Proposals on how to deal with public access along the Carbon River corridor at Mount Rainier National Park should be released by early January.

Park staff has developed alternatives, but has yet to complete the environmental assessment, said acting superintendent Randy King.

“We’ve done a lot of work on the alternatives, and have come up with a preferred alternative,” King said. “We just have to get the document written.”

Preliminary alternatives included creating a hiking/biking trail on the road corridor, rebuilding the road to Chenius Falls but for shuttle buses only or building a trail away from the river. King would not identify the preferred alternative.

The park has been preparing the assessment since June 2008 as it seeks a way to maintain access to the northwest corner of the park. The road to the Ipsut Creek campground was severely damaged during the historic 2006 flood. Since then, access has been limited to foot and bike traffic.

King expects some work to begin next year. Some of the economic recovery funds the park received are for the Carbon area and that money has to be spent by 2010.

“There is some work that needs to be done, no matter what alternative is selected,” King said.

That includes moving or removing some flood-damaged buildings, moving equipment and building flood protection at the Carbon entrance.

Paradise parking: The lower parking lot at Paradise is now open. While some landscape work remains to be done, there are now 233 parking spaces available in the lot.

“It won’t be enough in July, but it sure helps,” King said with a laugh.

This was the last major aspect of the project that involved the construction of the new Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center and the demolition of the old center.

Jeffrey P. Mayor, The News Tribune