Mount Rainier National Park seeks input for proposed expansion of lahar detection system

Superintendent Chip Jenkins announced Monday that the public comment period has opened for a proposed expansion of the lahar detection system at Mount Rainier National Park. The United States Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory has proposed changes to the existing volcano monitoring system inside Mount Rainier National Park as part of a broader effort to implement an expanded lahar detection system.

Public input will be accepted during the scoping period from Oct. 5 through Oct. 30 and will assist the National Park Servicein identifying concerns, potential alternatives and suggested mitigations. To submit comments at any point during the open comment period, visit the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website, https://parkplanning.nps.gov/moralahardetection. A virtual public meeting to provide a project overview and answer questions is scheduled for 4:30-5:30 p.m., Oct. 21.

Lahars, or volcanic mudslides, are the primary volcanic hazard with potential to impact people living, working or recreating within or near Mount Rainier National Park, according to a press release.The USGS currently monitors Mount Rainier volcanic activity along with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network using a network of monitoring stations consisting of 13 seismic and six GPS installations located within 12 milesof the summit. The USGS proposal would expand the system to improve overall volcano monitoring and lahar detection capacity and provide more rapid notification to the immediate area and surrounding communities in the event of a volcanic event or mudflow.

For more information, visit Mount Rainier National Park’s park planning site, https://www.nps.gov/mora/getinvolved/planning.htm.