OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Rehabilitation of Boulder Creek Trail and campground is expected to begin in 2011 now that a plan for the work has been approved.
A finding of no significant environmental impact has been released for work on the trail, Barb Maynes, Olympic National Park spokeswoman, said Monday.
The Boulder Creek trailhead begins at the south end of Olympic Hot Springs Road and leads to the hot springs.
The first 2.2-mile stretch of asphalt crosses several drainages where culverts have been washed out or plugged with debris. There are several sections of the trail where creek drainages have washed away sections of asphalt and deposited gravel.
The National Park Service considered four alternatives for work — including one alternative of doing nothing — in an environmental assessment released in December.
Public comment led to some changes to the park’s preferred plan known as Alternative 4, park Superintendent Karen Gustin said in a statement.
“Thanks to thoughtful input and suggestions from the public, we have made improvements to our plan and are ready to move forward to rehabilitate the Boulder Creek area,” she said.
The project includes decommissioning the former Boulder Creek Road to improve access for hikers and equestrians and to improve protection of park resources.
The former road has been known as the Boulder Creek Trail for more than 30 years.
Key components of the project include removing asphalt from the old road, installing foot and stock-animal bridges and improved stream crossings, reducing the width of the trail to between 24 and 30 inches, replanting damaged campsites in the campground and improving vehicle access at the trailhead.
Maynes has said the project will be funded through federal stimulus money. No cost estimate was available.
Sections of the Boulder Creek Trail and campground area will be closed to public access during the project.
Most of the work will take place in 2011, Maynes said.
It is scheduled to occur during removal of the Glines Canyon Dam — one of two dams on the Elwha River that will be taken down beginning in 2011 — to minimize the length of time that access to the trail must be restricted.
Park documents relating to the trail rehabilitation can be viewed online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/olym.
For more information or for a printed copy of the 34-page finding of no significant impact, phone 360-565-3004.
