For the first time in many years Congress has authorized an expenditure from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) of $700 million, as part of this year's balanced budget agreement. A little less than half that amount has been designated for several projects, including the New World Mine immediately north of Yellowstone National Park and the Headwaters Forest (coastal redwoods). Congress has stipulated that the balance of the $700 million LWCF allocation be prioritized by the Administration, those projects to be approved or disapproved by Congress before the funds become available.
No funds are specifically included for dam removals or restoration of the Elwha River in this Congressional budget. However, it would allocate $3 million towards purchase of the Elwha dams from James River Corporation. Added to previous Congressional authorizations, this would bring dam acquisition funds to $1 I million; total acquisition cost of Glines Canyon and Lower Elwha dams is $29,800,000.
It is understood that Elwha River restoration is high on the Administration's priority list for the LWCF pot, but no specific dollar figures are known at this writing. Since Congress added several "anti-environmental" items and riders to the Interior Appropriations bill, it is not known whether the President will sign the bill or veto it. Some of us have wondered about the "line item veto" now available to Presidents, but the feeling is that this is not likely since there may be too many "bad" projects in this bill.
Whether or not funds are designated this year for the Elwha, your voices and letters in support of full restoration of the Elwha River to a natural state are extremely important. Your messages should go to President Clinton and your Members of Congress.
DID YOU KNOW? ELWHA RIVER FISH
Fisheries biologists estimate that when the lower Elwha Dam is removed, but not the Glines Canyon dam, the following returns can be anticipated. If there is fish passage at the Glines Canyon site, total returns in 30 to 35 years would be 62,472. If no fish passage is provided over Glines Canyon dam, the fish returns in about 30 years amount to 30,761. This presumes fish habitat below Glines Canyon dam is satisfactory, but it is known this middle river will be "relatively poor fish habitat" as long as Glines dam remains. Therefore, these figures can be considered "overestimates." The returns are calculated for all five species of salmon (Chinook, Coho, Chum, Pink and Sockeye) and for Steelhead.
In talking with fish biologist, Brian Winters, it was learned that an estimated 400,000 fish will return to the Elwha River system, once it is again a natural free-flowing river. This means all the pristine spawning areas within Olympic National Park would be then be available.
The proposed reintroduction of wolves to Olympic National Park continues to gain momentum. Both Congressman Norm Dicks and Senator Slade Gorton have called for studies to examine the feasibility of this action, although the focus of the Senate version of the appropriations bill varies considerably from that of the House. Senator Gorton's version is primarily concerned with impacts of wolf reintroduction on local communities, as well as whether or not there is sufficient local approval.
Local feelings seem to be running in favor of reintroduction, although there is a small (but very vocal) anti-wolf contingent. A 1995 masters thesis from Washington State University examined the attitudes of residents from Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, and Mason Counties toward a possible reintroduction of wolves to the Olympics, and found 48% of respondents in favor, while only 40% were against. A presentation by Mission: Wolf at Peninsula College, following the April wolf conference at Olympic Park Institute, was attended by over three hundred people, the overwhelming majority of whom supported the wolf recovery.
A number of educational programs relating to wolves and wolf recovery are currently being undertaken, most notably those at Wolf Haven International, in Tenino. Wolf Haven has also conducted classroom presentations here on the peninsula, with support from OPA, and currently is assisting Peninsula Environmental Center in expanding our own wolf education efforts. The Bremerton Sun recently ran a seven-day series that presented a reasonably in-depth look at the issues surrounding wolf introduction.
Defenders of Wildlife has clearly taken the lead in wolf advocacy, and has offered invaluable assistance to local activists. Gerry Ring Erickson, Defenders' representative for Washington State, gave a presentation to the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce, which was attended by approximately fifty people. His talk appeared to be well received. In addition, Defenders is coordinating periodic wolf activist meetings, the last of which Tim McNulty and I attended. A forthcoming meeting is scheduled for December 6 at Wolf Haven. Those who may be interested in attending should contact Beth Church at (360) 264-4695 for details.
As expected, the reintroduction of wolves is not universally accepted in all quarters. The city council of Forks, on the peninsula's west end, has formally declared their opposition, a move endorsed by editorials in the Forks Forum. This declaration is unfortunate and somewhat premature since it comes prior to any feasibility study.
