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The Record of Decision for the Olympic National Park General Management Plan is now completed. The General Management Plan provides management direction for cultural and natural resource protection and visitor use at Olympic National Park for the next 15 to 20 years.

By describing specific desirable resource conditions and visitor experiences for the park, the GMP establishes clear goals for resource preservation and visitor use, along with management strategies for achieving those goals. These goals are based on the park's purpose; significance; special mandates; administrative commitments; the body of laws and policies that guide management of the national park system; and the issues and concerns expressed by NPS staff, park visitors, neighbors and the general public.

The Final GMP/EIS identifies and analyzes four alternatives, which respond to the concerns and issues the public voiced during the extensive scoping process, and to NPS conservation planning requirements. These alternatives present varying management strategies for resource protection and preservation, education and interpretation, visitor use and facilities, land protection and boundaries, and long-term operations and management of the park.

The Final GMP/EIS represents nearly seven years of thought, planning, and discussion with park staff, the public, and our partners. Public input was gathered through three formal public comment periods, including public meetings in 2001 and 2002, and during the review of the draft GMP in summer 2006. We sent nearly 1,000 copies of the plan to the public, and held nine public meetings during the review period.

We received approximately 500 comments on the draft plan on a wide variety of topics. Comments are summarized in Volume 2 of the final GMP, and responses to substantive comments are also included.

* indicates the current step in the planning process
Step 1. Project Startup
Step 2. Identify the Planning Context
Step 3. Develop Alternatives
Step 4. Publish Alternatives Newsletter
Step 5. Refine Alternatives
Step 6. Prepare the Draft GMP/EIS
Step 7. Publish the Draft GMP/EIS
Step 8. Public Comment Period on Draft GMP/EIS
Step 9. Review and Analyze Public Comments
Step 10. Revise and Publish Final GMP/EIS
Step 11. Release Final GMP to the Public
Step 12. 30-day No Action Period
Step 13. Publish Record of Decision and Implement the Plan *

Copies of the Record of Decision are available on this site electronically, or hard copies may be obtained by visiting the park headquarters at 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, WA, or by calling 360-565-3008.

Thank you for your participation in this important planning process. We appreciate your concern for the future of Olympic National Park.