In 2007, in response to increasing development pressures in the upper Stemilt and Squilchuck Basins, Chelan County established the Stemilt Partnership (Partnership). Its goal was to devise and implement a solution that would protect the upper Basin’s natural landscapes and wildlife for the long-term benefit of the region and recreating public. The process, which played out over the next decade, involved a broad mix of interests including wildlife, recreation, conservation and agriculture. It ultimately accomplished the vast majority of what it set out to do, with its signature achievement being establishment of the Stemilt-Squilchuck Community Forest. NCWAS was directly involved in the process from beginning to end. For more detailed information on the Stemilt Process, please refer to coverage of the issue in our conservation archives.
With the goals of the Partnership essentially achieved, a new development that would be sited near the Mission Ridge Ski Area in the upper basin has been proposed. If fully realized, it would result in the establishment of a 4,000-pillow community in the heart of the upper basin. Our concern is that the natural habitats and values the Stemilt Process succeeded in protecting would be seriously compromised.
Recently, Chelan County released its Draft Mission Ridge Master Planned Resort Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed project. On October 20, 2025, NCWAS submitted comments regarding it. We’ll provide updates as this issue plays out.
The full Mission Ridge Master Planned Resort DEIS can be accessed at https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/community-development/pages/current-planning.