About Us
We are citizens of Clallam and Jefferson counties; local chapters of bicyclists, hikers, equestrians, birders educators and other residents of the Olympic Peninsula. We believe MPSP should be maintained as a unique, tranquil day use state park. This is why we formed Preserve Miller Peninsula State Park Coalition. We believe the public should enjoy this magnificent 3,000-acre park as an area of natural beauty and tranquility. Abundant coastal and cliff wildlife habitats, mature forest ecosystems, wetlands, 35 miles of natural trails, and a biodiversity of plants and animals together comprise this wonderful park. It is a much needed natural carbon sink for the Olympic Peninsula.
Our combined forces are working to convince the WA State Parks & Recreation Department and Commission to abandon its plans to develop the park as a "destination park." Parks’ development plans include a 100-room lodge with dining areas, swimming pool/sauna, 90 RV/tent camping sites, 20 cabins, group camping sites, overlook platforms, paved roads, administration/maintenance buildings, concessions, comfort stations, amphitheater, and recreational facilities, all of which would damage the tranquility of the park and impact the entire area's forests, wetlands, wildlife and aquifer. We believe MPSP should remain in its natural state, developed only for day use and education.
WA State Park Commissioners assert in their strategic guidelines for the next ten years (commissioners@parks.wa.gov) that they intend “...to protect and conserve park ecosystems and habitat for long term sustainability, for the future.” Therefore, Parks must take seriously this huge contradiction with their goals - the destruction of MPSP's forest and coastal environments for the sake of a destination park. Parks asserts that they develop state parks for the use of "all Washingtonians", yet only 17% of state parks are designated for day use only and only 15% allow equestrian use. This distribution does not appear to be equitable in a park system designed for "all Washingtonians."
We disagree with the plans for shoreline access and development at MPSP. This coastal area is an integral part of the ecosystem of the Salish Sea, which includes the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and Protection Island. As visitors to the area, we witness every year the accelerating erosion of the high bank cliffs along this coastline, more frequently effected by king tides and fiercer storms. An established nesting site for peregrine falcons is located less than 30 feet from the proposed new access trail to the beach. Bald eagles build their nests along the cliffs. Marbled Murrelets, tufted puffins, egrets, blue herons, and river otter dens are found along the coastline. This area is a unique and delicate part of the Salish Sea's entire ecosystem.
Groundwater and aquifer sustainability on the peninsula are of great concern in both Clallam and Jefferson Counties. Water usage directly impacts the overall health of the Miller Peninsula ecosystem.The availability of accessible water will only decline with continued development and the acceleration of climate change. Water is a fragile commodity for both humans and natural systems. An over-developed state park will exacerbate water concerns now and into the future. The WA State Department of Ecology has issued new warnings - that continued drought and heat, and the resulting decrease in the availability of water, are here now and will be with us for many years to come.
Fires are a major issue with regards to climate and safety. They pose grave concerns for the area in and around MPSP and across the Olympic Peninsula. Camp fires are a ticking time bomb and pose an unnecessary risk for the entire peninsula and all area residents. They conflict with our efforts to reduce carbon output and keep our air and water clean. In its current state, the intact forest system of MSPS provides a crucial carbon sink for the peninsula.
Traffic issues associated with park development cannot be overstated. The access routes on Diamond Point Road and East Sequim Bay Road are physically limited. The small, winding roads cannot accommodate additional traffic. The impact of large RVs and increase in traffic must be considered by Parks before continuing with development plans. The costs in public tax dollars for traffic alterations on both of these roads should be enough to sink this project!
We believe the optimal uses of MPSP are for day visits and education. MSPS attracts visitors because of its uniqueness. By abandoning the idea to develop MPSP, Parks will adhere to own its stated goals: to address climate change, provide good stewardship within the state park system, protect plants and other wildlife, promote coastal and forest diversity, and allow people to appreciate nature in its true form. Parks should maintain this natural landscape for all Washingtonians, now and into the future.
We have requested, via citizen petition in October, 2022, that WA State Parks include a fourth option along with their current list of three development proposals: Natural Forest Area - Day Use, and Education.
Please join us and continue to speak with fellow citizens, elected state and local officials and Parks planners, Director and Commissioners on this issue!