Following Review of Public Comments, Olympic National Park to Revise Spruce Railroad Trail Environmental Assessment
Olympic National Park has finished reviewing public comments received on
the Spruce Railroad Trail Expansion and Improvement Environmental
Assessment (SRRT EA) and has determined that a revised SRRT EA will be
developed in 2012.
The revised EA will supersede the original EA, and could include
development of new alternatives. Another 30-day public comment period and
public meeting will be scheduled. New impact analysis will be undertaken
for any new alternatives developed in the revised SRRT EA.
“Members of the public brought up important issues, particularly
surrounding accessibility, safety, and visitor experience, and we will
fully examine and analyze them as we develop the revised EA,” said Olympic
National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.
A total of 143 responses were received by the park during the public
comment period, including letters, emails and responses submitted through
the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC)
website. All public responses will be posted on the PEPC website in early
2012, minus commentors’ names and personal information.
The SRRT EA was developed in accordance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Endangered
Species Act (ESA), and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). This project would
implement actions identified in the park’s 2008 General Management Plan
(GMP) and the 1998 Lake Crescent Management Plan (LCMP) to extend and
improve the existing Spruce Railroad Trail (SRRT) located on the north
shore of Lake Crescent and to construct new trail along the historic
railroad grade in the park’s Sol Duc area.
The purpose of this project is to improve the historic Spruce Railroad
grade within Olympic National Park, as a non-motorized, multipurpose trail
as identified in the GMP and LCMP. This includes the existing Spruce
Railroad Trail.
Beaches
I have yet to see all of the Olympic Peninsula since moving here in Aug. but one of my favorite places I have been is Cape Flattery. It is the most northwest point of the contiguous United States and WOW what a view! The cape is just a 2 hour drive from Port Angeles WA. And well worth it. There are plenty of places along the way that you can pull over to enjoy the amazing views of the sea stacks and take a nice walk along the beaches. Once you get to the trail head for Cape Flattery it is a nice 20-30 min hike most of witch is gravel and boardwalk. It make’s for a great day. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. If you have been what did you think?
DIRECTIONS:
If you take Highway 101 west to Highway 12, follow 112 for about 60 miles to Neah Bay. When entering Neah Bay you will pass the US Coast Guard which is on the left side of the road across from the Makah Museum. Go 1 1/2 miles (follow the road with the yellow stripe). Right past the Senior Citizen’s Building, curve left, where you see the IHS Clinic on your right. Follow the curve to the right and then to the left (follow the signs to Cape Flattery). Go approx. 2 1/2miles to the Makah Tribal Center on the right. Follow the road around the Tribal Center and after passing the old air force base housing, you will reach a gravel road (1/4 mile). Continue on the gravel road for approx. 4 miles. At the end of the 4 miles, you will see a sign marking the Cape Trail.
