Stehekin At Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
Stehekin is a small, remote settlement within the 62,000-acre Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Permanent residents number less than 100, but it is Stehekin’s size and remote location that make it so popular with visitors. Despite being accessible only by foot, boat or plane, it’s a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.
However, pressure continues to increase on undisturbed landscapes, and Stehekin is no exception: nearly 30 acres of this secluded settlement was once targeted for condominium development.
That’s when the Fund, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and local residents, worked to reach an agreement with the local landowner to preserve his land rather than develop it into condos. We helped acquire 27 acres on behalf of NPS so instead of condos, this land is part of the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Today, Stehekin remains the starting point for adventuring into Washington’s remote outdoors, including the area around Lake Chelan, the North Cascades National Park Complex and other “wild” areas.
Choices about public and private land use have become more complex and require new strategies for balancing social, economic and environmental interests. The Fund, with our dual mission to balance environmental and economic concerns, is uniquely positioned to work with interested parties on projects like the one in Stehekin.
