METHOW VALLEY PLAN - Methow Valley Citizens Council

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERSEd Winslow, ChairmanJack Abrams, MemberRichard L. Wilkie, MemberOKANOGAN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSIONDon Verbeck, ChairmanGlenn Kittrell, Vice ChairmanHelen Fancher, SecretaryChuck CampbellPaul FreeseFrank HolmesNorm McClureRex RansomArt RhodesBOARD OF ADJUSTMENTBill Houston, ChairmanGlenn Kittrell, Vice ChairmanWarren BadgerScott DeTroAnn FigenshowPLANNING DEPARTMENTArthur 0. Olson, Planning DirectorJim King, Project PlannerDon Lommasson, PlannerMary Louise Jones, Secretary

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTION I - STUDY AREA AND CITIZENS COMMITTEEMethow Valley Land Use Committee 2Methow Valley Land Use Advisory Committee1975 Meeting Dates and Records of3Attendance....Meeting Speakers and Topics Covered 4Land Use and Quality of Life 5Economic Stability and Land Limitations 6Growth Management 7Methow Valley Planning Area No. 1 9Planning Area Sub Units 10SECTION II - BACKGROUND INFORMATIONIntroduction 12North Cascades Highway and Traffic Counts 13Towns and Communities 14A Look Ahead 1615-Year Population Projection 19SECTION III - LAND USEAgriculture 21Forest Uses 22Subdivisions and Residential Development 23Public Recreational Areas 25Map of Public Recreational Areas 26Districts, Recreational Visits 1968-74 27Commerce 28Industrial Development 29SECTION IV - COMMUNITY FACILITIESTransportation and Circulation 32Sewer and Water 34Health Care 35Law Enforcement 36Education 37Fire Protection 37Utilities 39Public Buildings 40SECTION V - SENSITIVE AREASSub Unit A Water Table 42Floodplains 43Methow, Twisp and Chewack Rivers 43Wildlife 45Air Quality 46

VSECTION VI - PLAN IMPLEMENTATION METHODSZoning Ordinance 48Planned Unit Development 48Mobile Home Development 49Subdivision Ordinance 49Uniform Building Codes 49Signing 50Architectural Motif 50Transferable Development Rights 50Capital Improvement Program 51Environmental Assessments 51Shoreline Management 52On-Going Planning Efforts 52APPENDIX - SUPPORTIVE STUDIESList of Supportive Studies 55APPENDIX - MAPSFloodplain Information Studies 61Ground Water Table Study 62Mule Deer Habitats 63Land Ownership 64Land Use 65Soil Suitability for Residential66FoundationsLand Use Capability Class 67Sub-Surface Sewage Disposal 68Soil Suitability for Streets and Roads 69Soil Mosaic 70Subdivisions 71Timber Cutting 5-Year Action Plan 72Geologic Map of the Methow Valley Area 73Timber Productivity Map 74Planned Timber Sales, Twisp District 75

SECTION 1STUDY AREA ANDCITIZENS COMMITTEE

THE METHOW VALLEY LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEETHE METHOW VALLEY LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE met for the firsttime on January 22, 1975 to help the Okanogan County RegionalPlanning Commission establish goals, objectives and policies forthe Upper Methow Valley on a variety of topics of concern to thecitizens in the Methow Valley.After the second meeting, citizens who showed interest in servingon the committee were divided in eight units with people asked tojoin a group that most nearly represented their interests.Each of the eight groups was asked to elect a representative toserve on the "Executive Committee." The "Concerned Citizens,"being a large group, was asked to elect two representatives. Inaddition, two "members at large" were asked to serve by electionof committee members.The committee, at its first meeting in executive session, electeda chairman and vice chairman to moderate at public and executivesession meetings and coordinate the activities of the committee.During the organizational meetings, all in attendance were askedto define in their own terms the "best" and the "worst" possiblefuture in the Methow Valley. The results of this exerciseindicated that the overwhelming majority felt long-range planningand land use controls were essential to guide future growth.This principle became the underlying focus of the committee'saction.

Because the Upper Methow Valley is in the early stages ofplanning and development, it was felt that the broad objectivesof the advisory committee were to:

1. Determine the desires and goals of the community.2. Recommend ways to attain these goals.3. Gather data to aid in present and future planning.In order to determine the desires of the community, the committeeadvertised and held public meetings approximately every ten daysover a five month period. Experts were asked to testify on awide range of subjects and answer questions from the public.Ample opportunity for questions and discussions on all topics wasafforded those persons in attendance. Written comments wererequested from the public. Minutes were kept of all meetings andwere mailed to over 150 persons, newspapers and to several stateand federal agencies. Copies of these minutes are on file in thePlanning Department office, County Courthouse, Okanogan,Washington.METHOW VALLEY LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE1975 MEETING DATES AND RECORDS OF ATTENDANCEDATE:PERSONS SIGNINGATTENDANCE ROSTER:DATE:PERSONS SIGNINGATTENDANCE ROSTER:January75 March 26 5922February41 April 2 303February29 April 18 4411February40 May 2 3921March 3 43 May 12 27March 13 51 May 22 18March 25 67 June 4 21Note: An estimated 20% of persons

in attendance at each meeting didnot sign attendance roster.

MEETING SPEAKERSTOPICS COVEREDName: Agency: Subject:Don Ziegler Department of Game METHOW VALLEY WILDLIFEVictorBiles-Coleman GeneralFOREST USESJacobsen ManagerJohn Updycke U.S. Forest Service FOREST USESJack Whitson U.S. Forest Service FOREST USESPaul Rhodes State Highway Department HIGHWAYSEd Stuart State Highway Department HIGHWAYSJack Warren Soil Conservation Service AGRICULTUREAl Blomdahl Soil Conservation Service AGRICULTUREDave Yates U.S. Forest Service FOREST USESMorrisRancherAGRICULTUREStokesH.U.S. Forest ServiceMININGWoolschlagerDr. J.GeologistMININGBarksdaleW.Quintana Mining Company MININGLivingstoneJerry Blann Aspen Skiing Corporation DESTINATION SKIING AREAJoe Porter Design Workshops, Inc RECREATION, TOURISMHerbTwisp BusinessmanBUSINESS DEVELOPMENTRosenbergLyle Walker Winthrop Businessman BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTPete Edwards Winthrop Businessman BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTArchieTwisp BusinessmanBUSINESS DEVELOPMENTEiffertBob Ulrich Twisp Businessman BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTBud Pringle Winthrop REA Manager UTILITIESHenry Hamm County Health Department SEWERS AND WATERDonLommassonCounty Planning Department TRAILS PLANRoland Flory District 350 Superintendent SCHOOLSDr. BillMEDICAL FACILITIESHenryANDLocal Physician and NorthCentral WashingtonComprehensive HealthPlanning CouncilJerry Beck County Sheriff LAW ENFORCEMENTPete Arnold Chelan-Douglas Airport AIRPORTSAuthorityAntonArchitectARCHITECTURAL MOTIFMuellerDave Schuy Washington State University ECONOMICSBill Lassey Washington State University SOCIOLOGYGary Poor Washington State University CROSS IMPACTINGBert Geiger County Assessor LAND VALUES, TAXES

Bill LeDrewGig Harbor PlanningCommissionTRANSFER DEVELOPMENT RIGHTSThe results of the Methow Valley Land Use Advisory Committeemeetings were to prepare a summary of citizens concerns, topinpoint goals, objectives and policy statements and to providegrowth management recommendations. Three papers were submitted tothe Okanogan County Regional Planning Commission together withthe committee's goals and policy statement on July 28, 1975. Thethree papers are reproduced on pages 5 through 8.

LAND USEANDQUALITY OF LIFEIt became evident from the public response and attendance at theAdvisory Committee meetings that many of the people of the MethowValley are deeply concerned about what the future holds for the area.There is a love for the intense natural beauty of the valley and forthe high quality of life that such natural surroundings afford, and aconcern that these values may deteriorate as the growth which appearsimminent in the area materializes. There is a concern among thebusiness-people that a means is found to integrate a more stableeconomy into the valley than exists now without giving rise to thisdeterioration.There is a consensus that the future needs to be planned for if thehigh quality of life that currently exists in the Methow is to bepreserved. Quality of life is a factor not easily measured or capturedin words, and yet the human feelings involved are of the utmostimportance. For the people of the Me thaw it is evinced in theatmosphere of intimacy and trust that exist here, in the absence ofmany urban problems (crime, noise, pollution, etc.), in the peace ofmind that the quiet of the valley encourages, in the privacy, in thefreedom of movement amid the open, spaces, and in the freedom to beand to support oneself. These qualities are largely the benefits of alow population density living in a well defined, unspoiled area ofgreat natural beauty. Clean air, clean water, the forests, thefields, the wildlife are all integral parts of the whole, and all havean important place in the planning process.While all growth has accompanying disturbances and problems, certainforms of growth stand out as being particularly destructive to thenatural and human qualities of an area. For the Methow these includesales of raw land in which the developers are not held responsible forthe many hidden costs, small unit subdivision without adequateprovision for open space, large-scale sprawling developments, stripcommercial or residential developments. The study area in general andthe Mazama area in particular are prime targets for development. Ifthere is to be any control of future growth in these areas, theplanning effort must be undertaken immediately.

