I am urging all who regularly use state Highway 112 to take action to stop Forest Practices Application 2617656.
This Rayonier proposal to log almost 100 acres between Twin Rivers and Deep Creek will impact the road, the creeks and the Strait.
Year after year this area has road-closing slides that are expensive and difficult to repair.
Several years ago I was part of a group who walked the shore from Pillar Point to West Twin River.
From that vantage point one could see the steep hillsides when not confined to looking out a car window.
We also saw massive rock and tree debris as well as large chunks of road asphalt.
The entire Sumas Pass area is steep and unstable.
I fear that the state Department of Transportation will, at some point, just refuse to do the necessary repairs, leaving U.S. 101 as the only access.
The closure of Highway 112 has a major impact on residents from Neah Bay to Pysht.
But it also affects those who live in Port Angeles or Sequim and work on the West End; it affects postal service deliveries; it affects deliveries of food and gasoline; it affects those who fish, surf and sightsee out here.
It is in the Peninsula’s interest to keep Highway 112 open.
The comment period on this application ends Monday and should be sent to Department of Natural Resources.
DOT also has an obligation to, and vested interest in, preserving the integrity of Highway 112.
Comments can be made to the Olympic Region.
Janeen Porter
Pysht