Finally some good news: MRNP Management Plan

[CascadeClimber]

From today's AAC "E-News":

AAC PREVAILS ON MOUNT RAINIER MANAGEMENT PLAN

As a result of concerted advocacy efforts by the AAC, Mount Rainier National Park’s Final General Management Plan has removed a controversial proposal to prohibit climbers and backpackers from parking at trailheads and major parking lots and requiring them to use and pay for a shuttle system during peak seasons. While the AAC supports shuttle systems within the National Parks as a way to reduce pollution and improve congestion, we rejected this proposal since it discriminated unfairly against overnight backcountry visitors and raised significant concerns regarding climber health and safety.

The Park’s own data indicate that most visitors drive through the Park, stop briefly to take photographs or tour a visitor center, and leave within a few hours. These visitors contribute most to crowded roads and parking lots and are easily accommodated by a shuttle system since they bring little equipment with them and are gone by sunset. In contrast, climbers and backpackers usually transport a large quantity of gear, leave and return to the trailhead at all hours, and frequently adjust schedules due to weather, equipment problems, and accidents. These problems would have made it extremely difficult to design and operate an effective shuttle system for overnight Park visitors.

The Final General Management Plan calls for developing a shuttle system for peak season when the parking lots are full. All Park visitors will be able to use the trailhead parking lots on a first-come, first-served basis until full, at which time all visitors will use a shuttle system. The AAC will monitor further planning of this parking and transportation system to ensure that it meets the needs of climbers.

The Final General Management Plan also contains a framework for managing use of Park trails and backcountry areas. The zoning system is designed to protect solitude in more remote areas while accommodating higher use in currently high use areas. The popular Muir Snowfield/Disappointment Cleaver climbing route has been placed in a High Use Climbing zone, while the Emmons/Winthrop, Kautz and Fuhrer Finger climbing routes have been placed in a Moderate Use Climbing zone. The AAC will continue to monitor the development of specific capacities and desired visitor experiences for these zones as Rainier National Park begins work developing a revised Backcountry Management Plan.

The Final General Management Plan has been posted on the NPS planning website at http://www.nps.gov/planning/mora/finalgmp/home.htm.

[ 11-21-2001: Message edited by: CascadeClimber ]

[z]

Isn't "RMNP" actually Rocky Mountain National Park?

[CascadeClimber]

Oops. Make that MRNP.

-Loren

[snafflehound]

Thats actually MORA. according to the park service.:}

[Cpt.Caveman]

Did you see 009 there?