Olympic National Park Draft Wilderness Stewardship Plan Ready for Public Review

Public Invited to Review Next Steps
Plan Applies Only to Park Wilderness Area Designated in 1988

The National Park Service has released a range of preliminary draft alternatives for the Olympic National Park Wilderness Stewardship Plan. The preliminary draft alternatives were designed to reflect key topics raised during the initial public scoping process last spring.

“The public’s review and comment at this key stage of the planning process will ensure that we are developing the best possible future for the Olympic Wilderness,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum. “Moreover, we want to ensure that we have accurately heard and addressed the public’s comments as we move forward in developing the plan.”

This planning process applies only to lands within Olympic National Park and when complete, will guide the preservation, management and use of the park’s wilderness area.

“In accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964, the goal of this wilderness stewardship plan is to restore, protect and enhance the overall wilderness character of the wilderness area within Olympic National Park,” Creachbaum emphasized.

The preliminary draft alternatives and maps, along with extensive background information and a copy of the public comments submitted during last year’s public scoping period, can be reviewed online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/olymwild. Comments may also be submitted at that website.

Six public workshops will be offered and are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, March 18, 2014 5:00-7:00 p.m. Port Angeles Library 2210 S. Peabody Street Port Angeles, Wash. Phone: 360-417-8500	Wednesday, March 19, 2014 5:00-7:00 p.m. Department of Natural Resources 411 Tillicum Lane Forks, Wash. Phone: 360-374-2800	Monday, March 24, 2014 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cotton Building 607 Water Street Port Townsend, Wash. Phone: 360-379-4412
Wednesday, March 26, 2014 5:00-7:00 p.m. Quinault Lake School Amanda Park, Wash. Phone: 360-288-2260	Tuesday, April 1, 2014 5:00-7:00 p.m. Civic Center (Meeting Room 1) 525 W. Cota Street Shelton, Wash. Phone: 360-426-4441	Thursday, April 3, 2014 5:00-7:00 p.m. Seattle Public Library Wright/Ketcham Room; Level 4, Room 2 1000 4th Avenue, Seattle, Wash. Phone: 206-386-4636

Public comments may also be mailed or delivered to:

Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum
Attn:  Wilderness Stewardship Plan
Olympic National Park
600 E Park Ave
Port Angeles WA  98362-6757

Ninety-five percent of Olympic National Park was designated as wilderness in 1988, and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.  The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System and established a policy for the protection of wilderness resources for public use and enjoyment.

For more information or to be added to the Olympic National Park Wilderness Stewardship Plan, people should visit http://parkplanning.nps.gov/olymwild or call the park at 360-565-3004.