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.
WATERFRONT / OLYMPIC DISCOVERY TRAIL - REOPENS
Work to repair the section of the Waterfront & Olympic Discovery Trail located between the east side of the Rayonier Mill parking lot at the footbridge, to the approximate area where the trail begins to curve to the south near Morse Creek, has been discontinued for the winter. The trail is open.
The project will resume in early spring to finish planting and repairs to the asphalt.
If you need additional information related to this project, contact Jim Mahlum, Project Engineer, at 417-4701. And visit: www.cityofpa.us/parkrec-waterftrail.htm
DAY TRIP TO MADISON FALLS!
Over the weekend some friends and I took a drive west of Port Angeles to Madison Falls just a short drive off of Highway 101. We got there early enough that the field at the start of the trail was frosted over and looked like a field of diamonds it was beautiful. On the first part of the trail there are the remains of a huge old tree. It was amazing to see how big these trees can get, keep walking and look up at the cliff wall to your right filled with moss, ferns, and trees growing out of the face of the wall. A little further you can see the river to your left and start to here the falls you turn a corner and there’s this amazing falls that cascade down a hundred feet. There are benches for you to stay and enjoy the falls and everything around you! I would strongly suggest this short hike to anyone the trail is paved for wheelchair use and makes for a nice walk for people of all ages. LET ME KNOW IF YOU GO AND WHAT YOU THINK OR IF YOU HAVE A TRAIL FOR ME TO TRY!