On September 22, the Clallam Citizens Coalition (CCC) hosted a day-long conference which addressed, among other wildlife issues, the proposed wolf reintroduction. Congresswoman Linda Smith was the keynote speaker. The CCC is a Port Angeles-based group that vigorously opposes reintroduction. Attendance at the event was rather sparse (89), and of those present, between one-third and one-half were wolf supporters.
The CCC has released a position paper opposing wolf reintroduction. Those interested in obtaining a packet that contains the CCC paper as well as PEC's response, can receive one by writing to: Peninsula Environmental Center, P.O. Box 1276, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or calling (360) 457-0408.
For an information packet on wolf reintroduction issues contact Peninsula Environmental Center, P0. Box 1276. Port Angeles. WA 98362, (360) 457-0408.
To find out how you can become a wolf activist. contact Gerry Ring Erickson, Washington Slate Representative. Defenders of Wildlife. 100 E. Old Winery Rd, Shelton, WA 98584, (360)427-2887, email gerrye@halcyon.com.
In July of this year, Park Service biologists conducted an aerial census of mountain goat populations on the Olympic Peninsula. The estimated of the current population is between 237 and 325, quite similar to the 225-351 mountain goat estimate from the 1994 census.
We are still awaiting word from Washing ton, D.C., on the composition of the panel of scientists that will be reviewing the mountain goat data. In the meantime, we recommend OPA members pick up a copy of the November, 1997, issue of Signpost for Northwest Trails to read the excellent mountain goat article written by OPA Board member Ira Spring along with Harvey Manning, in which they state:
"The goat is the quintessential symbol of the high, wild of the Cascades, that is, where it is native and belongs...For goats, hike the Cascades. For the high alpine plants endemic to the Olympics and found nowhere else on the planet, hike in the de-goated Olympics."
REI sponsored a slide program and lecture regarding wolf reintroduction into the Olympics, with a showing and telling the story of return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park and to wilderness in Central Idaho. Ed Bangs, who heads up the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's wolf recovery group for the northern Rockies, gave a dynamic presentation to approximately 200 people. Also present, answering questions, were Jeff Haas of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, based in Lacey, Washington, and Patti Happe, Olympic National Park wildlife biologist. Jeff will be in charge of the year-long study to assess the feasibility of returning wolves to Olympic National Park. After that, further information will be assembled. If reintroduction is recommended, a full Environmental Impact Statement will be undertaken and public hearings held.
Some in the audience questioned using funds for an Olympic wolf reintroduction rather than in the North Cascades. It was pointed out that in the North Cascades, where wolves have already become naturally reestablished, the "experimental population rule" can not be used; this special rule permits killing of a reintroduced wolf under circumstances where, for example, the wolf had killed a rancher's cow.
Conservationists and other opponents of jetskis on national park waters rejoiced briefly this summer at the news that the National Park Service (NPS) planned to issue an Interim Rule banning jetskis on waters in national parks (with a few exceptions to be determined).
Unfortunately, joy was premature. Apparently strong industry pressure has forced the NPS into its more characteristic mode of interminable review. Instead of an Interim Rule, which would have become effective upon publication in the Federal Register, park service administrators decided to issue a Proposed Rule.
A Proposed Rule, before taking effect, faces a lengthy internal review process, which can take months or longer. Then the Proposed Rule is published in the Federal Register and there is a public comment period of 60 days before the development of a final rule.
In the case of the jetski rule, the process is not likely to be completed before next year's jetski season is upon us.
According to NPS spokesman Dennis Burnett, in the Washington DC office, if no Proposed Rule has been adopted by Spring, 1998, the NPS reserves the right to issue an Interim Rule.
Can the NPS protect pristine park waters from jetski industry pressure? We'll see.
Recently Olympic Park Associates learned that the Quileute Tribe seeks to acquire an area in the vicinity of Rialto Beach within the boundaries of the coastal strip of Olympic National Park. Before any further action is taken by the National Park Service or Congress to remove from Olympic National Park this critical area of the Park's coastal strip. it is essential that an Environmental Impact Statement be prepared.
OPA has asked the Quileute Tribe for an opportunity to meet with them, to learn their interests, and to share those of Olympic Park Associates. Below is the text of a resolution adopted by OPA on this subject, and a map outlining the lands that the Quileute Tribe seeks to acquire.
