The National Park Service has released a range of preliminary draft alternatives for the Olympic National Park Wilderness Stewardship Plan.The preliminary draft alternatives were designed to reflect key topics raised during the initial public scoping process last spring.
"The public's review and comment at this key stage of the planning process will ensure that we are developing the best possible future for the Olympic Wilderness," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum. "Moreover, we want to ensure that we have accurately heard and addressed the public's comments as we move forward in developing the plan."
This planning process applies only to lands within Olympic National Park and when complete, will guide the preservation, management and use of the park's wilderness area.
"In accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964, the goal of this wilderness stewardship plan is to restore, protect and enhance the overall wilderness character of the wilderness area within Olympic National Park," Creachbaum emphasized.
The preliminary draft alternatives and maps, along with extensive background information and a copy of the public comments submitted during last year's public scoping period, can be reviewed online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/olymwild.Comments may also be submitted at that website.
Six public workshops will be offered and are scheduled as follows.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
5:00-7:00pm
Port Angeles Library
2210 S. Peabody Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-417-8500
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
5:00-7:00pm
Department of Natural Resources
411 Tillicum Lane
Forks, WA 98331
Phone: 360-374-2800
Monday, March 24, 2014
5:00-7:00pm
Cotton Building
607 Water Street
Port Townsend, WA
Phone: 360-379-4412
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
5:00-7:00pm
Quinault Lake School
Amanda Park, WA 98526
Phone: 360-288-2260
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
5:00-7:00pm
Civic Center (Meeting Room 1)
525 W. Cota Street
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: 360-426-4441
Thursday, April 3, 2014
5:00-7:00pm
Seattle Public Library
Wright/Ketcham Room; Level 4, Room 2
1000 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA
Phone: 206-386-4636
Public comments may also be mailed or delivered to:
Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum
Attn:Wilderness Stewardship Plan
Olympic National Park
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA98362
Ninety-five percent of Olympic National Park was designated as wilderness in 1988, and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System and established a policy for the protection of wilderness resources for public use and enjoyment.
For more information or to be added to the Olympic National Park Wilderness Stewardship Plan, people should visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/olymwild or call the park at 360-565-3004.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
