Spring 2005 Vol.3, No. 1
In This Issue:
Bear Sightings Expected To Increase In NW Parks
REI’s Sally Jewell Joins NPCA National Board
Local Congressman, Norm Dicks, Wins NPCA’s Highest Award
Nancy Dorey, Former Principal, Is Now Do-It-All Volunteer
Locals Help Restore Elwha River Valley at Olympic National Park
 Notes from Heather Weiner, Regional Director Weiner
National Parks Face Summer of Burning Issues
Record low snowfall and predictions for record high wildfires means national parks will be busy responding to crisis situations all summer. Here is an update on other hot issues burning at our national parks:
Park Funding Crisis: According to NPCA’s new report Faded Glory, funding shortfalls are still the biggest crisis facing our northwest national parks. Last summer, parks like Olympic were forced to cut the number of seasonal rangers, cancel repairs, and reduce visitor center hours. To solve the long-term crisis, Congress is considering the National Park Centennial Act, designed to fully fund the maintenance needs of all 388 national parks by 2016. The bill includes an innovative funding source a check off box for national parks on our federal IRS tax returns. UPDATE: This bipartisan bill (H.R.1124) is sponsored by Washington’s Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) and Dave Reichert (R-Mercer Island). Write to your members of Congress and ask them to join Reps. Baird and Reichert in supporting this bill. www.npca.org/takeaction
Unhealthy Smog Clogs National Parks: On at least 10 days last summer, ozone (smog) concentrations at Mt. Rainier approached levels dangerous to people with asthma and lung problems, as well as to healthy climbers gasping their way up to Camp Muir. Officials at the National Park Service recently reported that ozone levels are worsening at North Cascades National Park. Online digital animation at www.northwestwatch.org uses pollution data to show how the smog grows around the I-5 corridor during morning rush hour and hovers over Mt. Rainier by noon. UPDATE: The Washington State Legislature just passed a bill designed to improve Mt. Rainier’s air quality by increasing emission standards for new cars sold in the state, starting in 2008. Learn more at www.cleancarswashington.org
Protecting Mt. Rainier’s Carbon River Valley. Last fall, the president signed legislation adding 800 acres to Mt. Rainier National Park. The largest expansion to this park in more than 70 years, the Carbon River addition will improve visitor access, reduce taxpayer spending on road repairs, and protect one of the lower 48 states’ last inland rainforests from conversion to housing developments. UPDATE: Congress must now appropriate funding (estimated at $5 million) for this acquisition. Call your member of Congress at 202.224.3211.
Correction: Our fall 2004 newsletter should have given photo credit to Dave Curran for his wonderful coastal sunset photo. Instead we gave credit for Dave’s work to another fine photographer, Bruce C. Moore. Both deserve our thanks for their photography donations. See more at www.davecurranimages.com and www.brucecmoore.com.
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