Methow Valley Land Use AdvisoryCommitteeJuly 28, l975

ECONOMIC STABILITYANDLIMITATIONS OF THE LANDThe problems of economic stability, particularly the maintenance of areasonable level of economic activity year-around has been a problemof the Methow Valley since the original influx of settlers. This canbe attributed to several factors of which extreme climate changes fromsummer to winter, limited amounts of private land and the logisticsinvolving transportation to and from the marketplace are some of themajor factors.The main employers now are the timber, agriculture and recreationindustries. Most other employment, including small business,government, and construction, can be directly related to the threemajor categories. All of these forms of employment are directlyconnected with the seasonal weather variations. These fluctuations andlack of employment opportunities should be taken into consideration inplanning for the Upper Methow Valley.Two of the major employers, timber and agriculture, have beendeclining in the number of people employed. This can be attributedmainly to mechanization, greater equipment costs and a short summer.This leaves recreation and new industry as the basic source ofpotential employers. Heavy industry, in general, is not compatiblewith the geography of the area nor with available and compatibletransportation.While it is not imperative that new employment sources be found it istrue that many young people who leave school also leave the area tofind jobs. Though many of these young people wish to go elsewhere,many also would like to remain. Also, many people move into this areabecause it is a desirable place in which to live. These peoplerequire jobs, too.Realizing that the two basic items we have in the valley which drawpeople here to live and visit are CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER, we mustat all times endeavor to protect the AIR AND WATER. All industry,present and future, must be monitored for highest qualities in air andwater standards.Methow Valley Land Use AdvisoryCommitteeJuly 28, 1975

GROWTH MANAGEMENTHAPHAZARD UNDIRECTED GROWTH is of paramount concern to study arearesidents who turned out at the meetings. Sprawl and leap frogdevelopment not only detract from the desirability of the valley as aplace in which to live, but can adversely affect the natural resourcesof the valley. Characteristically, sprawling development results inhigher costs in public services and facilities. To help assure thatdevelopment will he an asset to the study area and that foreseeableadverse impacts will be minimized, the Methow Valley Land Use AdvisoryCommittee recommends a growth management policy which will:1. Cluster commercial developments and prevent stripdevelopment.2. Protect critical areas such as ground and surface water,flood-plains, wildlife habitats, etc.3. Preserve open space in the form of agricultural lands, greenbelts, wildlife areas, etc.4. Assure development will not be detrimental to the environmentor place excessive cost on existing public facilities andservices.It is apparent to the Methow Valley Land Use Advisory Committee thatno land use regulatory activity which has only a single dimension e.g.zoning, will adequately direct growth in a rapidly growing area suchas the upper Methow may become. The committee is of the opinion thatgrowth must be directed by a combination of measures with good zoningas a basis. Set out in the following paragraphs are possiblealternatives which, when used in combination to fit the specificphysical and geographical conditions of the area, should allow forquality development with a minimum of adversity.Conditional Use Permits ~ Commercial Development. Commercialdevelopments which are consistent with the goals and policies of thiscomprehensive plan should be allowed only on the issuance of aconditional use permit. Adequate standards and criteria which compelcareful examination of cost-benefit relationships in terms of publicservices and facilities, environmental and sociological impacts mustbe prepared.Planned Residential Development. We find residential development inthe traditional small lot grid pattern subdivision not always in thebest interests of the study area. To encourage innovative design, werecommend a development policy that would give incentive to developersfor clustering housing, retaining open space, preserving resources andthe environment, and for working within the framework of thecomprehensive plan. The incentive to the developers would beincreased density over the designated allowable density within a givenzone. The planned residential development, also known as the planned

unit development, would lend itself well in this concept ofresidential development.The growth rate of a community relates directly to the impacts whichwill be felt in the area. For this reason, we recommend the adoptionof the following policies to help keep growth rates manageable:

1. New residential and commercial developments should be allowedonly when a need can be shown.2. Commercial and residential developments should be allowed onlyif either adequate community services and facilities areavailable or the developer is willing to help make themavailable.The foregoing considerations for growth management alternativesreflect the options this committee feels are acceptable and fit theneeds of our study area. We recognize, however, that thesealternatives may not apply to all parts of our study area. There aredistinct differences in the study area which suggests theestablishment of sub-planning units.Methow Valley Land Use AdvisoryCommitteeJuly 28, 1975The three foregoing statements titled "Land Useand QualityOf Life," "Economic Stability and Limitations ofthe Land,and "Growth Management" are not a part of theComprehensivePlan as such, but represent the views of theMethow ValleyLand Use Advisory Committee as constituted July28, 1975.

METHOWPLANNINGAREA NO. 1THE STUDY AREA included in this addendum to Okanogan County'sComprehensive Plan is irregular in shape and contains approximately200 square miles. It includes all private land within the MethowRiver drainage North of the South line of Sections 22, 23 and 24,Township 31 N., Range 22 E.W.M. The study area is the same area asSchool District 350.

Population in the study area is 2,743. 1,616 people live in theunincorporated area, 371 live in the Town of Winthrop and 756 in theTown of Twisp, according to the 1970 census.

PLANNING AREA SUB UNITSSub Unit AThis is the unit closest inproximityto potential futuredevelopments. It is also themost environmentally fragilearea.Sub Units B and CThese are less environmentallyfragile areas and have more“ usable” land. Both areas areclose enough to potential growthareas that development will befelt. SR-20 will continue toimpact this area.Sub Unit DThis area is farthest removedfrom potential developmentimpacts. It is also now themost productive agriculturallands within the study area.

SECTION IIBACKGROUND INFORMATIONThe material presented in the "Background Information" section isnot a part of the Comprehensive Plan as such. This materialconstitutes some of the information and conditions considered by theMethow Valley Land Use Advisory Committee, the Planning Commission andthe Board of County Commissioners. It should not be construed as thesole or even major reason or basis for particular sections orprovisions of the Comprehensive Plan.

INTRODUCTIONToday, from any promontory in the upper Methow Valley in 1975, avisitor can enjoy a distant view of landscapes that are largelyuntouched by man. The mountains, canyons and waterways were explored,probably for the first time, a couple hundred years ago by a handfulof trappers. Before the turn of the century, a few prospectorsentered the inner sanctum of Mother Nature. Then a number ofhomesteaders came. Settlers moved in.Today, because of the opening of the North Cascades Highway, thousandsof people are visiting the unspoiled, fragile and breathtakinglybeautiful Methow Valley. If the worst is not to happen in the MethowValley traditional patterns of development must be changed. Realizingthis, valley residents came to terms early in 1975 with what theywanted the valley to be like twenty, fifty, a hundred years later.Their efforts are reflected in the following pages.NORTH CASCADES HIGHWAYOn September 2, 1972 the North Cascades Highway was opened. Trafficcounts through the year 1975 are provided in the following table onpage 13 The Department of Highways has projected an average dailytraffic figure of 2,400 on the North Cascades Highway by 1990, withsummer weekend peaks of 4,300. The 2,400 figure applies to theexpected 6-month period when the pass will be open. The departmentexpects nonresident traffic in 1975 to be 76 percent of total traffic.If this relationship can be projected to 1990, the predictednonresident average daily traffic will be l;920 and a total, 6-monthnonresident count of 345,600 vehicles in 1990.

