Mountain fire plan available for review
Published 4:04 pm Thursday, April 30, 2009
Superintendent Dave Uberuaga recently announced the Fire Management Plan/Environmental Assessment (EA) for Mount Rainier National Park is available for public review.
"The revised Fire Management Plan acknowledges the role of fire as a natural ecosystem process while incorporating recent National Park Service policy and guidelines," Uberuaga said. "We look forward to hearing the public's responses to it."
Five alternatives, including the park's preferred alternative and a continuation of current management are presented in the plan. These alternatives present a range of ways to use the following fire management strategies: fire suppression, hazard fuel reduction, wild land fire use for resource benefits and prescribed fire.
The preferred alternative employs the maximum range of fire management strategies available to park managers. According to Uberuaga, "The ability to use the full spectrum of tools will increase flexibility, resulting in a proactive fire management program that combines better resource protection and better use of fire management dollars."
The plan and EA are available on the park's Web site or in local public libraries. To receive information or to request a CD copy of the plan and/or environmental assessment, please call 360-569-2211, ext. 2301 or access the park's Web site at http://www.nps.gov/mora/fire/mgt_plan.htm
Interested individuals and community groups are invited to join the superintendent and other park staff at one of three open house public briefings held to debut the plan/environmental assessment. The first is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Naches Ranger Station. The second is slated for 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Enumclaw Public Library, and the final meeting is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at Packwood Fire Station 10.
Public comments can be sent to: Superintendent, Mount Rainier National Park, Fire Management Plan, Tahoma Woods, Star Route, Ashford, Wash. 98304-9751. Comments will also be accepted via e-mail at: mora_fire_management@nps.gov.
All written public comments must be postmarked by Feb. 28.
