There’s an opportunity to take a step in the forward direction this winter in the effort for increased access to Hurricane Ridge. If we can raise $48,860 by November 23, 2014, we can get the road open an additional day: Thursday through Sunday.

We’ve been working hard since we launched the petition in Feb 2014, and this opportunity comes through a cooperative effort with Olympic National Park. As you may recall, we had our first meeting with Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum on March 10, 2014 after gathering over 1,000 signatures in less than a month. During this meeting and subsequent meetings, we’ve engaged in a constructive dialogue with park officials about the importance and challenges of opening the road additional days. Olympic Natl Park’s operating budget is tighter than ever. Winter road access is resource intensive, and expensive. But it’s also vitally important to the local community, regional community, and mountain community.

Seven day winter access is the direction we’re heading. This winter is the first step, and community fundraising will get us on the path, but it won’t be possible without your help. We don’t have a lot of time, but we do have a solid base of supporters. If you care about Hurricane Ridge, if you care about access to the mountains, and if care about economic development on the Olympic Peninsula, please donate to this effort:

razoo.com/story/accesstheridge

Where does this money go? Olympic National Park. This money covers the cost of additional staffing requirements for 4 day access, as well as an additional day of maintenance costs. We’ve partnered with Washington’s National Park Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit. Donations go into an account specifically for this cause, and upon reaching our goal this money is transferred to Olympic National Park.

Donations are tax deductible.

Breakdown:

$22,400 for an additional seasonal maintenance position
$13,400 for an additional seasonal ranger position
$9,540 in additional maintenance costs (sand, tires, chains)
$3,520 in fuel

What if we don’t reach our goal? We’re going to do everything we can to make this happen for the 2014-15 winter season. If we come up short, funds will be held for the 2015-16 winter season. This money is earmarked for increased winter access to Hurricane Ridge and nothing else.

How is this different from the trial period? This effort is different in a number of ways. First, this is not a trial period, and instead a partnership. Rather than success or failure being measured on visitor metrics, the simple premise of this partnership is that if HRWAC can close the gap in the park’s projected budget for 4 day winter access, Olympic National Park will hire the necessary personnel open the road an additional day. The Hurricane Ridge Winter Access Coalition was formed in January 2014, and will continue to play an important role in advocating on behalf of the community. So far the coalition has been very successful in both gathering support, and engaging with park officials.

For more information see the Fundraising FAQ: accesstheridge.org/fundraising-faq

Hurricane Ridge Winter Access Coalition
accesstheridge.org
facebook.com/accesstheridge