§90c–1 Administration of Recreation Areas

Summary

The Secretary must run the recreation areas to give people outdoor recreation and to protect scenic, scientific, historic, and other values people enjoy. In the non‑wilderness part of Lake Chelan, managing, using, or disposing of renewable natural resources and continuing existing uses and developments is allowed if it helps, is compatible with, or does not seriously harm recreation or those protected values. The Secretary can use park and natural‑resource laws as needed. In Ross Lake, removing trees from power‑line rights‑of‑way is allowed to protect transmission equipment, and when possible tree work should protect the scenic views. The lands are taken out of normal public‑land, mining, and mineral‑leasing use unless someone already has valid rights. In non‑wilderness Lake Chelan, sand, rock, and gravel may be sold to Stehekin residents for local use if it does not significantly harm area management. Money from leases under the Mineral Leasing Act of February 25, 1920, and the Acquired Lands Mineral Leasing Act of August 7, 1947, must be handled as those laws say. Hunting and fishing are allowed under U.S. and Washington law, but the Secretary can set closed zones or times for safety, wildlife management, or public enjoyment after consulting Washington’s Department of Game except in emergencies. No roads may be built or used that would give vehicle access from the North Cross State Highway to the Stehekin Road, nor any permanent road between May Creek and Hozomeen along Ross Lake’s east side.