News Release

Public Invited to Comment on Olympic Hot Springs Road Geotechnical Investigation

Date: August 1, 2018
Contact: Penny Wagner, 360-565-3005

An Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed geotechnical investigation is now available for a 30-day public review and comment period. The investigation will determine the engineering feasibility of relocating a portion of Olympic Hot Springs Road outside of the floodplain.

The EA analyzes the potential impacts of conducting a geotechnical investigation including equipment access for drilling approximately 22 off-road test borings, excavating two test pits, and monitoring subsurface conditions along a one-mile stretch of the slope east of Olympic Hot Springs Road. Monitoring instruments would be installed at the off-road test boring sites to collect data and monitor slope stability.

“Long term, sustainable public access in the Elwha Valley is our goal,” said park superintendent Sarah Creachbaum. “This is a necessary step before we can analyze viable options for the road and we appreciate the public’s participation.”

If deemed feasible, the analysis of a potential road relocation would then occur in a separate EA. That EA would address long-term planning for the Olympic Hot Springs Road. Scoping for the next EA could occur as early as this winter.

During the public comment period, the National Park Service (NPS) will host one in-person public meeting where Olympic National Park and Federal Highways staff will be available to discuss the EA. The meeting will be held from 5 pm to 6:30 pm on Wednesday, August 15 at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center, 401 East First Street in Port Angeles, Washington 98362. The presentation will begin at 5:15 pm followed by a question and answer period.

The EA is available for a review and comment on the project planning website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/OHSgeotech. Comments may be submitted directly on this site by clicking on "Open for Comment" and following the links to review the document and submit a comment. Comments will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. MDT on Friday, August 31, 2018.

Comments can also be mailed or hand-delivered to: Olympic National Park, Attn: Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum, Temporary Off-road Access for Geotechnical Investigation/EA, 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, Washington 98362.

Comments submitted by phone or email will not be accepted. Comments submitted on behalf of other individuals (either by organizations or individuals) will not be accepted.

You should be aware that your entire comment – including personal identifying information such as your address, phone number, and email address – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Responses to substantive comments on the EA will be addressed in the proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or may be used to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).