Help improve Hurricane Ridge, ONP access

[Hberg]

On Thursday March 27, 2008 the Olympic Mountains are sheathed in several feet of new snow, the snow level nearly down to sea level, with a brilliant blue sky as a background, so it is time for a Hurricane Ridge access update. Several important events have occurred recently.

 

1. The Final Management Plan for Olympic National Park was issued on March 13. On the positive side plan calls for the ski area to retain the right to improve lifts without expanding the area, and providing alternative transportation. On the negative side, weekend only access was codified for the first time. Although the public comment period is over, any comment received before the 30 day no action period will be made part of the permanent record. Therefore it is critical to write a letter in support of seven day a week winter access before the 30 day no action period ends on April 11. The address is

 

Superintendent, Olympic National Park

Re: Olympic National Park Final Management Plan

600 Park Avenue

Port Angeles, WA 98363

 

It may be useful to copy the Regional Director

Jon Jarvis, Regional Director National Park Service

Re: Olympic National Park Final Management Plan

One Jackson Center

1111 Jackson Street Suite 700

Oakland, CA 94607

Numbers matter, so individuals as well as groups should respond.

Mr. Jarvis recently testified to congress regarding Yosemite transportation: "The (Interior) Department strongly supports enhancing partnerships and increasing communication between gateway communities and Yosemite National Park. These efforts are consistent with the Administration’s “new environmentalism,” an initiative that will help build a healthier environment, dynamic economies, and sustainable communities. At the center of the Department’s plan to implement this new environmentalism are what Secretary Norton has termed the “Four C’s” — Communication, Consultation, and Cooperation, all in the service of Conservation. The Four C’s recognize that both gateway communities and federal lands can benefit from creative partnerships. "

In my letter I said

The words “on weekends” should be stricken from Paragraph 1 so it reads “Road access to Hurricane Ridge and Heart of the Hills would continue to be provided year round. The winter operating schedule would be used to allow road access for private vehicles (late fall to early spring depending on weather conditions).” This would allow the option of more days of operation if feasible at some point during the life of the document.

The reason given for leaving weekend only access in all four options is that no comments were received in the scoping process or comment period in favor of seven day a week access. So we need to ask!

 

2. A group consisting of Betsy Wharton, PA City Council; Gary Holmquist, HRWSC; Michael Gruskin, WA Winter Recreation Program; Edna Petersen, PABA; and Greg Halberg, FONP; had a productive meeting with acting Superintendent Sue McGill and Park staff on March 17. We agreed that we can find ways to cooperate on better communication regarding road status, and alternative transportation ideas. We also committed to further conversation regarding other issues.

3. Sue McGill spoke with the Port Angeles Business Association (PABA) regarding Park access. She indicated that storm damage across the Park has made this an especially difficult year. Despite stormy weather, the road has been open 68% of scheduled days. Unfortunately, that means that open days decreased from 12 scheduled days per month to 8 open days per month. Eight days per month is not enough opportunities to attract customers.

4. The Winter Wildlands Alliance (a national nonprofit organization promoting and preserving winter wildlands and a quality human-powered snowsports experience on public lands) may provide assistance. WWA with the Forest Service has identified physical characteristics that make forest lands suitable for Nordic and Backcounrty Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowshoeing:

• Free from snowmobiles

• One to three miles from road for day use.

• Two to six miles for overnight use.

• Slopes that face all directions.

• Predominantly free from avalanche hazard.

• Steep slopes for Backcountry skiers.

• Gentle terrain for crosscountry and snowshoe.

• Able to accommodate grooming machines for track skiers.

Hurricane Ridge is a near perfect match, as long as the road isn’t blocked at Heart O’ the Hills.

5. Some economic justification for keeping the road open:

• A 2000 park study found that park visitors average spend an average of $89 per person per visit. Visitors that spend the night spend more. The study concluded that “If increased economic impact is a goal, management strategies that motivate park visitors to stay overnight in the area or to extend lengths of stay should be encouraged.”

• Hurricane Ridge receives only 40% as many visits in winter as Paradise in Mount Rainier NP. During the summer that number goes up to 90%. Paradise is open 7 days a week in the winter. Hurricane Ridge receives more visits than Paradise on a per open day basis.

• If Hurricane Ridge were to receive as many visits as Paradise it would be a $4,000,000 boost this year to the local economy based on $89 per visit.

• Current winter hotel occupancy in Port Angeles is about 35%. Summer occupancy is about 85%.

• According to Park officials at our meeting current cost as of mid March of Hurricane Ridge Operations for this winter season is $79,945.

• The source for most of this data is on the Friends of the Park website www.friendsonp.org or MRNP and ONP websites.

 

How can you help? Write a letter in support of increased access. Talk to other people that you know are interested in winter recreation or winter economics. Over the past year I have spoken with hundreds of people about this issue. Nearly all of them have said the same things- A) Yes, Hurricane Ridge should be open more often, and B) The Park will never do it. I think we can find ways to make it happen.

 

[Fairweather]

I like your post and will write. I would suggest that Friends of ONP be cautious in their associations and partnerships with WTA. WTA is no longer a pro trails/pro recreation organization, but, rather, they are leaning more and more toward the radical environmental and exclusionary element that exists within their ranks. They have opposed efforts to repair several primary access roads, including the Middle Fork Snoqualmie. I'm not sure what their "official" stand is on the Dosewallips repair, but many of their key leaders have called for its permanent closure in numerous editorials.

[Hberg]

Thanks Fairweather.

 

Are you talking about the Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA), or the Washington Trails Association (WTA)? As far as I know the WWA, to whom I was referring, are not familiar enough with the area to have an opinion on the Dose. They are primarily interested in maintaining snowmobile free winter areas in National Forests. Both Mark Menlove and Steve Ryder from the WWA who I spoke with were very supportive of our efforts regarding Hurricane Ridge winter access. I learned about the WWA as a part of the Outdoor Alliace, which includes the Access Fund, IMBA, paddler groups and others.

 

In the larger context, we are trying to get similar outdoor recreation user groups (ie paddlers, climbers, skiers, bikers, equestrians, hikers, snowshoers, surfers etc on the Peninsula to work together to create trails, beach access, climbing areas, etc that matches the potential of the area. Which is quite excellent, despite the chossy rock.

 

At this point we need all the help we can get so feel free to encourage others to respond as well.

 

Thanks again for your support

[Fairweather]

I was referring to the WTA, to which the link you provided claimed an alliance. Good luck with your efforts though. The Hurricane Ridge area is a unique little recreation gem--something for everyone who likes to get out and enjoy the outdoors! A great intro area for parents and kids too. You don't know how refreshing it is to hear about your inclusive efforts that will ultimately lead to a greater appreciation of the outdoors and nature.