Friends of Olympic National Park

WA FS ERFO 2002(1)-21(4): Dosewallips Road Washout DEIS

Friends of Olympic National Park supports the reopening of the Dosewallips Road.

The Dosewallips Road provides the sole road access point into the eastern portions of Olympic National Park for 80 miles along Highway 101, between Staircase and Deer Park. It provides access to the Dosewallips Campground (30 spaces), Ranger Station and several trailheads, backcountry camping areas and climbing routes.

While overall Park visitation has increased, visitation to backcountry destinations in the Dosewallips drainage has fallen by 71% since the washout (as indicated by the number of backcountry camping permits issued). For this large majority of hikers, the washout has prevented access to Thousand Acre Meadows and many other destinations up the main fork Dosewallips, and to the once very popular cross-Park hike over Anderson Pass and through Enchanted Valley.

Access to popular climbing routes for Mt. Constance, Mt. Deception, Mt. Anderson, Sentinel Peak, etc. in the northeastern Olympics has been lengthened such that these are no longer accessible to most climbers as weekend destinations. Elkhorn Campground, a popular starting point for both horsemen and kayakers, is closed. Usage of backcountry campgrounds (Dose Meadows, Bear Camp, Camp Marion, Honeymoon Meadows, Diamond Meadows, Big Timber, etc.) has plummeted. Dispersed camping opportunities are greatly restricted. Usage has shifted to other, already overused, areas, notably Staircase and the upper Big Quilcene, adversely impacting fragile vegetation and the quality of the wilderness experience for visitors.

Visitation to the Park's frontcountry Dosewallips facilities (campground, Terrace Loop Nature Trail, dayhikes to Calypso Falls and the Dose High Bridge) has been blocked by the washout, and the Ranger Station has been closed. Access for those individuals with physical limitations has been completely prevented. Administrative use of the Dosewallips Ranger Station, to provide information and interpretive services to Park visitors, support trail maintenance, and support emergency search and rescue operations when needed, has stopped.

Together, these effects represent a significant impairment of Park resources and values.

We have also thoroughly examined the alternative of decommissioning the upper Dosewallips Road and its conversion to trail. This was analyzed in the 2004 Environmental Assessment, and rejected as not fulfilling National Park and National Forest management goals, as mandated by law, and we concur. Further, proponents have failed to identify any possible route for the heavy equipment required to accomplish this work. We conclude that it would have significantly greater environmental impact, and cost, than simply reopening the road.

Friends of Olympic National Park promotes understanding of the Park's ecological, educational, economic and recreational importance through educational and informational programs. We support the Park in preserving its natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of present and future generations. We endorse the goal of Olympic National Park's Final General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement: to provide continued seasonal road access to the Dosewallips Ranger Station, Campground and trails, by whichever alternative the Forest Service deems most practical.

Sincerely,

Larry Stetson, President

Friends of Olympic National Park