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COMPLETED ACTION: Support Road Repair Accessing Wild Sky Wilderness

Posted on Oct 24, 2016 in Action Alerts, Conservation News, Recreational Access, Wild Sky
Photo Courtesy of Tim Greyhavens

Photo Courtesy of Tim Greyhavens

After 10 years, Snohomish County Public Works has released for public comment a long awaited Environmental Assessment to repair the popular Index-Galena Road. This paved route served as the primary access point to dozens of trailheads, campgrounds and whitewater access points along the North Fork Skykomish River before it was severely damaged by flooding in 2006. The road has limited access to the recently designated Wild Sky Wilderness (2008).

WHAT YOU CAN DO

The comment period for this opportunity closed on October 31st, 2016. For more opportunities see our Take Action Page.

Write a short email to Snohomish County. The proposed repairs will restore access for hiking and other recreational activities along the North Fork Skykomish River by rebuilding a section of road that has been impassable for over a decade.

STEP 1: Write an email comment to Snohomish County in your own words letting them know that you support repairing this important access road. Feel free to reference the talking points provided below.

STEP 2: Send your comment via email to Senior Environmental Planner Crilly Ritz no later than Monday, October 31, 2016. Be sure to sign your name, city and state:

     EMAIL: No Longer Accepting Comments (email removed).

     SUBJECT: Restore the Index Galena Road and Access to the Wild Sky Wilderness

Please CC: ariel@wawild.org  so we can keep a copy! Thank you.

STEP 3: SHARE on Social Media. See Washington Wild’s Facebook Page for a post to share and get the word out.

TALKING POINTS

  • I strongly support the proposed repair to the Index-Galena Road at milepost 6.4-6.9 near Index, Washington.
  • The Index-Galena Road is an important access route and transportation link to the upper North Fork Skykomish River Valley and the Wild Sky Wilderness. It would restore access to dozens of trailheads and campgrounds providing opportunities to hike, horespack, paddle, climb, hunt, fish and watch wildlife.
  • Of the 11 areas along the road that were damaged, 10 have been repaired but a section between milepost 6.4 and 6.9 near the Trout Creek still needs to be fixed.
  • The current 42.5 mile detour up the Beckler River Road and over Jack’s Pass is an inconvenience to hikers interested in accessing popular trails like West Cady Ridge, Quartz Creek, North Fork Skykomish and many others.
  • The project proposes to move the segment of damaged roadway out of the channel migration zone. The result would be lower environmental impacts on the river and a more sustainable alignment less subject to future washouts.
  • The project also includes provisions for access to the river for whitewater boaters and formalizing the dispersed recreation site that many have used as a take-out at milepost 6.9
  • The proposed action will have many positive benefits including restoration of roadway connectivity, relocation of the road out of the 100 year floodplain and channel migration zone, and a footprint that will minimize vegetation clearing and land disturbance.
  • This project will also preserve and enhance the North Fork Skykomish River’s scenic values, recreation, fish, and wildlife that collectively make the river suitable for Wild and Scenic River designation.
  • I support the Preliminary River Access Plan and Conceptual Design presented as Appendix G.

BACKGROUND

To learn more check out the project website.