Forest Service budget cuts force closure of Lake Wenatchee office
NATIONAL FORESTS -- The Wenatchee River Ranger District will not open its Lake Wenatchee office to the public this year because of staffing and operational funding constraints, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest announced this morning.
“This was a very difficult decision,” said Acting District Ranger Maureen Hanson. “The Lake Wenatchee District office has a long history in our community since its establishment in 1908. But, the location of the administrative office is ‘off the beaten track’ and with current budget limitations it is not viable.”
The Lake Wenatchee office will remain an administrative work station, but will not be open for visitor services. The Leavenworth Ranger Station will be the closest Wenatcheen National Forest office.
Read on for more details.
Recommendations were first made in 1982 to consolidate both the Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth Ranger Districts, or to relocate the Lake Wenatchee office because its remote location did not meet most visitors’ needs. In 2000, comprehensive reviews of work load and budgets led to the merging of the two districts into one district now known as the Wenatchee River Ranger District.
The Lake Wenatchee Ranger Station has been on a limited operational basis since 2005 with declining public use. “With reduced staffing and rising building maintenance costs, continuing to maintain and operate as we have does not make for good business,” said Hanson. “While the closure may mean some inconveniences, it is not expected to diminish the recreational experience for most visitors,” she added.
The Wenatchee Ranger District encompasses over 729,000 acres of land with a wide range of habitat and ecosystems. The Wenatchee River RD headquarters office, located at 600 Sherbourne, Leavenworth is centrally located for all communities in the Wenatchee Watershed and will continue to fully serve the public. The Leavenworth office is open regular winter hours from 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F. Expanded summer hours will begin in late May. Recreational information is available on the website at: www.fs.fed.us/r6/okawen
For more information call 509.548.2550.
