Mount Rainier National Park staff has begun developing an environmental assessment to gauge the effect of work to be done on the road from the Nisqually entrance to Paradise. The work is not expected to begin until 2012.

Although some minor repairs were done earlier this summer, the road is in need of some major repairs, said acting superintendent Randy King. The assessment will identify alternatives and analyze and disclose potential environmental effects, he said.

The final environmental assessment is expected to be released for public comment in May.

“The total estimated net construction cost for all of the Nisqually to Paradise Road, including associated pullouts, viewpoints, parking areas, as well as the Ricksecker Point one-way loop and the Paradise Valley Road, is approximately $32.7 million,” said Eric Walkinshaw, the park’s civil engineer.

The road runs from the park’s busiest entrance and continues for 17.6 miles to Paradise. It is the only year-round access and leads to the park’s most popular destination at Paradise.

According to park plans, the work would be done in steps:

Phase 1: The repair and rehabilitation of the first 6.2 miles from the Nisqually entrance to Longmire. This phase would cost an estimated $7.4 million.

Phase 2: From Longmire to milepost 11.5 (Glacier Bridge over the Nisqually River). Cost estimate: $10 million.

Phase 3: Finishes the road to Paradise, plus the main parking lots at Paradise, the Narada Falls parking area and the Ricksecker Point scenic loop, Paradise Valley Road and pullouts. Cost estimate: $15.3 million.

Some of the proposed work includes removal and/or stabilization of the road subsurface and surface, slope stabilization and repair, trenching and installation of utility conduit, improvement of drainage culverts, repair and rehabilitation of historic guard walls and culvert headwalls and reconfiguration and repair of Kautz Creek parking area.

As with most features within the park, the road and stone masonry walls are elements of the National Historic Landmark District. The current character of the road and the visitor driving experience are key considerations when evaluating possible alternatives for the work.

Other key factors impacting the work: The road crosses several major tributaries, including debris flow areas, and much of the road runs through old-growth habitat that is home to the Northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet.

Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640

jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com

blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure

To get involved

The park is seeking comments from the public to help identify the range of issues to be addressed in the assessment, as well as potential alternatives for reducing effects on park resources, visitor access and safety. Comments should be postmarked or electronically date stamped no later than Dec. 4. You can comment by:

Writing: Superintendent, Mount Rainier National Park, 55210 238th Ave. E., Ashford, WA 98304

Online: parkplanning.nps.gov, then choosing Mount Rainier National Park from the drop-down menu.