House OKs big expansion of Mount Rainier boundary

[icymist]

Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - Page updated at 12:30 A.M.

House OKs big expansion of Mount Rainier boundary

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives yesterday approved a plan to add about 800 acres to Mount Rainier National Park.
The boundary change, approved on a voice vote, would be the largest expansion of the nearly 236,000-acre park in more than 70 years. Supporters say it would improve park access by shifting visitors away from frequently flooded roads near the Carbon River.

The plan also would allow a new camping area to be built, save federal money spent on road repairs and protect a pristine area from development, supporters said.

The land along the park's northwestern border is owned by two families and Plum Creek Timber. All have said they are willing to sell their land. The total cost is estimated at $6 million.

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[Vogon_Glory]

1. Good Idea

Good idea, that. The short-term conservation angle aside, I think that allowing development to get closer to a restless sleeper of a volcano like Mount Rainier is inviting disaster.

[icymist]

2. Not necessarily.

I don't believe that Mount Rainier will 'blow' for some time yet. There is no reasn to scare people from this area.