NORTH CASCADES HIGHWAY TRAFFIC COUNTS, DATA AND COMPARISONS AT MAZAMA, WA.Month/YearAverage DayAverage:WeekdaySaturdaySundayTotalMay, 1973 1090 640 1700 2220 38,200 Opened 4/27May, 1974May, 1975 579 434 826 808 17,960 Opened 5/16June, 1973 1320 1140 1810 1680 22,420June, 1974 1190 1010 1590 1800 20,290 Opened 6/14June, 1975 1060 806 1403 1612 31,800July, 1973 1770 1575 2280 2216 54,870July, 1974 1684 1396 2285 2335 52,200July, 1975 1437 1219 1895 2115 46,270August, 1973 1990 1769 2678 2605 61,820August, 1974 1927 1689 2750 2453 59,750August, 1975 1708 1408 2208 2164 52,960September,1973September,1974September,19751345 1084 1848 1868 40,3601456 1192 1853 2138 43,6901230 906 1940 1973 36,890October, 1973 645 450 950 1060 19,980October, 1974 1073 702 1550 1893 33,250October, 1975 757 579 1220 1533 20,427November, 1973 117 111 173 210 2,550 Closed 11/21November, 1974 281 159 407 490 5,340 Closed 11/21November, 1975 860 Closed 11/24Source: STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

TOWNS AND COMMUNITIESTwispTwisp is located in the central Methow Valley at the confluence of theTwisp and Methow Rivers. It is the largest town in the valley with anestimated 1975 population of 750. Twisp's early economy was based onmining and agriculture. However, mining has since been replaced bylumbering and tourism. The town's largest industry is the TwispDivision of the Crown Zellerbach Lumber Company.Public facilities include a water system, sanitary sewer and treatmentplant which was under construction in 1975. The town also has parkfacilities and a swimming pool.Twisp has had planning for land use and facilities since early 1960when its comprehensive plan was adopted. The town's PlanningCommission intends to update its plan in light of growth potentialsfacing the area.WinthropWinthrop is the northernmost incorporated town in the Methow Valley,platted and incorporated in 1924. The town originated with theestablishment of the first store in the Methow Valley in 1891. Itgrew through 1940, with its fastest growth in the 1930s. The townpopulation has been relatively constant from 1940 through 1970. Theestimated population in 1975 is 408.

Public facilities include a water system, sanitary sewer and lagoontypesewage treatment facility. The Town of Winthrop also has parkfacilities.In 1972 the town adopted a western style of architecture in itsdowntown district. Town officials intend to maintain this theme. Acomprehensive plan was prepared for Winthrop during the

summer and fall of 1974. There are plans to write a zoning ordinancewhich will, help to perpetuate the "western" theme of the town.Unincorporated CommunitiesWithin the study area are the unincorporated communities of Carlton,Mazama and Heckendorn. Heckendorn is, for all practical purposes, apart of Winthrop because it abuts the town immediately to the south.Carlton and Mazama are located in the southern and northern portionsof the study area respectively. These communities are sparselypopulated with little more in the way of services and facilities thanpost offices, gasoline pumps, grocery store and cafe.Other locations within the study area and outside the incorporatedcommunities may develop into communities. The Sun Mountain Lodge/TwinLakes area and land northwest of Winthrop platted for recreational andsecond home development by the Edelweiss Company have the greatest,immediate potential.

A LOOK AHEADThe possibility of two major developments occurring in the study areawithin the next two to ten years, plus increased use of the NorthCascades Highway, are harbingers of change.The Aspen Skiing Corporation commenced a feasibility study of SandyButte on U.S. Forest Service land in 1974. The mountain and theprivately owned land at its base are being considered for a futuredestination skiing area. Unofficial projections are for a facilitycapable of caring for from 4,000 to 7,000 skiers on any one day. Thepopulation in Sub Unit A of the study area could increase anywherefrom 8,000 to 8,500 people on a peak day.Numerous mining claims have been filed on U.S. Forest Service lands inthe Goat Peak area, also located inside Sub Unit A. An executive of alarge mining corporation predicted in 1975 that open-pit mining wouldoccur in the study area, although he stated that it will not happenuntil after 1980.The ore body is great enough to provide for 35 years of operations,based upon extracting 30-thousand to 40-thousand tons per day,according to a consulting mining engineer. A work force of between600 and 1,000 persons is possible. A concentration plant would beconstructed and concentrates would be trucked to a railhead, then to asmelter.These potential developments, in addition to opening the upper valleyby the North Cascades Highway, have stimulated land sales in the studyarea. By 1975, land prices in Sub Unit A reached $4,500-6,000 per acrefor five to ten-acre parcels. Speculative prices in the $7,000 per

acre range were occasionally seen for small lots. River front lotssold for as high as $7,000 to $14,000 per acre.

In Sub Units B and C, dryland acreage sold for $200 to $1,000 per acreduring the same year, depending upon location and other factors.Smaller tracts, five to ten acres, brought higher prices.In Sub Unit D and to the south, the pace of subdividing is slower andincreased land prices are not as dramatic. However, subdividing hasoccurred and some farmers are concerned about the rising demand forland in the area.As prime parcels of land in the area above Twisp become scarce andmore expensive, it is likely that promoters will be attracted by lowerland prices farther down the valley. Even if marketing efforts forlower valley properties prove unsuccessful, the activity will havedisruptive effects on important agricultural operations.Second HomesTwo important factors regarding the Methow Valley deserve note.First, the valley is quite distant from major population centers--about 190 miles from Spokane and 180 miles from Seattle. Nationally,about 58 percent of existing second homes are less than 100 miles fromtheir owners' residences. Thus, the study area is at the outer limitsof the distance that most families seem willing to drive to use secondhomes. It is possible that, in the future, people will drive longerdistances to enjoy high quality surroundings.Second, for most families there will be no possibility of earning aliving in the valley. Recreational lots and second homes willprobably sell at prices which only the relatively affluent can afford--persons in professional and high-paying occupations. Jobopportunities in the study area for such occupations will be limited.This means that the impact of a given number of second homes on thepermanent population will probably be small.

Destination Skiing AreaThe transient population will be very high should the Aspen SkiingCorporation develop the Sandy Butte area. It is expected thatcondominium development would concentrate at or near to the skiingfacility as it has at other destination skiing areas. It is importantto obtain a commitment on the upper limit of skier days and the numberof skier beds that would be required and compel the corporation tohold with these figures. The number of skiers and skier beds shouldnot be allowed to get out of balance or a seesawing action will occurwith real estate developers and ski mountain developers.MiningThe potential housing needs required by mining and skiing industries,should both materialize, would be significant. Between 600 to 1,000mining families would compete with affluent skiers for private land onwhich to build homes. It is unlikely that many mining employees andski-supportive workers would locate above Winthrop because of highland values, construction costs and real property taxes. Althoughski-supportive personnel are largely transient, mining families arepermanent residents.

15-YEAR POPULATION PROJECTIONA projection of the number of people who may live, work and play inthe study area follows. Numbers are population estimates made by Dr.Lloyd Irland and Ms. Maggie Coon in 1975. Nofigures have been developed to date for potential mining operationsin the study area.Approx.1975-76PopulationProjected1982-83PopulationProjected1989-90PopulationWITHOUT SKI AREA DEVELOPMENTPermanent Population 2800 3100 3300Transient Population* 3700 5300 6700WITH SKI AREA DEVELOPMENTPermanent Population 2800 3600 4600Transient Population1900 4900(Winter)(Summer) 3700 5500 9100*Based on non-resident average daily traffic counts and projections.Source:Lloyd C. Irland, Maggie B. Coon

SECTION IIILAND USE

AGRICULTUREAgriculture in the Methow Valley has included seen production, apples,cattle, milk products, sheep, beans, peas and corn. Today, alfalfa,potatoes, orcharding and cattle production predominate. The studyarea contains 76,000 acres of range-land; 26,000 acres of woodland;11,000 acres in irrigated cropland; 4,300 acres in dry cropland; and1,250 acres in orchard. The 1970 census data show that agriculturecontributes $2.2 million annual income to resident households andemploys 165.Agriculture, particularly in the southern portion of the planningarea, has helped diversify the valley economy for many years. As landvalues increase, working farms are being converted to nonfarm uses.Under present Methow Valley land values, it has become more difficultover the past several years to capitalize an investment in farm landfrom the production of farm commodities. This means as older farmersand ranchers retire, working farms not passed on to family memberswill be converted to small, uneconomical units operated by part-timefarmers or discontinued entirely.The part-time farmer who has an outside job is a chosen way of lifefor many valley residents. Part-time farming adds to family income.Part-time farming and ranching should be encouraged.Methow Valley residents want protection for agriculture. This isessential not only for the necessary food and fibre production, but isessential to a growing tourist and recreation industry. They wantconsideration of land use approaches, taxation techniques and othermeasures which will assure a healthy agricultural industry in thevalley.Policy 1. Encourage adoption of protective land use measures forexisting agricultural land.

Policy 2.Investigate and encourage the preservation of farm landsthrough innovative methods such as transferable developmentrights and land taxes which encourage agriculture, openspace and forest uses.Policy 3. Encourage protection of existing irrigation systems andappurtenant water rights.Policy 4. Encourage public use of private grazing lands through suchthings as development easements.FOREST USESApproximately 65 million board feet of timber is cut each year in theMethow Valley. Most comes from U.S. Forest Service lands. The timberis utilized primarily by the valley's largest employer, CrownZellerbach's Twisp mill.In 1974, the forest products industry employed 206 persons andresulted in income to residents of about $1.8 million. Future cutsare expected to decline because of the exhaustion of old growthstands. This, combined with more efficient harvest methods andprocessing, will mean fewer forest related jobs.Timber is important to the economy of the study area and to thecounty. Forest uses and practices should be planned so as to causeminimal environmental or visual degradation.

