Olympic National Park gets only about 60 percent of what it needs to adequately serve visitors, maintain roads and trails, and its protect natural resources, according to a national conservation group.
The National Parks Conservation Association is calling for congressional action as the national Park Service’s centennial approaches. The group released a report on Dec. 3 detailing and drawing attention to what it calls “funding shortfalls and opportunities” facing Olympic National Park.
“With years of insufficient funding, Olympic National Park is facing challenges that we sadly see across our National Park System — and it is time for Congress to write a new story for our national treasures,” Rob Smith, Northwest Regional Director for National Parks Conservation Association, said.
“Investing in Olympic and our national parks is good for visitors, good for protecting world-class natural resources for future generations and good for regional jobs and businesses — a triple win.”
The report comes as members of Congress seek a spending deal to provide funding for national parks and other federal programs and agencies with a Dec. 11 deadline, and as the National Park Service approaches its 100th anniversary in 2016.
The report, entitled “Park on the Edge,” examines what the conservation group calls “years of inadequate funding” that has led to Olympic National Park’s $133 million buildup of maintenance needs for trails, visitor centers and other facilities — contributing to the more than $11 billion backlog across the National Park System.
The report also includes four case studies, focusing on the Elwha River, Hurricane Ridge, coastal regions and the Hoh Rain Forest.
The Elwha River’s dam removal project — the largest dam removal in U.S. history — allowed for salmon to return to historic spawning grounds, but the report notes, “relatively small amount of additional funds are needed to complete the revegetation of the area and allow continued scientific monitoring and research in the region.”
In the Hoh Rain Forest, a newly renovated visitor center opened in this section of the park in June. Because of a lack of more funding, just one ranger was hired to staff the center to greet and provide information to visitors, and the center opened without new exhibits.
At Hurricane Ridge, funds allow for the road to be plowed three days per week, leaving the visitor center and views of the Olympics accessible for just part of the winter months.
While volunteers contribute about 12,000 hours each year to help with maintenance, the coastal wilderness regions of the park are being neglected, the report notes.
“A $200,000 annual influx could completely support the staff needed to maintain the trails for the safety of visitors as well as to prevent damage to park resources,” National Parks Conservation Association representatives say.
About ONP
Last year, about 3.2 million visits to Olympic National Park generated $264 million in spending in communities like Sequim, Port Angeles and Forks, and contributed to more than 3,600 jobs, according to the National Park Service.
The park’s popularity continues to grow, the Park Service noted, with June visits up 40 percent this year and a 77-percent increase overall in campground attendance.
“Olympic National Park is vital to the economic well-being for the community of Port Angeles,” Russ Veenema, executive director of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, said. “The park rangers do a good job of caring for Olympic with the resources available, but it is up to us citizens and business leaders to advocate for more appropriate funding levels.”
See www.npca.org/resources/3152-park-on-the-edge-funding-shortfalls-at-olympic-national-park for the full report.