Resolution of the Board of Trustees,
Olympic Park Associates,
Regarding the Proposed Land Exchange
Between the Quileute Indian Tribe
and the National Park Service
WHEREAS, Olympic Park Associates is a conservation organization dedicated to protecting the resources of the Olympic National Park and the integrity of its boundaries;
WHEREAS, Olympic Park Associates supports protection of Indian treaty rights and adequate redress of Indian treaty claims;
WHEREAS, Olympic Park Associates believes the Quillayute River and its riparian corridor are invaluable assets for the Olympic National Park and Olympic Park Associates is gravely concerned about adverse environmental impacts to the Quillayute River corridor
WHEREAS, Olympic Park Associates believes the Quileute tribal claims regarding ownership and use of Rialto Beach should be fully addressed without unreasonable delay; and
WHEREAS, Olympic Park Associates is unable to take a position on the land exchange described by the National Park Service to resolve Quileute tribal claims regarding ownership and use of Rialto Beach without full compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and a complete understanding of the legal basis and environmental consequences of the proposed exchange;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
That Olympic Park Associates request the National Park Service to comply fully with the National Environmental Policy Act and consider alternatives to the land exchange as proposed;
That Olympic Park Associates request Congress not take formal action on the exchange until the National Park Service fully complies with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act for the proposal;
That Olympic Park Associates request a meeting with the Quileute Tribal Council to discuss our concerns about the proposed land exchange;
That copies of this Resolution be sent to the Washington Congressional delegation, the Secretary of Interior, the National Park Service Director and the Chairman of the Quileute Indian Tribe.
ADOPTED on the 24th Day of September, 1997.
A chronic problem facing Olympic National Park (as well as other national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, etc.) is a lack of funding. Despite record visitation, our land management agencies are faced with an aging infrastructure and impact mitigation from higher visitation, coupled with an ever increasing backlog of unfunded maintenance needs. OPA has always been supportive of increased appropriations to properly protect our national treasures. Congress, on the other hand, has consistently failed to adequately fund our federal land management agencies, but has been rather free with our money subsidizing corporations and ensuring a healthy defense budget. With renewed efforts to reduce the federal deficit, Republican-controlled Congress determined the only mechanism available to them to correct this short coming was not to reprioritize more money for the National Park Service (NPS), but to allow the NPS (and other land management agencies) to collect more revenue to help pay the bills.
To accomplish this, Congress authorized a Recreational Fee Demonstration Program in 1996 whereby select national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management sites could charge (or increase) fees for recreational usage in traditionally "free" areas. In the case of Olympic National Park that included such things as a $1 per day parking at Lake Ozette, overnight Wilderness Use fees, additional frontcountry campground fees, etc. The purpose of the program is to "experiment" with a range of fees over a 3-year period, then report back to Congress on the successes/failures of the program. In the meantime, 80% of the money received (in excess of that collected in Fiscal Year 1995) is returned to the park to fund the huge backlog of maintenance projects.
The first year of the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program is now over and the results are in. First of all, the program is not without its critics. In the September-October issue of Earth First! Journal, writer Scott Silver openly called for a boycott of the program, stating: "It is up to the public to put a stop to further privatization of our National Heritage. Once it's sold, it's gone forever." A Port Angeles- based organization called Free Our Parks and Forests has been formed to fight the program. FOPAF President Ken Nattinger writes, "We already pay enough taxes to take care of (our national parks) properly, and we should be able to walk into our public lands, the same way we walk into our public libraries - for free. It's a vision worth preserving."
But what has the collection of our fees for using Olympic National Park this year mean for our beloved park? Olympic National Park has an operating budget of approximately $7.5 million and this year collected about $1.8 million in fees but actually received approximately $520,000 in "new" money as a result of the Fee Demonstration Program (see Table 1).
| Fees collected | $1,800,000 |
| Minus Golden Eagle / Access Passes (money goes directly to Washington, D.C.) | - 100,000 |
| Minus FY 95 connections | - 1.070.000 |
| New fee money | 630,000 |
| Minus 20% to Washington, D.C. | -126.000 |
| Fee money retained by Olympic N.P. | $504,000 |
In reality, the park actually received $520,000 in fee revenue. Now the big question is: what are park officials going to spend it on? Below is a list of projects (in priority order) that is targeted to receive these new funds. The prices below are for a 3-year period (e.g. divide the total dollar amount by 3 to get the annual funding amount). It should be noted that all values in Table 2 are approximate and the order of priority is in a state of flux. Chief Ranger Curt Sauer welcomes your comments on any aspect of the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program. (Address your letter to the Olympic National Park Headquarters, Attn: Fee Demo Dollars, 600 E. Park Avenue, Port Angeles, WA 98362).
