[RodF]

The Spruce Railroad Trail Environmental Assessment (SRRT EA) was released today by Olympic National Park and is available for public review and download at http://tinyurl.com/SRRT-Olympic. The 2012 SRRT EA supersedes an EA released last year and includes new alternatives, including a new preferred alternative, and environmental analysis. “This project illustrates the value of public input,” said Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Todd Suess. “Important issues were raised during last year’s public comment period, particularly around accessibility, safety, and visitor experience. The plan has been reworked and is stronger as a result of the public comments.” A new preferred alternative was developed and is fully described in the SRRT EA, along with three other action alternatives and a no-action alternative. Public review and comment is invited on the new SRRT EA for a 30-day period which begins May 10, 2012. The NPS preferred alternative calls for the existing Spruce Railroad Trail to be improved and made accessible along its entire 3.5-mile length. “The new preferred alternative would establish an accessible, multipurpose trail in one of the park’s most popular destinations, while still protecting the unique and nationally significant historic and natural values of Lake Crescent and the Spruce Railroad,” stated Suess. The trail would be built to provide a 10.5 foot wide, firm and stable surface to be shared by pedestrians, equestrians, bicyclists and people traveling in wheelchairs. Both of the historic railroad tunnels along the trail would be reopened as part of the trail; existing bypass trails would be managed for foot and horse travel only. Interested members of the public are invited to attend a public meeting to be held at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. May 17 at the Port Angeles Senior and Community Center at 328 East Seventh Street in Port Angeles. An informational presentation will begin at 6:30. - NPS press release May 9, 2012

[RodF]

Reminder - open for public comments through June 8, 2012 - 2012 Spruce Railroad Trail EA

[RodF]

"Environmental Analysis Complete for Spruce Railroad Trail Improvements: Eight-Foot Asphalt Trail with Three-Foot Gravel Shoulder is Selected Alternative "The 2012 Spruce Railroad Trail Environmental Assessment (SRRT EA) has been completed and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was released today. The selected alternative (Alternative 5) calls for improving the Spruce Railroad Trail for universal accessibility by building an eight-foot wide asphalt trail with an adjacent three-foot wide gravel shoulder. "Overall, the trail will be 11 feet wide, with eight feet of asphalt and a three-foot unpaved shoulder to accommodate equestrians and other trail users who prefer to travel on an unpaved surface. Both of the historic railroad tunnels will be reopened as part of the trail. A new segment of trail will be built near Lyre River in order to bypass and mitigate the existing steep grades in that area. "The complete SRRT EA FONSI is available for public review and download at http://tinyurl.com/SRRT-Olympic. "Construction is dependent on available funding; no timeline has been established yet." - excerpts from NPS press release Note that the NPS' Preferred Alternative 4 (packed gravel surface) was not selected. The Selected Alternative 5 (paved surface) is based on the modified Clallam County proposal, supported by the majority of public comments, by Peninsula Trails Coalition, and by the City and County councils.

[Jeff Chapman]

It is a sad day for me. It was a unique and beloved NPS hiking trail along Lake Crescent, one of the most spectacular lakes in the United States. Now it will be a paved road. Oh joy. The Park should have stuck to their guns and said "take a hike".

[trestle]

The whole thing isn't going to be paved and it's far from the only trail available alongside a spectacular lake in ONP. And it won't be a road, enough with the hyperbole; it used to be a road anyways long before it was a trail. Besides, you're free to walk or ride on the gravel shoulder that will be placed next to the paving. I congratulate ONP for finally acquiescing in such a reasonable and logical manner; I wish for the same wisdom on the road clearing crews come winter. This must really get under your saddle:

[Jeff Chapman]

Perhaps the fact that once this is paved will mean it will be paved all around the lake makes it like being paved - all around the lake. Perhaps because one of the selling points that was used was that it could be used for emergency vehicles if US101 was shut down makes it like a road. Perhaps the fact that the ONP comments to the first decision for an aggregate surface after the 1st EA is very similar to the current response regarding a paved decision makes it not all that relevant. It is true that many of us support the ODT and did not actively seek to counter the County's position with a write-in campaign. But regardless of whether it was once a railroad grade way back when, it has been a narrow trail for decades that has been enjoyed by many, including those crossing the interesting punchbowl section that isn't so much like an old railroad grade. Which again brings me to my biggest lament. The complete insensitivity of the pavement advocates to those that have been using the trail all of these years and are sad to see the change. It has been a horse, hiker, and mountain biker trail. It will now be a road bike paved route, and yes, we horseback riders, hikers, runners, and mountain bikers can use the 3' up against the cutbank. It is a change, and no matter how much we are insulted, it is not one we have to be completely happy with. Even if we do support the ODT. Most all of the rest of the ODT does not change the targeted use of an existing federal system trail.

[RodF]

Olympic Discovery Trail - Spruce RR Trail "phase 2 part 1" Olympic NP, FHWA and Clallam County have signed an agreement on the next phase of ODT/SRRT from the Lyre River trailhead west to the long tunnel ("Devil's Punchbowl" area). "Under the new agreement, 2,500 feet of the existing trail will be widened, regraded and paved, while 1,300 feet of new trail will be constructed. Parking spaces will be added near the Lyre River trailhead, and a 550-foot spur will connect the new trail to an existing stretch of the Spruce Railroad Trail... The agreement schedules a bid award Aug. 8 and construction for Dec. 31." PDN reports

[IanB]

Time to take one last walk on the unique and spectacular Spruce Railroad Trail. Maybe they'll have golf-cart rentals at the trailhead - that would really improve the hiking experience. (Thank you Rod, for helping keep all of us posted on Oly road and trail access issues.)

[RodF]

We may have diverse opinions on the best alternative for the Spruce Railroad Trail segment of the Olympic Discovery Trail. But nearly all of us share the idea that public comments should be submitted in writing, and not in spray paint and by pulling all the survey stakes out.

SRRT 2014, public comment period is over?

90% of the public comments favored the Selected Alternative for completing the Olympic Discovery Trail and getting bikes off of the shoulder of US Highway 101 to this trail on north side of Lake Crescent. Except for a few, such as "OPA remains opposed to a Clallam County proposal that would pave the trail surface to 8 feet, widen the trail shoulders, and expand the cleared width of the trail corridor", and the belated comment pictured above, submitted last month. Parallels with Olympic NP's trail shelters are all too obvious...

charred remains of Falls Shelter

A year after Olympic Park Associates won it's lawsuit, preventing reconstruction of Home Sweet Home and Low Divide shelters in Olympic NP, Falls Shelter on the Gray Wolf River was targeted by an arsonist. At the same time, the arsonist also torched the privy, hidden about 50 yards away in the forest. Given the recent letter and article, one must worry about the future of Enchanted Valley Chalet, too...

[NacMacFeegle]