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Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005
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. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015