Greater Quilcene/Brinnon Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 774
Quilcene, WA 98376
(360) 765-4999

October 6, 2004

Linda Goodman, Regional Director            Dale Hom, Forest Supervisor
USDA                                        Olympic National Forest
P.O. Box 3623                               1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW
Portland, OR 97208                          Olympia, WA 98512

William Laitner, Superintendent
Olympic National Park
600 Park Ave.
Port Angeles, WA 98362

Re: Jefferson/Clallam Chamber Support for the Dosewallips Road Reconstuction

The purpose of this letter is to show that we, the following Chamber of Commerce presidents from Jefferson and Clallam counties, support the reconstruction of the Dosewallips River Road that was washed out in January of 2002.

The Dosewallips River Road has been in existence for over 70 years and has provided access to a national public facility, the campgrounds and trails of the Olympic National Park. Prior to its washout, the annual number of vehicles utilizing this road for access to the park varied from 27,000 to 55,000. These visitors and their support of local area businesses and the businesses of Jefferson and Clallam counties are an important part of the regional economy. The economy of this area has struggled for many years to replace logging and fisheries related industries -- the repair of the Dosewallips River Road is a critical element to the economic future of the neighboring communities.

With this in mind, we wish to register our support for your efforts to re-establish eastern access to the Park, by reconstructing the Dosewallips Road. The residents of Jefferson and Clallam counties and their visitors need access to the park and the trailheads to be restored as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Emmerson, President
Quilcene/Brinnon Chamber of Commerce
(etc)

Homer Smith III, President
Port Ludlow Chamber of Commerce
(etc)

Christina Pivarnik, President
Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce
(etc)

Cammy Brown, President
Port Hadlock/Tri-Area Chamber of Commerce
(etc)

Valerie Fox, President
Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce
(etc)

Mike McAleer, President
Sequim-Dungenness Valley Chamber of Commerce
(etc)

Frank Walter, President
C/O Diane Schostak
Forks Chamber of Commerce
(etc)

Bill Drath, President
Clallum Bay/Sekiu Chamber of Commerce
(etc)

April 5, 2004



United States Forest Service Region 6
Attn: Regional Forester Linda Goodman
333 SW First Ave
Portland, OR 97204



Hood Canal Ranger District
Attn: Dave Craig
PO Box 280
Quilcene, WA 98376



Dear Ms. Goodman:

We are writing to express our strong support for the USFS plans to reopen the Dosewallips River Road. We represent the communities of the three legislative districts which make up coastal western Washington. Many of those communities are small towns like Brinnon that have fragile economies which are dependent on resource industries or tourism. Consequently, we fully recognize the serious damage the closure of the Dosewallips River Road is having on the economy of Brinnon. Tourism coming to the Dosewallips River valley account for between 20,000 and 30,000 visits a year when the road is open.

The Dosewallips River Road is the only entrance to the Olympic National Park campground and trail heads that access two wilderness areas as well as hiking trails in the Olympic National Park. The value of these inaccessible facilities adds up to a considerable investment of taxpayer money which is lying idle. The unused infrastructure is further impacting the community with the loss of eight jobs.

We would also like to point out that the tourists don't instantly materialize at Brinnon. They have to travel through many of our communities to get there. Consequently, the loss of tourist visits to Brinnon has some economic impact on all of the other towns along the eastern edge of the Olympic Peninsula.

Once again, we urge you to expediate reconstruction of the Dosewallips River Road as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Representative Jim Buck        Senator Jim Hargrove
24th Legislative District      24th Legislative District

Representative Lynn Kessler
24th Legislative District

Representative Brian Hatfield  Senator Mark Doumit
19th Legislative District      19th Legislative District

Representative Brian Blake
19th Legislative District

Representative Bill Eickmeyer  Senator Tim Sheldon
35th Legislative District      35th Legislative District

Representative Kathy Haigh
35th Legislative District

cc: Congressman Norm Dicks

December 3, 2003
Linda Goodman, Regional Forest Supervisor   Dale Hom, Forest Supervisor
USDA                                        Olympic National Forest
P.O. Box 3623                               1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW
Portland, OR 97208                          Olympia, WA 98512

Re: Jefferson County Support for Dosewallips Road Repair For 70 years, the Dosewallips Road has provided access to the campgrounds and trails of the Olympic National Park. Prior to the road washout in January 2002, approximately 27,000 people used the Dosewallips Road for annual access to the park. The South County economy has struggled to replace logging and fisheries related industries. The patronage of local businesses by visitors to the Park is very important.

The rebuilding of the Dosewallips Road to return eastern access to the Olympic National Park has been delayed for almost two years. During that time, the number of visitors who have accessed the park from this eastern side has dwindled from tens of thousands to barely a handful. The Muscat Flats trailhead and campground was upgraded for use by the handicapped, and is now inaccessible. Only able-bodied people capable of hiking the remaining five miles of road above the washout now have access.

The repair of the Dosewallips Road is a critical element in south Jefferson County=s economy. If funding of the project is the issue, we are willing to redirect funds. We appreciate you giving your full attention on this matter. Please let us know how we may help in expediting the restoration of this popular park access road.

Sincerely,

Dan Titterness  Glen Huntingford  Patrick M. Rodgers
Chair           Member            Member

cc: Fran Mainella, Director NPS
    Dale Bosworth, Chief of Forest Service
    Senator Patty Murray
    Senator Maria Cantwell
    Representative Norm Dicks
    Dave Craig, Quilcene Park Ranger
    Quilcene/Brinnon Chamber of Commerce

United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Pacific West Region
1111 Jackson Street, Suite 700
Oakland, California 94607-4807

(Stamped FEB 18 2004)

In reply refer to: A3615(PWR-C)

Mr. and Mrs. George Sickel
222 Sickel Loop
Brinnon, Washington 98320

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Sickel:

Thank you for your letter to Senator Maria Cantwell regarding vehicle access to the Dosewallips area of Olympic National Park. The Senator has referred your letter to this office for reply.

You are correct in pointing out that Dosewallips is a popular destination for visitors and area residents and we share your interest in restoring access to the trailhead, campground and facilities there. The U.S. Forest Service is currently working through a variety of options related to the future of the Dosewallips Road. We continue to be in contact with staff from the Olympic National Forest and have expressed our support for reopening the road.

Thank you for your interest in Olympic National Park.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Martha K. Leicester (?)
For
Jonathan B. Jarvis
Regional Director, Pacific West Region

cc:

The Honorable Maria Cantwell
United States Senate
717 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510