Group to brainstorm on vision for volcano
Friday, February 29, 2008 5:30 AM PST
By Barbara LaBoe
blaboe@tdn.com
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E-mail this articleOfficials from three counties - including Cowlitz - will gather in Stevenson next month to develop a long-range vision for Mount St. Helens.
The Mount St. Helens Citizens Advisory Committee was formed at the request of U.S. Rep. Brian Baird and Sen. Maria Cantwell. It also is supported by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Norm Dicks. The goal, according to Baird, is to provide federal lawmakers with recommendations about the future of the national volcanic monument - including whether it should be transferred from the U.S. Forest Service to the National Parks Service.
"We need to determine what is our vision for the mountain and then how do we get there," said Cowlitz County Commissioner Axel Swanson, one of 13 committee members. The first meeting, though, likely will be "a lot figuring out who everyone is and then trying to get an idea of how best to move forward," he said.
The committee is made up of government and private representatives from Cowlitz, Lewis and Skamania counties, as well as three at-large members. The Cowlitz County members are: Swanson; Mark Plotkin, director of the county's tourism bureau; Mariah Reese, director of the Lelooska Foundation in Ariel and Mark Smith, owner of the private EcoPark Resort and chairman of the county's planning commission.
"The goal of the advisory committee is to explore the community's vision for the Monument's future," a letter from Baird's office reads. The letter also asks for "an informed recommendation regarding the best course of action for ensuring Mount St. Helens remains a key tourist destination and economic engine for the area while preserving its natural resources and allow it to remain a world leader for scientific research."
The committee grew out of a Mount St. Helens summit Baird hosted in August to discuss a proposal to switch the volcano to the parks system among other issues. Proponents of the parks plan say it guarantees better and more regular federal funding. Opponents say the park system will further restrict access to the area for hunters, hikers and others.
Cowlitz commissioners initially backed the parks plan but later withdrew that support in October, saying there were too many outstanding questions.
Thursday, Swanson said the general consensus he's heard is that residents want the National Parks line-item funding but still want to maintain the access allowed under the National Forest Service. Finding a way to strike that balance - or seeing if its even possible - also will be a topic the committee tackles.
While no set deadline has been determined, Swanson said he expects the committee to meet every other month for roughly a year. The meeting places will alternate each time, to allow for better access, Swanson said.
Swanson said he requested appointment to the committee because his district covers the Cowlitz County portions near the volcano, and he is the commissioner liaison for tourism.
The first meeting is March 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the Rock Creek Community Center in Stevenson. There will be a short public comment period, followed by a discussion and organization of the committee.
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