News Release

Public Input Sought on Backcountry Camp Modifications

Date: March 9, 2022
Contact: Rob Burrows

Public Input Sought on Backcountry Camp Modifications 

Sedro Woolley, WA—The public is invited to comment on a preliminary proposal to relocate Graybeal Hiker and Stock camps along the Brush Creek Trail and construct additional backcountry camp accommodations for the Pacific Crest Trail long-distance permit holders along the Bridge Creek Trail. 

Relocations of Graybeal Hiker and Stock camps are needed because of repeated flood damage by Brush Creek in 2003, 2006, and 2017. Moving campsites out of the floodplain zone prevents further damage to the camp sites and eliminates entanglement with this natural process. Capacity at these camps will remain the same. 

Additional backcountry camp accommodations for Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail long-distance permit holders along the Bridge Creek Trail are needed to address crowding associated with increased usage on this trail in the last several years.

Initial feedback on the proposed action, alternatives, environmental issues that should be addressed, sources of data, and visitor experiences that should be considered by the National Park Service (NPS) in the upcoming Environmental Assessment (EA) are requested. 
 
To review project information and provide electronic comments, go to: Parkplanning - Public Scoping for Backcountry Camp Modifications (nps.gov)

Comments will be accepted March 9-April 6, 2022. Hardcopy comments can be mailed to: Superintendent, 810 State Route 20, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284.

A virtual public meeting will be held on Friday, March 18 from 5-6 pm. Additional details are available at the project website. If you need reasonable accommodations to attend the meeting, please email the contact above as soon as possible. You may join the meeting on your computer or mobile device as early as 4:45 pm at this link. Note you may need to download the Microsoft Teams app to attend. 

Alternate audio is available at this number: 1-202-640-1187 and pass code 47603719#

Following the 30-day review, alternatives will be developed and required environmental analysis completed. The EA will be provided for public review in early summer 2022.