Policy 1. Coordinate forest practices so as to minimize impacts oncritical wildlife and fisheries areas.Policy 2. Encourage the adoption of zoning districts to protectprivate wood lots.

Policy 3.Promote uses which expand the multiple use concept.SUBDIVISIONSANDRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTBetween 1909 and 1975, fifty-four plats in the Methow Valley have beenfiled with the County Auditor. The recorded subdivisions account forapproximately 4,260 acres which have been divided into 1,700 lots.Eighty-six percent of these plats are North of Township 32 N.A random sampling of 50 percent of the subdivisions platted between1960 and 1975 accounted for 616 acres. These subdivisions weredivided into 671 lots with an average lot size of 0.92 acre. In 1975it was estimated that between three and four percent of all plattedlots had been improved. Methow Valley residents want to maximize theattractiveness of residential areas by retaining the rural character,feeling of openness and environmental quality of the valley.In Sub Unit A of the study area, recorded subdivisions accounted for1,238 acres in 1975. The acreage was divided into 1,046 lots. Theaverage lot size was 1.18 acres. There are approximately 15,758 acresin Sub Unit A, and most open acreage is being held for futuredevelopment.As development pressures increase, the density of second homes willbecome more crucial in terms of both visual impact and impacts on thephysical environment--water quality, air quality, wildlife habitats,etc.Also, potential commercial and industrial developments which maylocate in the study area could pose additional employee housingproblems. Increased land values and building costs may require

employees in the lower pay bracket to live in mobile homes. Manyvalley residents do not want

mobile homes to dot the landscape so mobile home parks with properscreening should be made available through private development.Employers of large numbers of people should be encouraged to assistwith employee housing that minimizes the costs of public services andthat addresses the Planned Unit Development, Mobile Home Developmentand Architectural Motif suggestions in the "Plan ImplementationMethods," Section VI.Policy 1. Encourage residential and second home developments to locatein proximity of existing community facilities and services.Policy 2. Encourage that employee housing be provided where industrialor recreational developments have large work forces.Policy 3. Encourage subdivision design which will cause theadaptation of subdivision to the topography.Policy 4. Determine the general density levels for areas of futureresidential developments within the limitations of the landand water table.Policy 5. Retain large amounts of open space.Policy 6.Prohibit development designed for human habitation in the100-year floodplain or subject to destruction from geologichazards.Policy 7. Require that residential utilities be installed undergroundwhere feasible.Policy 8. Require that residential developments be reasonably screenedfrom the highway by natural vegetation.Policy 9. Insure that residential developments have minimal fiscalimpacts in terms of providing community facilities andservices.

Policy 10.standards.Encourage the adoption of stringent mobile home park

PUBLIC RECREATIONAL AREASThe Methow Valley has a wide variety of outdoor recreationalopportunities available to visitors and residents. There are twobasic types of recreation areas: concentrated recreation, anddispersed recreation.Concentrated recreation is a category suited for private development.These are uses primarily oriented to recreational opportunities andinclude overnight campgrounds, guest ranches, golf courses, swimmingpools, ski areas, etc.Dispersed recreation occurs over large areas. Hunting, fishing,hiking, and rock climbing are examples of uses which require extensiveareas of natural terrain.It is anticipated that future energy policies will have an effect ongasoline consumption for recreational uses. The result may be areduction in the growth rate of short-stay tourism in the study area.It may also increase the percentage of tourists who spend longerperiods of time in the area.Policy 1. Provide adequate space for both concentrated and dispersedrecreational pursuits.Policy 2.Limit development of access into dispersed recreationalareas where a certain amount of "aloneness" is necessary.

# Name CampSitesTrailerSites# Name CampSitesTrailerSites1 Ballard 6 1 18 Liberty Bell 75 752 Big Twin Lake 30 70 19 Lone Fir 63 Black Pine29 6 20 Lost River* 6Lake4 Buck Lake 4 21 Memorial 25 Camp 4 4 22 Nice 36 Chewack 4 23 Patterson Lake* 50 137 Crazy Horse* 58 24 Pearrygin Lake8 Early Winters 6 State Park 58 309 Falls Creek 2 25 Pine Near* 25 4010 Flat 10 26 Poplar Flat 14 111 Foggy Dew 15 27 Rattlesnake 312 Gate Creek 3 28 River Bend* 10 6713 Honeymoon 5 29 River Bend 414 Horseshoe* 37 30 Roads End 415 Klipchuck 26 31 Ruffed Grouse 416 KOA* 30 72 32 South Creek 417 Len’s33 War Creek 4PearryginLake 64 64 34 Yock’s Place* 10498 556

RECREATION VISITS TO OKANOGAN NATIONAL FORESTANDNORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARKNORTH CASCADESOKANOGAN NATIONAL FORESTYEAR PARK* TWISP &WINTHROPDISTS.PASAYTENWILDERNESSTOTALFOREST1968 n.a. 409,000 73,000 603,0001969 n.a. 467,000 162,000 642,0001970 295,000 452,000 88,000 619,0001971 216,000 484,000 100,000 694,0001972 552,000 574,000 30,000** 776,0001973 872,000 808,000 41,000 1,410,0001974 885,000 801,000 43,000 1,001,000*Park Service estimates based on traffic counts. Park opened in 1968.**Changes of measurement system accounts for most of decline.Sources: National Park Service, Sedro Woolley Office, United StatesForest Service, Okanogan NF Supervisor's Office.

COMMERCEThe basic business sectors in the Methow Valley include agriculture,forestry, government, tourism and recreation. The 1975 levels forjob market and personal incomes for sectors are as follows:SECTOR $ MILLIONS PERSONS EMPLOYEDAgriculture 2.2 165Forest 1.8 206Recreation and Tourism 1.5 100Government 1.6 133Other 1.6 304TOTAL 71 908Since the opening of the North Cascades Highway, the tourist andrecreation industry is the fastest growing economic segment. Manybusinesses report 200% increase in dollar volume since 1972. The1974 taxable retail sales for Twisp and Winthrop were $4,539,000 and$1,672,000 respectively. This compares with $90,200,000 for all ofOkanogan County.Many young people find that they must leave the valley if they are torealize career expectations. Opportunities for becoming establishedeconomically in the valley are limited.Methow Valley residents want to stabilize the economic base bydiversifying employment opportunities which offer year around jobs.However, residents want commercial development to be compatible withother activities found in the valley and not degrade the high qualityof the environment and life style.

Policy 1.Prohibit strip development within the study area.Policy 2.Require future commercial development in the study area tolocate only in areas appropriately zoned in the vicinity ofMazama, Twisp, Winthrop or Carlton.Policy 3.Discourage commercial zoning of good agricultural lands andopen space land.Policy 4.Signs shall be limited in size, be made of naturalmaterials whenever practical, and be indirectly illuminated.Policy 5.Utilities shall be underground where feasible.INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTThe potential for light, nonpolluting industrial activities existsin the study area. Viewed as industry are forest productsprocessing, fruit and agricultural production, minerals extraction,outdoor recreation, tourism and manufacturing.All of these resource uses have the potential to create economicwealth for the county and provide employment for its residents. Atthe same time, if not properly managed, each could destroy thecharacter and environment of the valley.In 1974 mining interests and a skiing corporation commenced lookingat areas in the upper Methow Valley for possible future development.If either or both initiate large developments, there will be asignificant impact on other segments of the valley's industrialsector.

The citizens of the Methow Valley have expressed a desire to encouragediversification of nonpolluting industry compatible with theenvironment which will aid in stabilizing the valley's economy.

Policy 1. Confine industrial development, to a limited number ofareas.Policy 2.Permit industrial development having obnoxious featuresonly upon the issuance of a conditional use permit.Policy 3.Signs should be limited in size, aesthetically pleasing and,where possible, be made of natural materials and illuminatedindirectly.

