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For Immediate Release
June 2, 2004
NATIONAL PARK INFO CENTER IN FORKS
OPEN 7 DAYS THIS SEASON
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following up on his recent visit and briefing at Olympic National Park, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks has learned that the summer hours of the park’s Forks information center will be expanded from 5 days to 7 days per week.
The congressman, who serves as the ranking Democratic member of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, spoke with the National Park Service (NPS) Director Wednesday, who confirmed the change in visitor service hours at the park. Rep. Dicks said NPS Director Fran Mainella called him this morning to announce the move, stating that she agreed with the need to serve visitors every day throughout the summer season.
Rep. Dicks said “Director Mainella was responding to the concerns that we brought to her about the reductions in visitor services at Olympic and other important national parks around the country. When I toured Olympic last month with members of the National Parks and Conservation Association, this was among the improvements we suggested.”
The congressman said that Mayor Nedra Reed from Forks urged him and Olympic N.P. Superintendent Bill Laitner to find a way to provide continuous coverage for the Forks Center because of its importance for seasonal visitors and because of its economic impact to the community. Rep. Dicks noted that the individual park budgets – including Olympic – did not always reflect the increases provided by Congress, and that there is strong sentiment among legislators for improving visitor services and reducing the maintenance backlog that exists.
“I am very pleased that Director Mainella responded quickly to these important concerns by approving additional funding for Olympic this year,” he said. He noted that Congress is working with the Park Service to address longer term funding priorities and service improvements at the hundreds of U.S. National Parks, monuments, recreation areas, and historic sites.
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