UPDATE: Thanks to Gary for his suggestion. If you can’t make it to one of the public hearings, your comments may be emailed to the Committee at SHACComments@co.skamania.wa.us. You can also download the Draft Recommendations from the Committee’s website.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Tonight may be one of your last chances to be heard on the future of Mt. St. Helens.
The Mt. St. Helens Advisory Committee is holding a public hearing on its plan to increase funding for the National Monument, bring in more tourism and improve scientific research. This is one of two hearings before the committee makes its final recommendations.
Courtesy: U.S. Geological Survey
The Committee proposes to grow tourism by:
- Building destination resorts inside and near the Monument.
- Building a lodge at Coldwater Ridge.
- Building and improving roads leading into the Monument.
- Find more opportunities for fishing and camping.
The proposal also includes efforts to increasing funding by making Mt. St. Helens a stand alone unit of the U.S. Forest Service. Currently it’s operated by the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The hope is that by giving the volcano a separate identity, it will get more attention and money from Congress. The Committee decided against making it a National Park.
Information on tonight’s hearing:
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Cowlitz County Commissioners Hearing Room, Kelso.
The next hearing will be held:
Monday, April 13
Camas Police Department Community Room
2100 NE 3rd, Camas
Whatever the commission decides, these are recommendations and Congress will have the final say about changes.
Earlier story:
Resorts Near The Volcano? A Future Vision For Mt. St. Helens.
HI and thanks for this note. Has this committee already had other meetings in Portland or Vancouver? They have been meeting for a while and as you said already blocked the idea of a National Park. It seems that for a NATIONAL monument and NATIONAL forest issues a broader set of possible stakeholders should be invited in. You might help by publishing a response address for sending ideas and opinions to the committee, not to mention reminding everyone that Congress does decide. Management and future of national land treasures which also hold scientific importance should not be hostage to very current issues like today’s economic condition.
Thank you
Gary Braasch