'Dreadful and Unsafe': Schrier Demands Action on Staffing Crisis in Wenatchee River Ranger District

LEAVENWORTH - Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), is calling on top federal officials to address a dire staffing shortage impacting the Enchantments region of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Central Washington. In a letter sent to Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, Schrier demanded urgent staffing increases to reverse what she described as “dreadful and even unsafe” conditions at the popular wilderness destination.

“The Enchantments are a beloved part of the Eighth District, cherished by my constituents and visitors from around the world,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Now, because of the Trump Administration’s erratic, senseless staffing cuts, the conditions at the Enchantments have become dreadful and even unsafe — unkept public lands and overflowing toilets have diminished the experience of visiting the Enchantments and put public health at risk. I know how important this is for my constituents, and I’m proud to lead this letter calling on the Trump Administration to take action and improve conditions at the Enchantments immediately.”

Schrier, joined by fellow Washington Congressman Adam Smith, outlined serious concerns stemming from what she says are “reckless cuts” made under the previous administration. The Wenatchee River Ranger District — which manages the Enchantments — has reportedly gone from 11 employees down to just one.

According to the letter, basic services have deteriorated, with overflowing backcountry toilets posing a risk to nearby rivers and a breakdown in enforcement of fire restrictions and permitting systems. Search and rescue efforts are also being hindered, the lawmakers said, as the lack of staffing makes it difficult to maintain initial contact during emergencies.

“It is hard to overstate just how important the Enchantments are to our constituents across Washington state and the nation,” the letter reads. “Since [the early 20th century], the pristine alpine region of central Washington has fielded millions of visits from hikers and backpackers... contributing to the nearly $100 million spent annually in communities around the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.”

Despite a permit lottery for overnight stays, day-use visits have increased by 164% between 2013 and 2023, according to Schrier’s letter. This surge in use has strained already limited resources. The lawmakers emphasized that current conditions — worsened by a lack of staff to maintain waste systems — threaten the surrounding ecosystem, especially the Icicle Creek watershed, a vital source of water for rural communities and wildlife.

The letter describes how some toilets in the Core and Colchuck zones are overfilled, requiring human waste to be removed by helicopter. The U.S. Forest Service reportedly lacks the staff to carry out these operations, instead relying on volunteers for a job that requires institutional knowledge and at least two or three people.

The staffing shortage has also led to the collapse of regular permit checks and fire ban enforcement. Schrier cited a recent incident in which hikers had to intervene to stop fireworks from being set off on the Fourth of July due to the absence of Forest Service oversight.

“Volunteers and local communities are doing what they can to fill the gaps, but this is not sustainable or appropriate for basic operations on one of our most treasured public lands,” the letter stated.

The lawmakers pointed out that the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has been awarded state grant funding through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office for hiring seasonal employees. However, they claim a federal hiring freeze and administrative red tape are blocking the Wenatchee River Ranger District from accessing the funds.

“These state funds are available right now, for this season, to alleviate the federal staffing issues that have occurred this year,” the letter reads. “We urge you to take necessary action to free up this state funding, earned competitively by the Wenatchee River Ranger District, in order to address severe staffing shortages in the Enchantments.”

Schrier and Smith concluded the letter by urging immediate action to protect the environment, public health, and local outdoor economies, while calling for long-term solutions to ensure the Enchantments are properly staffed and maintained in the future.