Natural Resources

Upper Wenatchee Community Lands Plan

Upper Wenatchee Community Lands Plan

The Upper Wenatchee River Basin is spectacularly beautiful, ecologically diverse and economically essential. The basin has a range of physical characteristics and uses and a complex ownership pattern. Lower elevation areas along rivers and lakes are largely in private ownership, some substantially subdivided and built out. Surrounding lands are a checkerboard of private and public ownership.

Management of this forested checkerboard impacts many public priorities: an economy supported by local jobs and businesses, vibrant recreation opportunities, thriving populations of fish and wildlife, and reduced threat of catastrophic wildfire. Local leaders want to take a proactive approach to guiding the future land uses within the watershed. Developing a vision for future ownership and management of these lands is necessary and prudent, especially in light of potential large-scale land sales.

Community conversations in 2016 resulted in the Upper Wenatchee Community Lands Plan, or UWCLP. The project is a joint effort of Chelan County, Trust for Public Land, and the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust. The UWCLP identifies ecological and community values for development, forestry, recreation and conservation across the Upper Wenatchee Watershed, including 35,000 acres that has been in private ownership by three different owners since the plan was completed.

Chinook Forest Partners is the current owner of those 35,000 acres. The lands range from checkerboard at elevation in the Peshastin and Entiat drainages to large contiguous blocks above Coulter Creek and in the Chumstick. Chinook will own and manage them for the next few years but does not intend to own the lands long-term. Trust for Public Land and Chinook have entered into an option agreement that allows Trust for Public Land to purchase those 35,000 acres over the next several years. This agreement gives the Chelan County community an opportunity to fulfill the vision laid out in the plan.

To do so, the community needs to act promptly to refine the future community uses for the 35,000 acres and to help identify the public or private owners willing to purchase and manage the lands. Please join us in working together to seize this incredible opportunity by attending one of two community meetings in August.

For more information about the project:

Posted: 02/24/2015 03:05 PM
Last Updated: 08/25/2023 11:29 AM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 08
    Jan 2025
    01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - January 8, 2025

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person at 400 Douglas St.
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Planning Commission - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person
  • 11
    Dec 2024
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on December 11, 2024.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, CM Conference Room 1