the park looks EXACTLY like the land in the rec area, its all about a land grab.