Public response to the Olympic National Park Draft Wilderness Proposal and Master Plan -- Summary and Analysis
The Recreation Research Project. 1974. Public response to the Olympic National Park Draft Wilderness Proposal and Master Plan -- Summary and Analysis. Seattle, WA
In August, 1973, the National Park Service made public a draft master plan and wilderness proposal for Olympic National Park, accompanied by draft environmental impact statements. Hearings on the master plan were held in Aberdeen on October 31 and in Port Angeles on November 2; wilderness hearings took place on November 1 in Aberdeen and November 3 in Port Angeles. The public was asked to respond to these plans by December 3, 1973. The wilderness proposal suggested Wilderness for 93% of the park, excluding from wilderness 26,000 acres near Mt. Angeles. Two hostels and surrounding 23-acre enclaves were proposed within the wilderness area. The park master plan dealt with several issues, incluidng: plans for incorporating private inholdings, adjustment of certain park boundaries to fit hydrographic divides, removal of facilities at Sol Duc Hot Springs, relocation of arterial highways within the park, and a proposed addition to the Park of a strip of ocean coastline at Point of Arches/Shi Shi Beach. Seveal organized groups responded to the National Park Service proposals with their own plans. The Olympic Peninsula Heritage Council recommended only 56% of the park as wilderness, a policy of development for intensive recreation for the remainder, and no further expansions in total park size. A conservationist coalition group, the Olympic Park Associates, proposed more wilderness that the National Park Service recommendation and further additions to the park. These issues and many others were discussed in 1,734 inputs sent to the National Park Service. This report summarizes the public responses by indicating what opinions were expressed, what reasons were given to support these opinions, and how the opinions varied on major issues by where respondents live, who responded and the form in which the input was provided.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- The Recreation Research Project
- Date of Issue
- 1974
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- Master Plan, Planning, public input, Wilderness