HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – The National Park Service has released a draft general management plan, which includes a wilderness study and environmental impact statement, for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

We recently spoke to Danielle Foster, the park’s Environmental Protection Specialist, about the 548-page document that will help guide the management philosophy and act as a framework for decision making at the park.

The National Park Service announced the availability of the draft on April 30th.

General management plans are intended to be long-term documents that establish and articulate a management philosophy and framework for decision making and problem solving in our national parks. In the 548-page document, three alternatives for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park are presented for review. Each alternative offers a different approach to protecting and managing park resources, using facilities, and providing a range of access and visitor experiences to meet the needs of local residents, off-island visitors, and students of all ages. These alternatives were developed with the intent to include and celebrate Native Hawaiian values such as mālama ʻāina (nourishing and taking care of the land) and kuleana (responsibility).

These alternatives are the result of five years of public scoping and comment, interdisciplinary research, field assessments, stakeholder discussions, and Native Hawaiian consultation and are based upon the park’s purpose and significance, issues that need to be addressed, legal mandates, and public comments provided on the preliminary alternatives.

We encourage everyone to give these alternatives serious consideration, take the time to comment, and continue to stay involved to help your national park determine how this national and international treasure will be protected and managed over the next 20 years.National Park Service

You can review the documents and provide comments online, be going to parkplanning.nps.gov/havogmp. The park plans to host a talk story session at the Kīlauea Visitor Center on June 10, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to answer questions and take comments. In addition, a formal wilderness hearing will be held during this meeting to receive comments specific to the wilderness study. Comments can also be mailed to Superintendent, Attn: DGMP/WS/EIS, PO Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052. The public comment period will remain open through June 30, 2015.