Chelan County Commissioners Tackling Stemilt-Squilchuck, Nason Ridge and Grizzlies

Chelan County Commissioners could approve the Stemilt-Squilchuck recreation plan next week after they held a final public hearing September 16th. Commissioner Kevin Overbay says they've been reviewing the plan that has been three years in the making.

"Get some clarity, make some minor adjustments to that, so that everybody can enjoy the public lands that are there in the Stemilt Basin. We actually had multiple user groups from both motorized and non-motorized and other different facets actually appreciate and give their appreciation to Natural Resources and this Board for providing that opportunity. I think we've got a really good plan moving forward."

There will also be a subcommittee that monitors the implementation of the plan that will provide feedback to the Commissioners in case changes need to be made.

The Commissioners were also part of a tour of Nason Ridge Monday with state legislators. Commissioner Bob Bugert says the state government is considering making Nason Ridge a community forest and they're determining whether or not they should be active participants in the discussion.

"This dialogue will continue on quite a while yet before any decisions are made related to that. But it was a great opportunity for a discussion with legislators and with the community at large in the Upper Valley."

If it is designated as a community forest, it would mean oversight by local groups; it would be managed as a working forest; and there would be objectives with recreation, water supply, salmon and wildfire management.

The County is also holding community meetings on the proposed integration of grizzly bears in the North Cascades. Commissioner Doug Englund says the first meeting is Wednesday at the Chelan Senior Center on Trow Ave and the second is October 1st at Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee. Both will be before the Forest Service's meeting on October 7th.

"We want to get some feedback before that meeting from the public to see what the general feeling of the public is."

The County's meetings are at 6:00 p.m. The Forest Service's meeting will take place in Okanogan at the Fairgrounds beginning at 5:30.

Hear our full conversation with the Chelan County Commissioners below: