Other
excerpts from NPS policies contradict current Hurricane Ridge management, and
support many of the suggested solutions to increased winter access. NPS policy:
·
Clarifies
that winter recreation is an appropriate
use within Parks in general and Olympic in particular due to the mention of
winter use in the founding documents and inclusion of Deer Park
·
Further
emphasizes that park managers must provide visitors from all walks of life
the opportunity for meaningful
educational and recreational experiences-experiences
that inspire and lead to visitor enjoyment and a greater sense of resource
stewardship. (Introduction)
·
Establishes
recreation as a park value that
should not be impaired without careful consideration. 1.4.4, 1.4.6. Four days a week road closure impairs that
value.
·
Defines
an unacceptable impact as one that diminishes opportunities for current or
future generations to enjoy, learn
about, or be inspired by park resources or values; and unreasonably interferes with an appropriate use.
·
Ensures that there are adequate funds and staff to conserve
and protect the resources (including recreation) for which parks are
responsible and provide for the enjoyment
of the same.
·
The
Park has an obligation to support the federal policy of actively promoting the health and personal fitness of the general public. 1.5
Restrictions
on appropriate uses should be minimal:
·
Restrictions placed on
recreational uses that have otherwise been found to be appropriate will be limited to the minimum necessary to protect park
resources and values, and promote visitor safety and enjoyment. Any restriction
of appropriate recreational use will be limited to what is necessary to protect
park resources and values, to promote visitor safety and enjoyment, or to meet
park management needs. 8.2.2
·
Any
closures or restrictions-other than
those imposed by law-must be consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and
policies, and require a written
determination by the superintendent that such measures are needed to protect public health and safety;
prevent unacceptable impacts to park resources or values.
·
Any
restrictions imposed will be fully
explained to visitors and the public.
Visitors will be given appropriate information on how to keep adverse
impacts to a minimum and how to enjoy the safe and lawful use of the parks.
Arbitrarily
closing 4 days a week regardless of weather does not meet the standard of
closing for visitor safety. Last year
there were over 60 days that the road was closed during the 7 month winter
period despite clear roads and no drifting or avalanche threat.
·
Park
visitors must assume a substantial degree of risk and responsibility for their own safety when visiting areas that are
managed and maintained as natural, cultural, or recreational environments. 8.2.5
·
NPS
superintendents will use their discretion
to determine the level of program resources and the types of programs needed to
manage visitor risk within their park unit.
This will depend on the resources, values, park-specific mission, the
feasibility of various program levels, activities offered at the park, the
nature of the park visits, the degree of risks to visitors at the park, and the
history of visitor injury in the park. DO 50C
4.1
·
The
Service will work cooperatively with
other federal, tribal, state, and local agencies; organizations, and
individuals to carry out the responsibility to provide a safe and healthful
environment. 8.2.5
Off
Peak use should be encouraged to alleviate congestion, which is a problem at
Hurricane:
·
Encourage
visitor use of lesser-known parks and underutilized areas; use during non-peak
seasons, days of the week, and times
of the day; and visitation to related sites beyond park boundaries, as
appropriate, to enhance overall visitor experiences and protection of resources.
Director’s Order #17 4.7
Partnerships
with local entities are strongly encouraged:
·
Reinforces
cooperation with federal, state,
local and tribal governments, as well as individuals and organizations, to provide visitor enjoyment, and address
mutual interests in the quality of life
for community residents. 1.10
·
In
the spirit of partnership, the Service will
also seek opportunities for cooperative
management agreements with state or local agencies that will allow for more
effective and efficient management of the parks. 1.10
The
reasons given for the limited Hurricane Ridge schedule are “Operational and
staffing requirements, along with unpredictable severe weather conditions, make
a long-term commitment to consistently opening the road for seven day a week
winter access infeasible.” The obvious follow up of how much money does it
take, and how safe does it need to be has never been answered, or to my
knowledge even addressed internally, let alone fully explained to visitors and the public. Finding solutions to
funding or safety has not been pursued.
Finally,
you stated to the City Council that the previous superintendent reduced access
in an attempt to increase consistency.
Has that been successful?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that in fact the opposite is true; the road
has been less likely to open on time
for the weekend scheduled openings because of snow accumulated during the
week. Furthermore, 1- it is difficult to
argue that consistently closed is a better alternative to inconsistently opening;
2- severe weather is always inconsistent; 3- The road crew schedule has been
4x10 since before the current Friday to Sunday opening schedule.
To
summarize, the community has consistently expressed a desire for increased
winter access to Hurricane Ridge. A number
of solutions have been proposed, with a range of costs, including cooperation
with local and state governments. A
meaningful dialogue with interested stakeholders would be helpful.
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