tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160361172851099.post-33837283350656772342007-12-17T08:43:00.000-08:002007-12-17T12:12:58.826-08:00A couple of weeks ago, as Northwest residents and others around the nation watched I-5 near Chehalis becaome a roadway for canoes and rowboats other flood areas were largley ignored. Not to make the tragedy that befell the residents in Southwest Washington, but a little further north, on the Olympic Peninsula, damaged roads will hinder our ability to access this beautiful and remote land.<br /><br />As the Chehalis river filled and overflowed it banks, so did the Skokomish, the Elwha, and the Hoh rivers as well as their tributary streams. When rivers run free of their banks, devastation usually follows. The Olympic Peninsula was not spared. According to the forest service website, hundreds of acres of forest land have been damaged as well as several roads, bridges and facilities. Assessment of the damage will continue through February and repairs may take up to a year. Progress is slow for every time they clear a landslide, they find another.<br /><br />Olympic National Park faired no better. The popular Hurricane Ridge road is closed due to shoulder damage - from lessons learned from last year's storm and Mt Rainier, a road may appear drivable but the shoulder may be undercut. Also closed because of the storm are the Heart o' the Hills campground, the Sol Duc road, the Hoh road and the Quinault roads.<br /><br />Again, the call for volunteers goes out to the northwest. Such a great response was made last year to get Mt Rainier re-opened, that we hope this year will also see people pitching in for public lands.<br /><br />If you're looking for someway to help check out the WTA (<a href="http://www.wta.org/">www.wta.org</a>), the SCA (<a href="http://www.thesca.org/">www.thesca.org</a>), or NWIA (<a href="http://www.nwpubliclands.org/">www.nwpubliclands.org</a>).NW Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16573063684574636728noreply@blogger.com