Present

Committee Members: Skamania County Commissioner Paul Pearce, Lewis County Commissioner Lee Grose, Cowlitz County Commissioner Axel Swanson, Mark Plotkin, Tourism Director of Cowlitz County Tourism Bureau, Maree Lerceh, Executive Director, Destination Packwood, Mark Smith Owner/Operator, Eco Park Resort, Nancy Parkes, Professor, Evergreen State College, Jim Sedell, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Absent: Peggy Bryan, Skamania County Economic Development Council, Jim Waters, Owner Carson Ridge B & B, Debbie Waters, Owner Carson Ridge B & B, Mariah Reese, Director, Lelooska Foundation and Mary Kay Nelson, Executive Director, Visit

Rainier.

Welcome and Introduction

Paul Pearce, Committee Chair welcomed and introduced committee members, and a variety of representatives from the public. The committee consists of 14 members.

Formation and Goal of the Advisory Committee

The Mount St. Helen’s Citizen Advisory Committee was formed at the behest of U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Representatives Brian Baird and Norm Dicks. Commissioner Pearce read a letter to the group from Congressman Brian Baird identifying the goal of the advisory committee to explore the community’s vision for the future of the Mt. St Helen’s Monument and make a recommendation regarding the best course of action for ensuring that Mount St. Helens remains a key tourist destination and economic engine for the area while preserving its natural resources and allowing it to remain a world leader for scientific research. It is the intent of the advisory committee to be independent and not debate over management of the area.

Advisory Committee Discussion

The committee discussed what gateway communities may want for the future of the Monument area. Several topics were identified, recreation, tourism, economic development, science/conservation, commercial industry, infrastructure and the future of St. Helens if it were a National Park.

Public Comment

The public was asked by the advisory committee to comment. Mr. Ed Barnes of 4009 NE 50^th Avenue, Vancouver, WA stated that hunting would be destroyed by development and presented the committee with a list of questions pertaining to formation of the committee. Shawn Smith, Northwest Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association suggested five areas for the committee to investigate:

1. History of park creation at Kenai Fjords, Grand Teton and Mojave and its social and economic impact upon nearby communities such as Seward, Alaska, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Baker California.

2. Economic benefits of national parks on surrounding gateway communities in general

3. Visitation impacts when a national monument is elevated to a national park.

4. Appropriations history and current monument funding mechanisms, and compare to similar national park units.

5. Compare a current accounting of recreational use at the monument with one from a similar national park units.

Bruce Barnes of Mt. St. Helen’s Rescue questioned the format of meetings, commented that no user groups are involved and that he is missing work to attend meetings and would like to see them held in the evening. Dave Seesholtz, retired U.S. Forest Service presented the following recommendations:

1. Request an audit by the General Accounting Office to compare accurate information on the funding situation for the Monument compared to funding provided by the park service at Mt. Lassen

2. Don’t jump to conclusions because of pressure from special interest groups. Start the process with scoping to determine accurately the magnitude of issues, concerns and opportunities.

3. Focus on the recreation and educational experience being provided visitors to the monument

4. Convert the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center to a service center that includes, food service, sanitation facilities, Forest Service information, gifts, etc.

5. Governor should be requested to elevate the importance of Mt. St. Helens in it’s marketing campaign.

Jim Anderson and Gary Coleman represented Backcountry Horseman and stated they wish to continue to partner with the Forest Service.

Advisory Committee Discussion:

After discussion the committee decided to set six fact finding meetings after which the committee will formulate a recommendation for congress.

The meetings will be held the fourth Thursday of every month from 5:30 – 9:30 pm. The following is a schedule of the six meetings and the topic to be discussed:

April 24, 2008 will be held in Kelso at the Courthouse, 207 4^th Ave., Kelso, WA. This meeting will focus on recreation.

May 22, 2008 will also be held in Kelso at the Courthouse and will focus on the tourism industry.

June 26, 2008 will be held at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis, WA and Science and Conservation will be explored.

July 24, 2008 will be held in Kelso at the Courthouse and commercial industry will be discussed.

August 21, 2008 will be in held in Kelso at the Courthouse and infrastructure will be discussed.

September 25, 2008 will be held in Stevenson, WA at Rock Creek Center and there will be discussion on “what if St. Helen’s were a National Park.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.