Date: August 10, 2011
Contact: Dave Reynolds, 360-457-0715
As the beginning of dam removal grows closer, Olympic National Park is expanding its online resources for people to learn about and keep current on Elwha River Restoration.
The Olympic National Park website remains the primary clearinghouse for information on Elwha River Restoration, including project timelines, frequently-asked questions, photos, as well as links to environmental impact statements, restoration plans and scientific studies.
“We’re reaching out via the web to bring this story of cultural and environmental restoration to new and diverse audiences,” Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin said. “Using blogs, Facebook and similar platforms allows project information to spread nationwide in just seconds. It’s interactive and immediate, and simply one more way to help people know what’s happening with Elwha River Restoration.”
Dam Removal Blog
The new Dam Removal Blog, found online at www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/elwha-ecosystem-restoration.htm has been launched and will focus on construction and deconstruction news and photos, as well as project milestones and announcements about the dam removal process. The first post was dated July 5, with an update posted today. As construction work continues to increase, updates will be posted at least every two weeks.
Elwha River Restoration Video
Last month, the first in a series of short videos was added to the park’s Elwha home page. The five-minute film offers a brief look at the river’s recent history and features interviews with key players in the Elwha story, including tribal elders, dam operators and National Park Service employees and makes use of historic photos courtesy of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Clallam County Historical Society.
The video was produced by Wings Over Watersheds, a non-profit organization focused on watershed education. Under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service, Wings Over Watersheds will produce additional web videos, a longer visitor center orientation film and a 60-minute documentary.
The video can be viewed or downloaded by visiting the park’s website at www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/elwha-ecosystem-restoration.htm.
CelebrateElwha.com
A complete schedule and information about the week-long Celebrate Elwha! series of event in Port Angeles, Sequim and Seattle is found at www.CelebrateElwha.com. People are encouraged to check this site often, as updates and additions are posted frequently.
Facebook
New blog posts, videos, photos and press releases are also regularly linked from the park’s Facebook page: Facebook users can simply search for “Elwha River Restoration.” Established last year, the page continues to grow in content and followers as the start of dam removal grows closer.
WebCams
Initial work has begun on installation of webcams along the Elwha River. While the primary purpose of the webcams is to monitor the process of sediment movement, the removal process of each dam will also be shown. Links to each webcam will be available from the Olympic National Park website and are expected to be operational by mid-September.