SECTION IVCOMMUNITY FACILITIES

WITH REGARD TO THE UTILITIES AND SERVICESDESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, THE COST TO THEPUBLIC FOR A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL, WHERE THEYAPPEAR DISCOURAGINGLY HIGH, MUST BE INTERNALIZEDBY CHARGING IDENTIFIABLE COSTS BACK INTO THEPRICE STRUCTURE OF THOSE WHOSE PROFIT OBJECTIVESARE BEING ACCOMMODATED .TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATIONState Routes No. 20 and No. 153 are the main thoroughfares in theMethow Valley. The State Highway Department's Six Year ImprovementPlan calls for construction of the SR-20 Winthrop By-Pass and SR-20seal coating from Rainy Pass to Okanogan. Future plans call foreventual construction and renovation of the present State Highway to a"major" classification with partial access control. The Highway fromSedro Woolley to Pateros is classified as scenic route. During 1975,an average of 1,270 cars traveled SR-20 each day. The stateprojection for 1990 is a daily volume of 2,400 vehicles.Other roadways in the valley are either part of the County System orare on Forest Service lands. County construction plans call forrebuilding County Road No. 9129 between Winthrop and Twisp andimprovement of other minor roads.The valley has a number of traffic generators in the study area whichmust be considered in land use planning. They are the IntercityAirport, Pearrygin Lake State Park, the North Cascades Highway.

The Intercity Airport is currently being used as the base for the U.S.Forest Service's aerial fire suppression and for limited private andcommercial purposes.Trails planning to diversify circulation systems has been done by theState Highway Department, U.S. Forest Service and Department ofNatural Resources. State Highways No. 20 and No. 153 have beendesignated as part of the state wide bicycle corridor. OkanoganCounty has also developed a trails plan for bicycles, horses andpedestrians. The county plan is being coordinated with the state andU.S. Forest Service. Present land use practice has required thatcommercial buildings northwesterly of Winthrop be set back from thecenterline of SR-20 at least 300 feet as a conditional use permitrequirement. Regulated subdivisions must be served by improved publicroads.Valley residents want to insure that all transportation systems servethe land. Additionally, design and construction should encourage landuse consistent with the goals of this plan.Policy 1.Encourage access control plans for state highways and countyroads that limit access for commercial purposes unless atMazama, Winthrop, Twisp or Carlton.Policy 2.Encourage the 300-foot building setback distance from thecenterline of state highways and 130-foot setback distancefrom the centerline of county roads for commercialbuildings.Policy 3. Encourage construction design that allow safe crossing bycattle and wildlife, i.e. underpasses.Policy 4.Where appropriate, provide areas along road right-of-way forbicycle, pedestrian and horse traffic.

Policy 5. Require adoption of development regulations which assurecompletion of roads within private developments.Policy 6. Develop a highway information system that provides adequateinformation to travelers without degrading the environment.Policy 7. Limit airport construction to existing sites and encourageconfinement of commercial air traffic to Intercity Airport.Policy 8. Limit traffic speeds to reasonable levels which will servethe valley and compliment the aesthetics of the area.Policy 9 . Develop a comprehensive trails plan for the study area.Policy 10. Develop land use regulations for airports and adjacent landsconsistent with FAA standards.Policy 11.Promote the creation of a comprehensivetransportation and tourist parking analysis of the studyarea.SEWER AND WATERSewer and water systems in the unincorporated areas of the MethowValley are nonexistent. Winthrop developed a sewage lagoon system in1973 and Twisp developed a sewage treatment and collection system in1975. Sewage elsewhere in the valley is by septic tank systems inaccordance with Okanogan County Health Department requirements. Watersystems are by individual wells except in a very few plattedsubdivisions.Studies commenced in 1974 to determine water quality baselineinformation. R.W. Beck and Associates completed a Sewage DrainageBasin Plan for the Okanogan, Methow and Nespelem River Basins in 1975.

The Department of Natural Resources completed a study of depth toground water in 1975.The Methow Valley is a huge glacial trench which was filled to a depthof 500-1000 feet with deposits of large cobble when the last glacierreceded. The character of this deposit is extremely porous allowingthe water table to fluctuate freely within the deposit. It rises towithin a few feet of the surface during spring run off and is lowestduring winter months. These conditions mean that there is a greatpotential for groundwater contamination from on-site sub-surfacesewage disposal.Citizens of the Methow Valley are concerned about contamination to thewater supply and feel that the number of septic tank systems permittedin the valley should be controlled. Utility Local ImprovementDistricts should be formed in areas where the potential for pollutionrequires central treatment facilities.Policy 1. Develop an on-going water quality monitoring system.Policy 2.Require sewer and water systems for commercial, industrialand large residential developments.Policy 3. Prohibit septic tanks and drainfields in critical areas wheneffluent constitutes the threat of water pollution.Policy 4. Establish Utility Local Improvement Districts to assureparticipation of all parties in community sewage disposal atall sites designated for commercial development prior todevelopment.Policy 5.Provide protection of existing water rights from futurewater users, i.e. zoning options.

Policy 6. Reevaluate county sewage disposal regulations in light ofserious pollution potential in the study area.HEALTH CAREHealth care facilities in the study area consist of a Medical Centerin Twisp. The Medical Center has a laboratory with an emergency roomapproved by several insurance agencies in lieu of

hospitalization. The center is used for out-patient surgery andobstetrics and has been designated as the North Cascades Trauma Centerfor stabilizing accident victims.The Medical Center is a corporation employing two doctors, a medicaltechnologist, x-ray technician, laboratory technician, and medicalsecretaries.The Methow Valley Home Health Agency, created in 1968, is a nonprofitcharitable corporation. The agency operates two ambulances owned bythe Medical Center and is the sponsor of home nursing services.The citizens of the Methow Valley are concerned that health carefacilities and capabilities are adequate.Policy 1. Encourage communication between public and private healthcare agencies to eliminate duplication of effort orfacilities.Policy 2.Establish policy which will encourage adequate health carefacilities and capabilities.Policy 3. Provide for adequate space, appropriately located, forfuture health care facilities.LAW ENFORCEMENTLaw enforcement in the Methow Valley is maintained by three countydeputies, two state patrolmen, two officers of the Winthrop PoliceDepartment, and two deputies assigned to the Twisp and Winthrop rangerdistricts.The National Association of Chiefs of Police recommend a standardratio of 1.5 officers per 1,000 population. Based on this ratio for ayear around population of 2,700 residents, four officers normally

would provide adequate police protection. Because of the remotenessof the area and the large influx of summer visitors, it is believedthis ratio is too low.One of the most serious problems in the study area with lawenforcement is radio communications between the Sheriffs office inOkanogan and that portion of the Methow Valley that is above theWeyman Bridge.

Policy 1.Encourage large developments which create significantburdens to assist law enforcement agencies.EDUCATIONSchool District #350 had an enrollment of 692 students in 1974-1975.Enrollment over the last two and one-half years has been declining inthe Methow Valley.A study commenced in 1975 within the School District to determine theneeds for new programs and facilities. Part of that study willinclude a projection on the demographic make-up of the valley. Withthe present population, facilities are adequate but cannot absorb muchof an increase without requiring additional space.In 1974, the capacities of schools within the district were asfollows:Liberty Bell High School 160 studentsJr. High School169 studentsElementary School289 studentsKindergarten74 studentsTOTAL 692Policy 1. Provide for adequate space, appropriately located, forfuture educational facilities.Policy 2. Encourage cooperation and communication in fact-finding andprojection efforts between School District #350 and privateor governmental agencies in the future.FIRE PROTECTION

Fire protection exists in all of the study area. To compound fireproblems steep and timbered slopes frequently abut areas coming underdevelopment pressures. Apart from Fire District No. 6,

the U.S. Forest Service has the primary responsibility for firecontrol in the study area. The use of U.S. Forest Service equipmentis not authorized for recreational subdivision protection and for theprotection of private cabins or structures unless the fire poses athreat to the surrounding forest.The Town of Twisp has the following fire fighting equipment:1 truck (new), 500-gallon tanker, 1000-gallon pumper.1 truck, 750-gallon tanker, 1000-gallon pumper (Owned byFire District No. 6 Housed and maintained by the Town ofTwisp.)1 truck, 1500-gallon tanker.1 pickup truck used for emergency vehicle.The Town of Winthrop has the following fire fighting equipment:1 truck, 1500-gallon tanker.1 small pumper truck, no storage capacity.1 truck, 500-gallon tanker, 750-gallon pumper.1 emergency van (old) used to carry firemen to fire.The unincorporated area of Mazama has a 1952 International truck, 500-gallon tanker, 750-gallon pumper. The unincorporated area of Carltonhas a 1949 Dodge truck, 500-gallon tanker, 750-gallon pumper. FireDistrict No. 6 plans to purchase new fire trucks for both Mazama andCarlton.Sun Mountain Lodge has a truck with a 1000-gallon tanker capable ofpumping 300 gallons per minute. Lost River has a truck with 250-gallon tanker, pump with 60-70 p.s.i. Edelweiss has a truck with a500-gallon tanker, pumps up to 140 p.s.i. Structures in theunincorporated portions of the study area are in Class 10 for fireinsurance.*

