+TotemLake Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Senate approves Mount Rainier National Park expansion bill 02:18 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 KARIN CZULIK / KING5.com Mount Rainier WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that will expand the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park by roughly 800 acres - the largest expansion in over 70 years. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Jennifer Dunn both had bills that would improve access for visitors to the park, allow for a new campsite to be built, and save taxpayers money that will no longer be needed to repair damages to a road that frequently gets washed out. According to a recent study conducted by Michigan State University, visitors to Mount Rainier spent over $24 million in 2001, supporting nearly 800 jobs and $13 million in personal incomes in communities surrounding the Park. In addition, it is estimated that Mount Rainier visitors spent $6.75 million at local restaurants and bars, and $5.5 million at regional lodging facilities. Specifically, the bill will authorize the purchase of a three-mile strip of land along the Carbon River, extending Mount Rainier National Park's northwest boundary and adding approximately 800 acres to the park. The area that would be set aside for park protection contains one of the last inland old-growth rainforests in the country. It will also link Mount Rainier National Park to Pierce County's Fairfax Forest, creating a corridor that can be used by migrating elk and other animals. The Mount Rainier National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2003 has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now awaits the President's signature. Quote Link to comment
+TotemLake Posted September 15, 2004 Author Share Posted September 15, 2004 I'm not real familiar with the area, but I posted this just in case there might be a cache being affected by this expansion. Quote Link to comment
+WeightMan Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 I saw a map this morning in the New Tribune. The addition is on the Carbon River and appears to not be contiguous with the park. I have not had a chance to check the Seattle Times today. Quote Link to comment
+pdxmarathonman Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Fee Free Day at the park is this Saturday Quote Link to comment
+GrnXnham Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Yep, this looks like we will have to move at least one of our caches. We have 6 caches in this area but hopefully, most will be unaffected. Quote Link to comment
+Bull Moose Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Also, Ft. Clatsop National Memorial becoming Lewis and Clark National Memorial and is expanding to sites in Washington as well as expanding in size in Oregon. It looked like spome of the areas may have previously been state administered areas that would be geocaching friendly. Quote Link to comment
+5 Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Yep, this looks like we will have to move at least one of our caches. We have 6 caches in this area but hopefully, most will be unaffected. "Nurse Tree"? Does that mean that I could find and log it again? Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.