Olympic National Park fees going up

THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, March 22, 2002

PORT ANGELES -- Visitors will have to pay more to get into the Olympic National Park starting next month.

The annual park pass for the Olympic National Park is going up to $30 from $20 on April 8.

The basic entry fee will remain at $10 per vehicle -- good for a week.

The annual pass allows unlimited entry into the park for 12 months. passes are available at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, Heart o'the Hills entrance station, Hoh Visitor Center and the Forks Transit Center.

Passes also may be ordered through the mail by sending a check to National Park Service to Annual Pass Purchase, Olympic National Park, 600 E. Park Ave. Port Angeles, WA 98362.

- HUNTER REPORTS: Hunters who bought tags for deer, elk, black bear or turkey in 2001 must submit hunter reports before they can buy tags for those species this year.

About 75 percent of hunters submitted the mandatory reports by the Jan. 31 deadline which had been set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Fish and Wildlife needs the hunt reports to estimate harvest and hunting activity across the state, said Dave Ware, department game division manager.

Hunters may submit reports at 877-945-3492 or on the Internet at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/.

This year, hunters who report within 10 days of shooting an animal, and unsuccessful hunters who file their reports by Jan. 10, 2003, will be entered in a drawing for one of nine deer or elk special-incentive permits.

- LANDS ADVISORY: State wildlife managers want to establish an advisory committee to help the state Department of Fish and Wildlife manage its lands.

Fish and Wildlife director Jeff Koenings has announced plans to establish a Citizens Advisory Committee to help manage the department's more than 800,000 acres.

The department also manages more than 600 water access sites.

As the state's population grows, fish and wildlife habitat continues to shrink.

But expectations increase on the agency's land for fish and wildlife populations, and sometimes competing expectations for recreation.

The lands are increasingly being depended upon to provide a variety of uses, such as wildlife watching, kayaking, camping, rock climbing and hiking.

Forest practices, livestock grazing, and other activities on department lands also are being proposed or questioned by the public.

For information about the committee, call Mark Quinn at (360) 902-2402.

To apply, send a letter of interest by March 31 to Koenings at 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091. Letters can also be e-mailed at koenijpk@dfw.wa.gov.

- CAMPGROUND HOSTS: Anyone interested in serving as a campground host in the Capitol State Forest this summer should contact the Department of Natural Resources.

Hosts live in the campground from May to September -- including weekends and holidays.

They provide information to visitors about the area and appropriate uses, patrol the campground, assist visitors and assess and report on the area and use.

Hosts also perform minor maintenance at the campgrounds.

To apply for a host position, contact Sarah Thirtyacre at 360-748-2383.

- BASS CLUB GARAGE SALE: The Capital City Bass Club will hold a fund-raising garage sale on Saturday.

On sale will be fishing tackle and other equipment, along with household items.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the club's community and youth projects.

The garage sale begins at 8 a.m. at the Edgelake Mobile Home Park Recreation Hall, 3928 21st Ave. S.E. in Lacey.

For more information, send e-mail to capitcalcitybassclub@hotmail.com

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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