Public comment sought for Carbon River Corridor plan

What should the future of the area look like?

By Alex Bruell • September 21, 2021 9:30 am
Crossing the Carbon River requires a bit of balance.
Crossing the Carbon River requires a bit of balance.

Pierce County wants the public to weigh in on the future of recreation and preservation in the Carbon River Corridor, a natural area about 20 miles long along the Carbon River which includes Wilkeson, Carbonado and the river up to Mount Rainier National Park.

The Draft Carbon River Corridor Cooperative Action Plan (CAP) identifies recreational demand, property development and illegal activity as three growing forces each exerting pressure on the future of the area’s resources.

The plan will guide development and services in the area for the next decade.

You have until October 1 to view or comment on the plan, available at https://carbonrivercap.participate.online. Those unable to submit comments through the online open house may email them to Tiffany.Odell@piercecountywa.gov, or mail them to Tiffany Odell, Pierce County Parks, Environmental Services Building, 9850 – 64th St. W, University Place, WA 98467.

There will also be hard copies of the CAP available at Buckley Library and Wilkeson City Hall, according to Pierce County.

The CAP identifies the following areas of interest and concern:

• Addressing vandalism, trespassing, dumping, illegal shooting and irresponsible camping

• Expanding visitor services and information

• Improving parking, roads, signage, cell service and public restrooms

• Addressing ideas for new recreational or infrastructure projects, like hiking, biking and ATV trails and campgrounds.

• Conserving the natural and historic resources of the region

There are many projects proposed in the plan, which covers the next 10 years, including:

• Expanding the Foothills Trail from Wilkeson to the Mount Rainer National Park Carbon River Entrance.

• Building a pedestrian bridge over the Carbon River

• Developing more day use resources at Coke Oven Park in Wilkeson.

• Establishing a visitor contact center in Wilkeson

• Building an online service to allow virtually viewing conditions at the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park from home

• Identifying sites for management and preservation of historic or wildlife migration zones

This more detailed diagram, provided by Pierce County, shows the planning area covered by the Carbon River Corridor Cooperative Action Plan. It stretches from the towns of Wilkeson and Carbonado all the way to the Carbon River entrance of the Mount Rainer National Park.

This more detailed diagram, provided by Pierce County, shows the planning area covered by the Carbon River Corridor Cooperative Action Plan. It stretches from the towns of Wilkeson and Carbonado all the way to the Carbon River entrance of the Mount Rainer National Park.

This simplified diagram, provided by Pierce County, shows the planning area covered by the Carbon River Corridor Cooperative Action Plan. It stretches from the towns of Wilkeson and Carbonado all the way to the Carbon River entrance of the Mount Rainer National Park.

This simplified diagram, provided by Pierce County, shows the planning area covered by the Carbon River Corridor Cooperative Action Plan. It stretches from the towns of Wilkeson and Carbonado all the way to the Carbon River entrance of the Mount Rainer National Park.