NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Monday, February 4, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Olympic NP
Update On Recovery From December Storm
Despite nearly two months of intensive work by park crews, damage from the record-breaking storm of December 3rd continues to restrict public access to many park areas. An overview of damage follows:
Quinault Rain Forest - Portions of the North Shore and South Shore Roads remain open, but the Quinault Loop Road is inaccessible. To protect public safety and allow safe operation of heavy equipment, sections of the North Shore, South Shore, North Fork and Graves Creek Roads are closed to all public entry, including foot and bicycle access. Restoring access to the Quinault loop is one of the park's top priorities. Barring any future storms, plans are to reopen the loop road with temporary repairs by the end of March. The North Shore Road is currently open from Highway 101 approximately 11 miles to Clark Hill, giving area residents access to their homes. The road is closed to all public access east of the gate at Clark Hill to allow work crews and heavy equipment to make repairs. The South Shore Road is open from Highway 101 to the park boundary, but is closed to all public access beyond that point because of extensive damage. A 750-foot-long section of road washed out during the December 3rd flood and another 150-foot-long section of road is covered by rock and debris. Other damage includes bank erosion and numerous trees blown down across the road. Although long term repairs will be necessary to maintain access, park crews are planning to make emergency repairs in order to restore public access by the end of March. The North Fork Road was covered by hundreds, if not thousands, of trees during the windstorm. While park crews have succeeded in clearing about half of the road's length, more work is needed before the road can be opened. The campground sustained some flood damage and downed trees. The Graves Creek Road was severely damaged in three locations along its 6.3 mile length from floodwaters of the Quinault River. The road was also damaged at six other locations by heavy rain, runoff and downed trees. The park is developing alternatives to permanently repair the damaged roadway to provide more sustainable access along the South Shore Road and Graves Creek Road. Options may include the design and placement of engineered log jams and bank barbs along portions of the roadway to better protect the road while protecting and improving habitat for fish.
Queets Valley - The Lower Queets Road is currently closed because of snow, but has been open as far as Matheny Creek. The road has been closed beyond that point since 2005 due to a landslide. Access to the Upper Queets Valley is expected to open by the end of March, although the campground will likely open later to allow crews time to repair storm damage.
Hoh Rain Forest - The Hoh Road is closed outside the park boundary because of flood damage. There is currently two feet of snow at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. Weather and snow conditions permitting, the road is expected to open by the end of February.
Coastal Destinations - The park's road-accessible coastal destinations (Kalaloch, Mora, Ozette) are open, including all roads, campgrounds and trailheads. Coastal trails and wilderness travel routes have not been fully assessed, so hikers should use caution and be prepared for washouts.
Sol Duc Valley - The Sol Duc Road is closed because of snow and a mud and debris slide that crossed the road just above Salmon Cascades. Park crews anticipate opening the road by March 1st - in time for spring opening of the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.
Lake Crescent - All roads in the Lake Crescent area are open, but visitors are urged to use caution when hiking as trails in the area have not yet been fully assessed.
Elwha Valley - Roads in the Elwha Valley are in generally good condition, but may close in the event of snow or ice. The Elwha Campground is open. The Altair Campground sustained some damage from flooding during the December 3rd storm, but is scheduled to open over Memorial Day weekend for the summer season.
Hurricane Ridge Road - Weather and road conditions permitting, Hurricane Ridge Road is open Friday through Sunday through March 30th, along with Presidents Day, February 18th. The road may close at any time because of heavy snow, high winds, high avalanche danger or a full parking lot. The road was damaged by rain and runoff during the December 3rd storm, leading to three sites that are now only one lane in width. These sites will be repaired during the two-year repaving project set to begin this spring.
Dosewallips Road - The road remains closed because of a washout outside the park boundary.
Staircase - Staircase Road is closed for the season. It sustained major damage during the December storm, both within and outside of the park boundary. Staff from Olympic National Park are working closely with Olympic National Forest personnel to develop a strategy for reopening the road by the summer season. Five riverside sites in the Staircase Campground were lost to floodwaters along the North Fork Skokomish River, but the campground is expected to open for the summer season.
Park Trails - With over ten feet of snow at the park's higher elevations, little is known about many of the park's trail conditions. More information will be available once snow begins to melt later in the year. Hikers are urged to use caution and to be prepared for numerous downed trees as well as damaged or washed out trails, along with changeable winter weather conditions. When available, current trail condition reports are posted at the Olympic National Park website, HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/olym/" www.nps.gov/olym/.
[Barb Maynes, Public Affairs Officer]
Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP
Woman Dies After Being Stepped On By Horse
N.S., 62, of Birchwood, Tennessee, was riding in the park just after noon on January 30th when she fell from her horse. The horse then turned around and stepped on her abdomen, inflicting serious injuries. Ranger Jim Staub and local EMS personnel responded, treated her, and got her to a hospital. She subsequently succumbed to her injuries. [Robert Harris, Acting Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS (internal) or NPS Digest (external). The web sites, respectively are:
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index
HYPERLINK "http://www.npsdigest.gov/" http://www.npsdigest.gov/
Servicewide - February is African American History Month. The theme for this year's observance is “Carter G. Woodson and the origins of multiculturalism.”
Fire and Aviation Management - Director's Order 18: Wildland Fire Management, which states the basic principles and strategic guidelines governing the management of wildland fire by the NPS, has been approved by Director Bomar.
Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service.
Natural Resource Program Center - Robert D. Higgins, chief of the Education and Outreach Branch, Geologic Resources Division, Natural Resources Program Center, retired on January 2nd after 38 years of federal service. A party is being held on February 9th. Photo.
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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
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