| Improve wilderness information for backcountry users | $155,000 |
| Rehab backcountry trails parkwide | $150,000 |
| Wilderness trip video and trip planner | $27,000 |
| Wilderness camp area revegetation | $200,000 |
| Rehab backcountry historic ranger stations | $108,000 |
| Stabilize shelters | $60,000 |
| Upgrade frontcountry trails | $45,000 |
| Paint public use buildings parkwide | $75,000 |
| Replace (produce) visitor orientation film | $31,000 |
| Reroof public use buildings parkwide | $75,000 |
| Construct restroom at Quinault Visitor Center | $75,000 |
| Replace restrooms doors parkwide | $45,000 |
| Replace lighting at Hoh Visitor Center | $4,000 |
| Replace picnic tables parkwide | $150,000 |
| Replace campground fire grates | $33,000 |
| Renew gravel surfaces - roads/parking areas | $230,000 |
| Replace Ozette trailhead interpretative exhibit | $10,000 |
| Hurricane Parkway slope stabilization | $13,000 |
| Replace trailhead wilderness/interpretive panels | $12,000 |
| Rehab historic frontcountry ranger station | $90,000 |
| Rehab frontcountry historic landscapes | $75,000 |
| Repair water distribution systems | $40,000 |
| Replace regulatory and information signs | $40,000 |
| Rehab Hurricane Hill facilities | $242,000 |
| Rehab Hurricane Ridge Lodge exterior | $205,000 |
| Upgrade Hoh sewer system | $100,000 |
| Rehab Hoh Campground | $120,000 |
| Repair boat docks and ramps | $15,000 |
Hazel Wolf, Senior Board Member, Earns Junior Ranger Award
The Junior Ranger Certificate is the latest, and not the least cherished, in an impressive series of honors bestowed upon Hazel Wolf during her 99th year of environmental and social activism. This year Dr. ("Doc") Wolf was awarded an honorary doctorate from Seattle University, the Chevron Conservation Award. and the Audubon Medal. presented by the National Audubon Society to only one recipient each year.
These and many other honors are the icing on the Hazel Wolf cake. Underneath is what is really important: warmth that embraces all living creatures, commitment to justice for all people. wisdom to see to the heart of an issue, courage to act decisively, dedication to leave no worthy work undone. and the wit to inspire others.
Junior Ranger Pledge: I promise to preserve and protect the plants , animals and history of Olympic National Park and my community by showing respect for the environment wherever I go. I will observe park rules, stay safe, and help rangers care for all parks.
Hazel Wolf is a very good Ranger.
Tim McNulty, OPA Vice President, Receives Governor's Writers' Award For Olympics Book
Tim McNulty earned the 1997 Governor's Writers' Award for his authoritative, delightfully readable book on the natural history. geology. flora, and fauna of the Olympics. Olympic National Park: A Natural History Guide. The 10 recipients of the Award were chosen from among 400 nominees, on the basis of the literary merit of their work and the quality of publication. Selection is made by the WA State Library and the WA Commission for the Humanities.
A poet and naturalist. Tim has a rich perspective on the Olympics, a mixture of art and science. As a resident of the Olympic Peninsula, Tim is intimately acquainted with the Olympics, and has been an active conservation leader and a valuable resource on the Board of Olympic Park Associates. His Olympics book was reviewed by Phil Zalesky in Volume 4, No.2 (November, 1996) of OPA's newsletter. Voice of the Wild Olympics.
Watch for another McNulty volume, this one on Mt. Rainier National Park, due out in time to celebrate the park's centennial, 1999.
NcNulty's Olympics book is published by Houghton Mifflin (1996, ISBN 0-395-69980-0).
The Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone, by Thomas McNamee (Henry Holt and Company, Inc., 1997, 354 pages, ISBN 0-8050-3101-4). McNamee also discusses wolf reintroduction into the wildernesses of Central Idaho.
Olympic Park's Missing Predator,by Tim McNulty, in DEFENDERS, Summer 1997, pp 6-13, magazine of Defenders of Wildlife. Tim McNulty is also Vice President of Olympic Park Associates as well as a poet and nature writer.
Little Red Hiding Wolf,a delightful children's book, by Janet Holbrook, illustrated by Mary Mason McNutt (1992, 35 pages, ISBN 0-9636203-3-4). Available from: the author, Holbrook Dogwoods, 329 Happy Valley Road, Sequim, WA 98382; Wolf Haven in Tenino, WA; or from your bookstore.