Log Cabin Resort Cabin Replacement

The purpose of this EA is to examine the environmental impacts associated with the proposal to construct replacement cabins and a manager's residence and to improve public restroom facilities within Log Cabin Resort at Olympic National Park. The buildings would be constructed near the current footprint of the existing structures within an open lawn area. This EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) (40 CFR §1508.9), and the National Park Service Director's Order (DO)-12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making) (2004).

The purpose of the proposal is to provide a safe, healthy, functional and efficient rental space for guests of Log Cabin Resort consistent with concession goals and objectives for the site as identified in the recently approved (October 1, 2013) 10-year Concession Contract. The proposal is consistent with current plans, including the recent General Management Plan (NPS 2008) and NPS policy.

The project is needed to improve visitor experience, especially accessibility, safety and resource protection by:
• providing a manager's residence that meets current health and safety standards and structural building codes,
• replacing deteriorated guest accommodations with guest accommodations that meet current health and safety standards and structural building codes,
• providing options for accessible guest accommodations,
• providing an accessible restroom with accessible pathways for lodge guests and day use visitors,
• decreasing congestion for both visitors and vehicles,
• resurfacing resort roadway surfaces, and
• providing an accessible route and pathways throughout the site.

The current guest accommodations (rustic cabins) are deteriorated. Most of these were moved to the site from various former resorts around Lake Crescent in the mid-1960s. Many of them contain added exterior water heaters. Inside plumbing, paneling, and ceiling finishes are deteriorated and in poor condition.

In 2012, analysis of the manager's residence resulted in it being demolished, rather than repaired. A cost-benefit analysis of needed life/health/safety repairs found that it would be less expensive to replace it, rather than to rehabilitate it. Because it was not historic, it was removed and the manager was relocated to another former guest cabin (1C).

Currently, rustic cabin guests park in front of the cabins, obstructing views, resulting in safety problems, and limiting the usefulness of the sloping lawn above the lodge for activities.

In addition, a range of other issues have been identified:
• There is no designated employee parking for the resort. Current employee parking occurs where the former manager's residence was located.
• Camper cabin guests currently must walk through one of the campsites (Campsite 5) enroute to the comfort station (restroom/shower).
• Pathways to the amphitheater, docks, and day use area are not accessible.
• Log Cabin/Piedmont Creek has two overhanging banks close to the camper cabins.
• Cabin 5C is very close to a small wetland and could be affecting its hydrologic function.
• The resort needs to be fully open during its regular season (May - September).

Document Content:

2-17-16 Public Review Draft OLYM Log Cabin Resort EA.pdf   (33.1 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.