Factors which must be considered in evaluating any new development arethe distance from a fire station, the availability of water, proximityof equipment and personnel, communications systems and access tostructures.*Fire insurance Class 10 is for any structure unprotected for firelocated more than 3 miles from a fire station.Policy 1.Require new developments (industrial, commercial,residential or recreational) to provide adequate fireprotection plans as a part of proposals.Policy 2. Provide for adequate space and equipment, appropriatelylocated, for future fire protection facilities.'UTILITIESThe study area is served with utilities for both telephone andelectricity. Telephone service is provided by the Rainier TelephoneCompany of Ilwaco, Washington for 1,075 users. Electricity isprovided by the Okanogan County Electric Co-Op and the Okanogan CountyP.U.D., both of which purchase power from the Bonneville PowerAdministration.The Okanogan County Electric Co-Op under the Rural ElectricAssociation served 1,054 users in the upper portion of the MethowValley during 1973 and 1,128 during 1974. This slight increase inuser numbers is fairly uniformly distributed. Residences increasedfrom 631 in 1972 to 691 in 1974; commercial users increased from 101to 121 during that same period; irrigation electrical use increasedfrom 94 to 103 users; and seasonal electrical users increased from 174in 1972 to 221 in 1974

Carlton-Twisp area. Residential users increased from 332 in 1973 to347 in 1974 while commercial users went from 107 in 1973 to 111 in1974. Irrigation users are included in the residential and commercialfigures.Total kilowatt hours of electricity delivered by both the Electric Co-Op and the Okanogan P.U.D. increased from 17,655,621 in 1973 to19,274,469 in 1974.Geothermal applications have been received by the U.S. Forest Servicein an area located southwest of the Town of Winthrop inside the studyarea.

Policy 1.Minimize visual impacts of new utility construction andinstallation.Policy 2. Require underground utilities in developments wherefeasible.PUBLIC BUILDINGSPublic buildings are an important part of community facilities whichhouse necessary equipment, personnel and material for serving thepublic. The citizens of the Methow Valley have expressed a desire tominimize the cost of community facilities while, at the same time,insuring that they are adequate to meet the needs.Sites for county and state highway shops, new fire stations, schoolsand new or expanded medical facilities typify the public needs thatmust be provided for if extensive development occurs in the studyarea. Property which is appropriately located for new buildingsshould be acquired in advance of need and put to an alternate use orleft as open space to eliminate future higher acquisition costs to thepublic or possible condemnation.Valley residents also want to avoid duplication of public buildings.Joint use of local, state and federal facilities should be made wherethis is practical. Joint tenancy by agencies providing publicservices should be encouraged.

SECTION VSENSITIVE AREAS

SUB UNIT A WATER TABLEA depth-to-groundwater study was made by the Department of NaturalResources in the spring of 1975 using resistivity and seismic methods.Depths are platted on a map with 5-foot contour lines and a scale of 1inch to 200 feet. The original map is in the Okanogan County PlanningDepartment. It was learned that the average depth-to-groundwater fromWinthrop northwesterly up the valley floor was between 5 and 7 feetduring May, 1975.On May 4, 1973 geologist Don Ringe of Central Washington State Collegevisited the Methow Valley, giving special consideration to the MazamaBridge site, and the following excerpts are taken from Dr. Ringe'sreport:"...development in the Methow Valley must be required toreturn essentially pure water to the groundwater surfacewater system. Contaminated water may well 'channel' throughthe coarse gravels and enter the system unfiltered andrelatively unchanged. Small residences which are properlyspaced and set back several hundred feet from the stream donot pose a critical threat to the groundwater system if theyhave proper septic tanks. Even this type of developmentmust be discouraged if the septic systems become toonumerous or too concentrated."Large developments such as restaurants, motels, and thelike must take steps to provide pollution-free effluent.The discharge of large quantities of waste water fromcommercial operations greatly enhances the possibility. ofpolluting the groundwater and streams."Policy 1. Assure sewage effluents do not enter groundwater.

Policy 2. Establish density requirements, such as dwelling units peracre to protect groundwater from pollution and make a partof the Health Department sewage disposal ordinance.Policy 3.Not allow siting of sewage disposal systems or other sourcesof contaminates in areas where groundwater is atunacceptable depths.

Note: "Unacceptable depths" are the subject of a report made by acommittee comprised of personnel from the Soil Conservation Service,Washington State University Extension Service, Department of Ecology,U. S. Forest Service, State Health Department, County HealthDepartment, Department of Natural Resources, and Geologist JulianBarksdale.FLOODPLAINSThe Methow, Chewack and Twisp rivers have well-defined floodplains. Afloodplain study, conducted by the Soil Conservation Service, wascompleted for the Chewack River in 1975 on private lands to the U.S.Forest Service boundaries. Two floodplain studies combined provideflood information on the Methow River from Mazama to Carlton. (R.W.Beck and Associates, a Seattle Consulting Engineering firm, completeda flood information study from Twisp to Mazama in 1973. ConsultingEngineers, Norman Associates, completed a flood information study fromTwisp to Carlton in 1974.)As a result of the Federal Disaster Act of 1973 and the subsequentNational Flood Insurance Program, any person or firm seeking a loanfrom any agency insured by the federal government must purchase floodinsurance if construction is in the 100-year floodplain. Theengineering firm of CH2M-HILL is under contract with the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide floodinformation studies on the Twisp River and portions of the MethowRiver not studied and which fall within the study area. Workcommenced in 1975 and is expected to be completed in 1976.Copies of flood information studies which have been completed are onfile in the Okanogan County Planning Department.

Policy 1.No structures for permanent human habitation or anysewage disposal facilities shall be allowed in the areasinundated by the 100-year flood.METHOW, CHEWACK AND TWISP RIVERSThe Methow River and its principal tributaries, the Chewack and Twisprivers, are classified

as being in floodway zones, according to Wolf G. Bauer 5 system ofclassifying rivers into geologic-hydraulic zones.A floodway zone is described as having a river channel characterizedby an intermediate gradient of from 5 feet to 25 feet per mile inwhich the predominant material in the channel bed ranges in size fromcobblestones to small gravel and where the combination of currentenergy and increasing width of valley floor encourages meandering witha frequently flooded, multi-channel streamway.The environment of the Methow, Chewack and Twisp rivers not onlycontain useful and inviting sand and gravel spits, bars, islands andbeaches, but also magnificent stream-side groves and natural parkareas that screen meadows, backwater ponds and wildlife sanctuariesfrom the nearby activities of people.Since the floodway is a velocity zone during high water stages, it isconstantly being re-sculptured with the scouring of new channels andthe abandonment of others, creating islands that give it a braidedappearance. This constant rechanneling action is partly due to thecurrent-divertingnature of uprooted trees, snags, stumps and log jamsthat act as deflection baffles in one instance and bank protectionbarriers in another.Thus far the rivers have remained largely unspoiled retreats enjoyedby adjacent property owners, local residents and occasional riverfloaters and fishermen. They are sanctuaries for fish and wildlifewhich account for the scenic and recreational values.Special care must be exercised with respect to adjacent tractdevelopments and private cabins locating within the velocity corridor.Such encroachments have invited channel modifications bank-dumpingsand junk-revetments as well as diking practices that have already ledto disruption and a loss of the streamway heritage values. Trainingdikes are often the first feeble attempt to

deflect highwater currents. Where these are washed out or overtopped,or cause new erosion points elsewhere, the resulting higher lossesthen set the stage for channel straightening, canalizing and bankdiking. Thus, the recreational and aesthetic values of the. riverscan be lost.Policy 1.Protect the natural character of the shoreline.WILDLIFEMule deer and Blue grouse populations in the Methow Valley are amongthe largest in the Pacific Northwest. Nongame species are varied andabundant. Bald eagles winter along the rivers in the valley. Thevalley's wildlife resources add significantly to the quality of lifeand economics (sportmen's dollars) of the area.Weather is the primary factor affecting changes in deer populations.Game Department officials consider the preservation of high qualitywintering areas key to maintaining deer herds. Wintering areassupport an average of 122 deer per square mile. Better quality rangescan winter upwards of 200 deer per square mile. Ranges are used from120 to 160 days each winter. Game experts point out that loss orranges on federal , state and private lands would result in the lossof 75 percent to 80 percent of the deer herd in the valley.Valley residents want to maintain and enhance present levels ofwildlife by preserving wintering wildlife areas. In a questionnaireprepared by the Methow River Basin Steering Committee in 1974, nearly95 percent of those responding indicated populations of wildlifeshould be maintained or enhanced. Only 5 percent were willing todevelop lands which would result in wildlife losses. Thequestionnaire was mailed to 1161 households in the Methow Valley.Over 35 percent of the households responded (412).

