December 2000

Former Wenatchee physician John Jacobson and his wife Karen donate 35 acres to CDLT on the back side of Saddle Rockalong Skyline Drive, creating the Jacobson Preserve. CDLT Executive Director Gordon Congdon Jr. calls it “an important first step in our goal of protecting scenic views and public access in the foothills west of Wenatchee.”

Spring 2000

Lake Wenatchee residents seek help from CDLT to protect Nason Ridge from a proposed harvest by Longview Fibre. CDLT helped mediate a compromise and Longview Fibre substantially modified their harvest to address the local concerns.

Autumn 1999

Directors of the all-volunteer CDLT, which has 40 supporting members, decide to beef up the organization’s effectiveness and profile by raising money to hire staff and open an office. Generous donations from Harriet Bullitt and her Leavenworth-based Icicle Fund are largely responsible for the hiring in October of Gordon Congdon Jr. as Executive Director. The first CDLT office opens at 15 S. Palouse Street, Wenatchee.

August 1997

Dedication ceremony marks transfer to the U.S. Forest Service of protected parcels in Phelps Creek Basin adjoining the trail to Spider Meadow. This permanently ensures public access. Years later, Eliot Scull describes the Spider Meadows project as "a watershed event" for the CDLT. "It put us on the state’s radar."

March 1997

Gordon Congdon Jr. and CDLT founding member Tina Scull are among the organizers of a public forum, Smart Growth-Planning for Healthy Communities. Participants examine the impact growth is having on Chelan and Douglas counties and options available to communities.

Spring 1995

It comes to public attention that logging and a housing development are being planned for about 330 acres of an old mining claim along the popular trail to the beautiful Spider Meadow at the head of the Chiwawa Valley near Lake Wenatchee. Working closely with The Trust for Public Land, Eliot Scull, Pat Rasmussen and Dick Rieman lead CDLT’s fundraising campaign, garnering local support for TPL's purchase of the land to ensure continued public access to the trail and the meadow.

October 1994

The 10-mile Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail is completed and touted as the longest urban loop trail in the state. It is an instant hit with walkers, joggers, bikers and skaters.

1994

Catron County Ordinance: In November 1994, in an outgrowth of the "Sagebrush Rebellion" in several Western states, Chelan County Commissioners vote 2-1 to adopt the Catron County (N.M.) Ordinance. It calls for local governments to have co-equal authority to manage federal land. "The effect of the movement is to curtail government’s ability to protect the environment,”writes CDLT Board member Pat Rasmussen. Chelan County prosecutor Gary Riesen and Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire say the ordinance is unenforceable under the Washington State Constitution.

1993

Apathy and languishing Membership: In the summer of 1993 CDLT President Joan VanDivort writes in newsletter, "In order for us to continue to participate in the sensible progress of our valley, we need your support both in membership dues and volunteer activities." According to one account, "a group of strong women hold the organization together, "including VanDivort, Gloria Kupferman, Lynette McCoy, Theresa Druzak, Patty Whitemarsh, Pat Rasmussen and Kathy Lodato, along with Ed and Jean Meyer, and Larry Tobiska." They write letters and make phone calls asking people to renew their membershi

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