10/09/2022
Hi all. Below is a message from Chelan Basin Conservancy, which is leading an effort to preserve a large parcel of land on the north side of Chelan Butte. This may be the last chance to keep it from getting developed. Included in this land is the area known as the Lone Pine LZ, right by Chelan Butte Road on the north side. Many of you have used it as a quick turnaround for sledders or if you sink out after launching Lakeside. Please take a moment to send an email as described below. It can be as short or as long as you like, but please take the time to show your support for this effort!
Please Take Action to Preserve Chelan Butte
Hello supporters of the Chelan Butte,
Now is the time that we urgently need you to take action! This action will take the form of sending an email to the Chelan mayor and city council as described below. Please do so by October 10th if possible – the sooner the better.
CBC recently presented to the Chelan mayor (Bob Goedde) and city council describing exactly how the City, along with multiple partners, could preserve up to 875 acres across the face of Chelan Butte (link to presentation). One cornerstone of this plan is that the City be willing to dedicate $500,000 of City funds toward the eventual purchase price of up to $6-7 million. The remainder of the money would come from other sources such as federal, state, and local grants and public donations. This $500,000 investment and indication of the City’s commitment is a requirement for local land trusts to engage in this project.
The City is currently going through the process of generating its 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, which lists the City’s highest priority funding efforts over the next five years. It is essential that the $500,000 commitment for the Chelan Butte be included in the CIP; without it being included, it is unlikely that the preservation of the Chelan Butte will be viable, leaving it open to development in the future. Several city council members are supportive of funding this effort, while others appear to be on the fence.
As a side note, and an indication of the urgency of this issue, the owner of the 875 acres being pursued on the Butte is ready to move forward with potential subdivision plans for a portion of the properties in the near term. This would still leave the majority of the 875 acres undeveloped for now, but every year that passes increases the chances that more and more of these properties will become developed.
In order to demonstrate public support for the City to include the necessary $500,000 in the CIP, we are asking everyone who signed the petition to Preserve the Butte to send an email to City government.
Your email can be as long or as short as you’d like it to be, but please send something! Guidance for the preparation of an email to the City of Chelan is provided below. Please keep your emails positive and supportive.
Thank you!
Brian Patterson
CBC President
chelanbasinconservancy.org
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Please start your email by indicating your association with Chelan and/or the Lake Chelan Valley. For example, “I am a Chelan resident.”, or “I live in the Lake Chelan Valley.”, or “I am a frequent visitor to Chelan.”
Reference the 875 acres owned by Golden Gate Ventures. For example, “It is my understanding that the City of Chelan currently has an opportunity to partner with other entities to purchase up to 875 acres of land owned by Golder Gate Ventures on Chelan Butte.”
Indicate that you believe preservation of the Butte should be one of the City’s highest priorities. For example, “The preservation of Chelan Butte should be one of the City’s highest priorities, as not doing so could forever change the small-town character of Chelan and overwhelm the City’s infrastructure.”
Then include the specific ask you are making; for example “As the City prepares the 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Program budget, I urge you to include the $500,000 necessary to begin the process of preserving a significant portion of Chelan Butte.”
If you are so inclined, indicate that you too plan on contributing financially to the preservation of the Butte at the appropriate time due to the importance of this issue.
To send an email to Chelan’s mayor and city council, please cut and paste the following email addresses:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Also, importantly, please cc: your comment email to:
[email protected]
This will allow us to track the comment emails submitted.
