Point of View
Your front page story titled “Olympic National Park major polluter” dated April 17th was an interesting read. Reducing the Park’s carbon footprint by introducing hybrid vehicles; replacing fossil-fueled cars and SUVs in the Park’s fleet is a start. I am an avid day hiker and visit the ONP on a regular basis. Although the article emphasizes other alternatives such as recycling, wind powered generators, biodegradable materials, etc. my focus is on public transportation and shuttle systems.
The greatest opportunity to reduce the Park’s visitor footprint is with biodiesel-fueled public transit. A year round shuttle starting at the new transit center in Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge is a priority. Seasonal shuttles up the Elwha, Sol Duc and Hoh Rain Forest would open up suitable transportation for visitors to spend a day or more in these areas without utilizing personal vehicles. This goal is obtained by employing our current Clallam County Transit System (CCTS) with the Park’s shuttles.
My hiking companion Dallas Drew and I recently investigated and have utilized the CCTS for our weekly adventures. Leaving our cars in Sequim we visited places as far away as Ruby Beach and LaPush. We have hiked the West Elwha trail, Baldy Ridge off Lake Sutherland, Storm King Mountain, Barnes Creek, Spruce Railroad trail, Mt. Mueller, Snider Peak, Lyre River, East Beach, Fairholm and the Lake Crescent Lodge area. We explored all of these places using public transportation.
It is not as convenient as driving your own car, but we feel we are minimizing our carbon footprints by leaving our vehicles home. No matter how small, we must do our part. CCTS has done a good job with connection schedules. Waits between transfers are usually 15 minutes or less. The drivers are exceptional courteous and willing to assist. The Forks route has their assigned transit stops, but the drivers are willing to pick or drop one off wherever it is safe to exit the highway. Pete, who drives the Forks route has been exceptionally helpful with schedule advice and pick up points. CCTS has rewarded us with reliable and safe transportation on our weekly sojourns to the West End.
My vision is to see the ONP shuttles in collaboration with the public transit system. This would allow ONP visitors the opportunity to leave their vehicles at public transportation parking lots, regardless of location on the Peninsula. Spend a care free day on Hurricane Ridge, hike or picnic up the Elwha, hike the trails or swim in the pools offered by Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort or enjoy the majestic canopies of the Hoh Rain Forest. Relish the visit knowing you are contributing to your personal carbon footprint reduction.
With planning the ONP can do its part to immensely reduce carbon dioxide emitted into the earth’s atmosphere; public transportation is a key part of any action plan. I am encouraged by superintendent Karen Gustin’s assurance the Park Service is addressing these issues.
Ted Bedford
186 Deer Ridge Lane
Sequim, WA 98382
(360) 683-6376
tbedford@olypen.com
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