Policy 1. Discourage development adversely affecting critical and keywildlife areas.Policy 2.Adopt dog control measures to protect deer on winteringareas.Policy 3. Protect valley fisheries habitat by maintaining adequatestream flow, subject to existing water rights.AIR QUALITYAir quality data has been collected by the Okanogan County HealthDepartment since February 1975 at two points within the study area.One station is located at Mazama, Highway No. 20 and Early WintersRoad. The other is located at the Old Ranger Station in Winthrop.Data reports from these two stations show ambient air quality is veryhigh compared to other areas of the county and state. For 1975,reports from Mazama and Winthrop show means of 38 and 35 milligramsper cubic meter of suspended solids respectively. The acceptablemaximum set by the Department of Ecology is 150 milligrams per cubicmeter of suspended solids. Maximums for Mazama and Winthrop were 96and 101 respectively for the same period.For purposes of comparison, the particulate sampler located at theOkanogan Shopping Center during 1975 showed a mean of 64 and a maximumof 205 milligrams per cubic meter.Policy 1. Encourage measures which will assure clean and healthfulair.Policy 2. Control burning during air inversion periods.

Policy 3. Encourage investigation of air shed characteristics.

SECTION IVPLAN IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION METHODSThe methods by which local governments can achieve development goalsare through land use regulations and administrative decisions. Landuse regulations include the codes and ordinances used to regulate thechange in land uses. Administrative decisions are not so commonlyassociated with planning but with the general administration ofgovernment. They do affect the planning effort because they treatcapital improvements, budgeting and interagency cooperation.Zoning Ordinance:Zoning should be flexible, insofar as undeveloped areas are concerned,unless a policy which takes into consideration the desires of thepeople in the area have established the desire for maintaining orencouraging a prior use or character of the land. Of the severalkinds of codes and ordinances available as tools for guiding land use,the zoning ordinance is most important. Zoning, almost exclusively,regulates the use of the land.Okanogan County is operating under an Interim Zoning Ordinance No.1970-5 adopted in August, 1970 and subsequently amended three times.The greatest portion of the county is zoned Rural Use The only areasin the county Zoned differently are in the study area, in Sub Unit A.The land one mile on either side of the Methow River is zonedRecreational Residential from the town of Winthrop to the U.S. ForestService boundary northwesterly of Winthrop. A portion of land betweenthe Methow River and the North Cascade Highway (SR-20), and westerlyof the Harts Pass Road, is zoned Tourist Commercial.Planned Unit Development:

The Methow Valley Land Use Advisory Committee members believe thatresidential development in the traditional small lot grid patternsubdivision is not always in the best interest of the valley. Toencourage innovative design, the committee supports a developmentpolicy which will give incentive to developers for clustering housing,retaining open space, preserving the natural resources and theenvironment.

The incentive to developers may include increased density over thedesignated allowable density within a given zone.Mobile Home Development:Recent court decisions show that land use regulations cannotunreasonably preclude mobile homes from an area. Additionally, mobilehomes provide relatively low-cost housing. The Methow Valley Land UseAdvisory Committee recommended that mobile homes be encouraged tolocate in mobile home courts which meet high standards relative toscreening and other environmental considerations.Subdivision Ordinance:Subdivision regulations govern the manner in which land may be dividedand prepared for development. The regulations outline subdivisionprocedures, design standards and minimum improvements such as streetsand utilities to be installed by the developer.Okanogan County is operating under Platting Ordinance, No. 70-2adopted in April, 1970 with a number of subsequent amendments. AShort Subdivision Platting Ordinance, No. 74-3, was adopted inDecember, 1974.Uniform Building Codes:Adoption of the uniform building code and similar codes of plumbing,mechanical and fire on January 1, 1975 were required by the StateLegislature. These codes are intended to establish minimum standardsof safe design and construction for structures in Okanogan County. Acounty building inspection department was established in May, 1975.

Signing:It is recognized that the purpose of signing is to inform, warn oradvertise. It is also acknowledged that proliferation of signs maydestroy scenic qualities and even reduce the effectiveness ofindividual signs. The Methow Valley Land Use Advisory Committeedesires that signing in the study area conform with the pastoral andhistorical characteristics of the valley be in keeping with the ruralcharacter of the valley, and be made of natural materials indigenousto the valley wherever possible. It is their desire to prohibitcommercial flashing or neon signs in the unincorporated area. Theillumination of signs, except where required for the health and safetyof the public, should be of an indirect nature whenever possible.Architectural Motif:Encouragement should be given to enhancing the rural character of thevalley. The architect, home builder, building supply dealers andcommercial contractors should be encouraged to play leadership rolesin helping develop motif compatible to the character of the valley.The Town of Winthrop has established an architectural motif which mostresidents believe should be encouraged. The issuance of allconditional use permits should address architecture and buildingmaterials.Transferable Development Rights:TDR's may offer an equitable method for directing growth. The conceptcan be used to retain agricultural lands, protect environmentallysensitive areas such as wildlife habitats, groundwater recharge areasand floodplains. The Methow Valley Land Use Advisory Committeesuggested that the transferable development rights should beconsidered as an alternative land use measure.

The concept of TDRs has the following advantages:1. Eliminates the wind-fall, wipe-out problem associatedwith traditional zoning.2. All land owners benefit from the growth of an area bymarketing their development "shares."3. Encourages retention of agricultural practices.4. Helps prevent sprawl.5. The concept is environmentally sensitive.6. Places the cost burden of retaining open spaces andprotecting the environment on developers, not onlocal government.Capital Improvement ProgramAn important tool of local government is the capital improvementprograms. Major capital improvements, i.e., streets, schools, majorutility expansions, parks and others are important to the planningprocess. The use of such a formalized capital improvement programenables the local government and the public-at-large to anticipate theeffect large public works may have on long term finances. Also, theimpact of large public works affect the timing of private developmentdecisions.Environmental Assessments:In compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act of 1971,developers must fill out an environmental assessment worksheet for allprojects which are not categorically exempt from the law. This

assessment worksheet will aid the responsible agency to determinewhether a negative environmental declaration should be filed with thestate regarding a project, or whether an environmental impactstatement should be prepared. If an environmental impact statement isrequired, the developer should be required to provide a detailedenvironmental assessment with all pertinent facts required by theimpact statement.Shoreline Management:The State Shoreline Management Act has jurisdiction for regulatingactivity and development within 200 feet of lakes over 20 acres andstreams with a mean annual flow of 20 cubic feet per second. Permitsfor substantial development on rural shorelines are issued by thecounty in accordance with Department of Ecology guidelines and localregulations. The natural character, existing development andcapabilities of the shoreline help establish criteria which newdevelopments must meet. The following lakes, rivers and creeks arelocated in the study area and are subject to the Shorelines ManagementAct:Methow RiverChewack RiverTwisp RiverWolf CreekBeaver CreekPatterson LakePearrygin LakeTwin LakesMoccasin LakeDavis LakeAfter July 1, 1977 the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers will haveauthority over all waters of the United States.On-going Planning Efforts:Greater knowledge and expanded public participation should be soughtafter. Long-term decisions must be based upon factual information. If

they are not, the monetary and natural resource losses to both countyresidents and responsible developers can be inestimable.It is realized that a general increase in the economic sophisticationof those who formulate public policy is needed, too. A fifteen-yearcash flow projection for the study area should be undertaken

to assist local governments anticipate both revenues and expensesincurred by developments.An on-going Methow Valley Land Use Advisory Committee should meetregularly and make recommendations to the Board of CountyCommissioners, the Planning Commission, the Board of Adjustment and toPlanning Department employees on land use practices in the study area.To this end the Planning Commission, at its September 22, 1975meeting, appointed the following persons to the Methow Valley Land UseAdvisory Committee No. 2:Name:Address:John AbramsTwispDonna BurkhartWinthropOrvan CampbellTwispCarol DavisWinthropDoug DevinWinthropJames DonaldsonCarltonArchie EiffertTwispIvan GunthersonTwispBob HultWinthropJohn HuseltonWinthropBill KarroMazamaRandy LevineCarltonHerb RosenbergTwispVicky WelchTwisp

APPENDIXSTUDIES

METHOW VALLEY ECONOMIC GROWTH IMPACT STUDYLloyd C. Irland, EconomistMaggie B Coon, United States Forest ServiceJanuary, 1976, 38 pps.Summary of economic studies on the Methow Valley. Paperswritten by Lloyd C. Irland, Maggie B. Coon and Dave Schuy arecondensed and important conclusions are provided. Personsinterested in more detailed information should read originalpapers in their entirety.ECONOMIC BASE OF THE UPPER METHOW VALLEYLloyd C. Irland, EconomistUnited States Forest Service1975, 24 pps.Estimates of the current economic base of the study area.Trends in population, current employment, personal incomeestimates, recreation and tourism are treated.RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES IN THE METHOW VALLEYBACKGROUND, OUTLOOK AND IMPACTSLloyd C. Irland, EconomistUnited States Forest Service1975, 12 pps.This paper reviews national background on the market forrecreation properties. Estimates of current recreational landmarket are reviewed. Projections are made for the year 1990 forlot sales and second home construction. Projects are brieflytranslated into employment, tax base and land use impacts.PUBLIC SECTOR ANALYSIS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 350Maggie B. Coon, Okanogan National ForestDave Schuy, Extension Economist, Washington State University1975, 19 pps.This paper describes School District revenue sources. Comparesexpenditures of SD No. 350 with other districts of similar sizeand with districts influenced by rapid ski area development.Information should be used in conjunction with populationprojections to evaluate future spending levels and revenuebalance.PUBLIC SECTOR ANALYSIS LAW ENFORCEMENTMaggie B. Coon, Okanogan National Forest1975, 9 pps.

