Lands in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area Should Be Returned to Private Ownership
CED-81-10
Published: Jan 22, 1981. Publicly Released: Feb 23, 1981.
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Highlights
GAO was requested to examine the land acquisition and management practices of the National Park Service (NPS) at Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Through the law which established this area, it was congressional intent that land acquisition costs be minimal, that a private community in the recreation area continue to exist, that commercial development not be eliminated, and that additional compatible development be permitted to accommodate increased visitor use.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should exempt land acquired pursuant to P.L. 90-544 from the 2-year limitation in 16 U.S.C. 4601-22(a). This would give the last owner(s) the right to match the highest bid price and reacquire property sold to NPS. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Sufficient time has passed for Congress to have taken action. |
| Congress should not increase the statutory land acquisition appropriation ceiling for the North Cascades National Park and the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area above the $4.5 million already approved until NPS has defined compatible and incompatible development, prepared a land acquisition plan justifying the need to acquire land from private owners, and spent the funds obtained from selling all compatible land back to private individuals. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Sufficient time has elapsed for Congress to have taken action. Congress has not increased the appropriations ceiling. |
| The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs should hold oversight hearings to determine why NPS has not carried out the intent of Congress at the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Sufficient time has elapsed for Congress to have taken action. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected Sort descending | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should require the Director, NPS, to sell back to the highest bidder, including previous owners or other private individuals, all lands compatible with the recreation area. This would include the modest homes, lodges, and restaurant. NPS could attach scenic or developmental restrictions to the deeds before the properties are resold to ensure that their use will be consistent with the enabling legislation. The proceeds would be credited to the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the U.S. Treasury. Funds obtained in this manner would then be available for future acquisitions if an incompatible use is identified, subject to the $4.5 million appropriation ceiling on total acquisitions under P.L. 90-544. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Interior did not agree with this recommendation and does not plan to take any action.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should require the Director, NPS, to develop a land acquisition plan for the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area consistent with the NPS April 26, 1979, land acquisition policy. The plan should: (1) define compatible and incompatible uses based on the legislative history; (2) clarify the criteria for condemnation; (3) identify the reasons for fee simple acquisition versus alternative land protection and management strategies, such as scenic easements and zoning; (4) address recreational development plans for the area; and (5) establish acquisition priorities. The plan should apply to both private and NPS actions. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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Topics
Appropriation limitationsCommunity developmentFederal agenciesLand managementLand transfersNational recreation areasReal estate purchasesRecreationReal property acquisitionZoning