Addition would protect park's ecosystem and hold off sprawl.
MOUNT RAINIER N.P., WASH.—Legislation to expand Mount Rainier National Park, which observers say would protect the park's ecosystem and enhance visitor experience, could soon be signed into law.
In November, the House of Representatives voted to authorize an 800-acre increase of important river habitat adjacent to Mount Rainier in the Carbon River Valley. That area is part of Mount Rainier's river system and home to threatened and endangered species, including salmon and the marbled murrelet, a small seabird.
Heather Weiner, NPCA's Northwest regional director, said the approval of the House bill was a key step toward protecting the Carbon River Valley from sprawl.
"Mount Rainier is becoming a suburban park, visible from millions of backyards in Washington," said Weiner. "It is important that we protect this river valley for the future of the park's wildlife."
The extension would also provide for new visitor campsites. The road leading into the current campgrounds at Ipsut Creek often floods, preventing travel.
The National Park Service first proposed the three-mile extension in the park's general management plan of 2001. Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-Wash.) introduced the House bill. A similar bill is expected to pass in the Senate.
NPCA and other groups are working to ensure that the park extension is approved; once that happens, the groups will raise money, buy the land from its willing sellers, and transfer it to the park.
"The park [extension] is a great gift to future generations," said Liz Carr of the Carbon River Valley Conservation Project.