This paper evaluates current staffing, facilities and levels ofexpenditure for law enforcement in the county as a whole and inthe Methow Valley. Background on experience at Aspen, Vail andSun Valley is presented for comparative purposes.

PUBLIC, SECTOR ANALYSIS ROAD SYSTEMMaggie B. Coon, Okanogan National ForestDave Schuy, Extension Economist, Washington State University1975, 11 pps.This paper describes the extent of the road system maintainedby the Okanogan County Road Department and the towns of Twispand Winthrop. Current levels of expenditure for road operationsare analyzed. An analysis of current road department revenuesis also included.PROJECTIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND POPULATION TO 1990"WITHOUT" SKI DEVELOPMENTLloyd C. Irland, EconomistOkanogan National Forest1975, 7 pps.A MAJOR DESTINATION SKI AREA AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPACT:PROJECTION OF POPULATION, EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING EFFECTS TO1990 WITH SKI AREA DEVELOPMENTMaggie B. Coon, Okanogan National Forest 1975, 12 pps.Hypothetical ski resort is presented and its dimensions areoutlined in the paper's appendices and in the paper titled:"Projecting Revenues:Real Property Tax Base and Sales Tax." Treats permanentpopulation increases during initial construction, duringpartial and peak skier use, and from second homes. Also treatstransient population summer and winter, permanent school-agepopulation.PROCEDURES FOR ESTIMATING CHANGES IN GOVERNMENTREVENUE FROM ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE METHOW VALLEYDave F. Schuy, Extension EconomistWashington State UniversitySeptember, 1975, 35 pps.Report provides background information on revenue sources oflocal and state governments. The information is necessary toestimate changes in revenues resulting from economic growth,and it is a linkage between results of the economic baseanalysis and predictions of revenue changes.PROJECTING REVENUES: REAL PROPERTY TAX BASE ANDSALES TAX WITHOUT AND WITH SKI RESORT DEVELOPMENTMaggie B. Coon, Okanogan National Forest 1975, 17 pps.Property tax and sales tax projections are made for 1982-83 andfor 1989-90. Property tax projections for land and second home

values are provided both 'with' and 'without' ski resortdevelopment. Sales tax increases are provided for ski areavisitors, employee spending and outlays for second homeoccupants.

PUBLIC EXPENDITURES: WITH AND WITHOUT SKI RESORT DEVELOPMENTMaggie B. Coon, Okanogan National Forest 1975, 22 pps.Paper describes methods of projecting county, town and schooldistrict expenditures both "with" and "without" ski resortdevelopment assumptions. Introductory tables summarize currentexpenditure levels for public services and unit costs are usedto project futureexpenditures. Expenditures for law enforcement, roads andschools are analyzed in detail.IMPACT OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT ON COUNTY FINANCES - OVERVIEWMaggie B. Coon, Okanogan National Forest1975, 11 pps.Paper describes the potential alternatives for management ofthe airport facility which would be required to serve a majordestination ski resort. Possible methods of financing theplanning, construction and operation of such a facility isoutlined.METHOW VALLEY GROWTH IMPACT STUDYCOST/REVENUE BALANCE AND IMPLICATIONSMaggie B. Coon, Okanogan National, Forest1975, 12 pps.The purpose of this paper is to align expenditures and revenueprojections.Other papers have outlined the expected changes in expendituresand a method for calculating revenues to different governmentjurisdictions. The purpose of this paper is to alignexpenditures and revenue projections.APPLICATION OF INPUT-OUTPUTAND ECONOMIC BASE STUDIESLloyd C. Irland, EconomistUnited States Forest Service1975, 14 pps.An introduction to the use of Input-Output and economic basetechniques in small area economic studies. A few appliedstudies areapplied which use these techniques to analyze small areasdependent upon forest products, grazing and tourism.BACKGROUND PAPER--THE SKI MARKET ANDECONOMIC IMPACTS OF SKI RESORTSLloyd C. Irland, Economist

United States Forest Service1975, 17 pps.Background paper with highlights from available studies on theeconomic impacts of

winter resorts. First, general data on the national andregional ski market are reviewed. Next, economic impacts ofwinter resorts are considered. Finally, public sector impactsand the incidence of costs and gains are treated.METHOW VALLEY GROWTH IMPACT STUDYNotes on Farmland PreservationLloyd C. Irland, EconomistUnited States Forest Service1975, 6 pps.A brief inventory of farmlands is presented, and the problemsof keeping lands in agriculture are listed. Existing programswhich have development controls are listed. And theingredients of a positive program to preserve farmlands arepresented for consideration.EVALUATION OF METHOW VALLEY STUDY AREA SOILS FORON-SITE DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE BY CONVENTIONAL SEPTIC TANKFILTER FIELDS 1976, 7 pps.This report considers soils suitability, slope and hydrologiccharacteristics of the study area as they relate to on-sitesewage disposal. The report is a cooperative interagencyeffort of Washington State University's Extension Service, SoilConservation Service, Department of Ecology, Department ofNatural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Okanogan County HealthDepartment and Washington State Health Department.IMPACT OF TRAVEL, RECREATION AND TOURISMON THE METHOW VALLEYSteve Tidrich, InternLeonard R. Askham, Outdoor Recreation SpecialistCooperative Extension ServiceWashington State University1975, 70 pps.Paper summarized socioeconomic characteristics of specificrecreation activity groups, i.e., snowmobilers, campers,skiers, hunters, fishermen and recreational vehicle users.Data from general reports are presented as an overview and,when available, data for specific groups are reviewed.COLORADO DESTINATION SKIING RESORTS TOUROkanogan County and U.S.F.S. OfficialsMarch, 1975, 33 pps.Fifteen Okanogan County residents and U.S. Forest Servicepersonnel report on week-long junket of Aspen Mountain, Aspen

Highlands, Buttermilk, Snowmass, Vail, Beaver Creek, CopperMountain, Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin skiingareas. The purpose of the trip was to gather backgroundknowledge to assess any Aspen Skiing Corporation proposal atSandy Butte in the upper Methow Valley.

THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF AGRICULTURE INTHE UPPER METHOW VALLEYSamuel M. DoranWilliam H. PietschExtension EconomistsWashington State University1975, 26 pps.Major freezes have hurt tree fruit production and decliningcalf prices and increasing production costs have hurt cattleranchers. These, plus an unprecedented number of land sales inthe area, are causing social and economic problems. The papertreats the current economic viability of agriculture in theMethow Valley.GROUND WATER IN THE METHOW VALLEY MAZAMA TO WINTHROPErnest R. ArtimDivision of Geology and Earth ResourcesDepartment of Natural Resources1975, 9 pps.The' purpose of the study was to develop a ground water contourmap. The geophysical investigation was conducted during May,1975 using a portable seismograph and resistivity meter. Thestudy area extends from the Mazama Bridge site southeasterly 12miles to the Town of Winthrop along the Methow River.METHOW VALLEY HOUSING SURVEY AND PROJECTED HOUSING NEEDSJack LemonsOkanogan County Community Action CouncilMarch, 1976, 31 pps.Survey of existing housing in the Methow Valley's SchoolDistrict No. 350 with projections of housing needs for "normal"growth, projection of housing needs for ski development andmining development.A REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT AND WATER INTEGRITY IN THE UPPER REACHES OFTHE METHOW RIVERDon Ringe, Ph.D.Assoc. Prof. of GeologyCentral Washington State CollegeMay, 1973, 4 pps.Report resulting from a May 4, 1973 field trip.Representatives from the County Planning and HealthDepartments, Soil Conservation Service and U.S. Forest Serviceaccompanied Dr. Ringe.

APPENDIXMAPS