Olympic National Park

The population of the invasive barred owl (Strix varia, LC) is rapidly increasing in Olympic National Park generating high concern for its impact on the federally threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina, NT). The northern spotted owl population is rapidly decreasing, and local extinction rates have been reported since the 1990s. The competition between these two owls is considered the primary cause of its decline (McCaffery et al. 2018). The current management of invasive barred owls (Strix varia) in Olympic National Park is part of the "Final Barred Owl Management Strategy" (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2024). The strategy aims to protect the threatened northern spotted owl by reducing competition with barred owls, including controlled removal and ongoing monitoring.

The introduced population of mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus, LC) in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest increased through the years and caused ecological concern for their impact on the sensitive vegetation communities in the area (National Park Service 1995). In 2010, safety concerns increased when a visitor hiker was fatally gored in Olympic National Park (Tsong, 2010). The protection and preservation of the integrity of the International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site designations was included in the objectives for the management of mountain goats on the Olympic Peninsula (National Park Service, 2018a). In 2018, 725 mountain goats were estimated to occupy the Olympic Mountains. In 2018 the Final Mountain Goat Management Plan/Environmental Impact Assessment was released, expressing the goal of reducing or eliminating the impact of exotic mountain goats on park resource while reducing potential public safety issues associated with the presence of the mountain goats in the park (National Park Service, 2018a). The goal was to reach a zero-population level or at least to remove 90% of the population with a combination of capture and translocation and lethal removal (National Park Service, 2018a). During the execution of the project, a total of 325 mountain goats were translocated to the nearby Cascade Mountains where the goats are native (Happe and Harris, 2018; National Park Service, 2018a, 2020a). Nearly all translocated mountain goats died within five years, while native populations in the North Cascades also declined at an alarming rate. Experts remain uncertain about the exact cause but propose several possible factors, including recreation, habitat loss, climate change, disease, and predation (Van Sistine, 2024). By 2022, Olympic National Park concluded its five-year project. A total of 548 mountain goats were removed from both the park and the adjacent Olympic National Forest. The park is now in a 15-year maintenance phase designed to prevent the reestablishment of a goat population. During this phase, park staff will monitor the area and, when necessary, lethally remove any remaining goats (OPA, 2022). Since the goal of removing at least 90% of the population was not achieved, the current impact of the remaining 24.4% (aprox. 177 mountain goats) is still unknown.

Many fir trees (Abies spp) have died in Olympic National Park due to the infestation of balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae), an invasive European insect that is widespread in the park and was detected around 1970 (McCaffey et al. 2018). Invasive plant species in waterways and lakes in Olympic National Park are impacting the ability of endangered fish species to reproduce successfully (Northwest Treaty Tribe, 2018). Invasive plant species in Lake Ozette are clogging up the gravels used by Lake Ozette sockeye to spawn. The following are considered the worst invasive plant species in the Olympics: Scot’s broom (Cytisus scoparius), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor), English ivy (Hedera helix), English Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), information about each one can be found online (National Park Service, 2020d). The park has increased staffing for treatment of invasive plants and enhanced coordination between working groups within the park, and collaboration with partners including tribes, counties, other federal agencies, and visitors (Olson et. al, 1991; Frey and App, 2013; National Park Service, 2012; Mason County Noxious Weed Control Board 2017; National Park Service, 2020d). However, at present the park’s resources are not adequate to treat all known occurrences of invasive, exotic plants (National Park Service, 2010).

Intensive commercial and recreational harvest outside the park influence the number of adult salmonids that return to the park. Commercial gill-net fisheries exist at river mouths most weeks of the year and sport anglers come from around the world to fish in the park. Salmon destined for the park are also harvested in commercial and sport fisheries in the ocean from Alaska to California, including Canada. Additionally, hatchery fish pose threats to wild fish populations in the park. Federal, state, and tribal hatcheries annually release millions of hatchery fish in portions of rivers located outside park boundaries. The relatively conservative fisheries management regulations implemented by the park are not enough to minimize impacts to park resources (National Parks and Conservation Association 2004, National Park Service, 2010; McCaffery et al., 2018). Seasonal recreational fisheries closures have been implemented in the Hoh and South Fork Hoh Rivers due to concerns about the status, trends, and escapement of Hoh River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha).

Olympic National Park has implemented several closures to maximize the protection of wild spring/summer Chinook salmon and Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (National Park Service, 2015, Sequim Gazelle, 2019; Olympic National Park, 2022; National Park Service, 2022; 2024d). Endemic fishing species are currently compromised (State Party of United States of America, 2024).

The activity most relevant to this category of threat is illegal harvest inside the park of shrubs, ferns, and mosses for the floral trade (Hutten et al., 2005). This harvesting is sporadic and localized; park law enforcement staff are aware of the problem and work to identify and respond to incidents, though staff reductions impede management response to this threat (National Parks Conservation Association, 2015). There is a strong demand from the European floral trade for temperate rainforest plants, known as "specialized forest products”, which have increased through shadowy illegal operations, with illegal traffickers that are armed and dangerous” (Bleakney, 2012). The current state of this threat is unknown.

Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) are protected in their natural habitat in Olympic National Park. Nevertheless, there is concern about illegal poaching incidents. In one incident in 2010 the poacher of a trophy bull was identified and fined (Burgess, 2010). In 2019 only the carcass of a cow Roosevelt elk with no meat harvested was found on Upper Hoh Road in Olympic National Park (National Park Service, 2019b). Illegal poaching of Roosevelt elk occurs not only in the Olympic National Park, but also on the west side of the North Olympic Peninsula (Ollikainen, 2019).

The perception of Olympic National Park as a place with excellent air quality, has proven to be wrong after extensive monitoring and research (McCaffery et al. 2018). The National Park Service monitors air pollution and works to improve air quality throughout the park (National Park Service, 2024h). In the 2014 periodic report, air pollution for this site was considered one of the negative factors affecting the park, nevertheless no management actions applied because this was caused from outside sources and although it was widespread, its impact was considered minor (State Party of United States of America, 2014). The 2024 periodic report describes increased on-site actions by the National Park Service, including air quality monitoring in select areas. The park currently operates two continuous air monitoring sites, with data being downloaded bi-weekly to assess environmental conditions (State Party of United States of America, 2024).

Natural visual range reduction in the park due to pollution caused mainly from power plants and urban emissions, affects visitor experience (National Park Service, 2024h, McCaffery et al. 2018). The concentration of mercury in fish from contaminated lakes in Olympic National Park exceed safe consumption threshold for humans and wildlife and is affecting fish population health (Landers et al. 2008, Eagles-Smith et al. 2014, McCaffery et al. 2018, National Park Service, 2024h; 2022; 2024e). An advisory for recreational and subsistence fish consumption remains in effect for Olympic NP’s mountain lakes (brook trout) and Lake Ozette (largemouth bass, yellow perch and northern pikeminnow) (National Park Service, 2024h; 2022; 2024f). Dragonfly larvae sampled in the park revealed mercury concentrations at moderate to high impairment levels. Additionally, studies identified mercury and other contaminants across various park environments, including snow, sediment, vegetation, and fish, highlighting the widespread presence of pollutants (National Park Service, 2024h).

Noise pollution concern has increased due to the sounds produced by military aircraft over the Olympic Peninsula. Kuehne et al. (2020) found that 88% of audible air traffic is military and discussed how it can impact people and wildlife in the park and the region.

Increased visitation and crowding in certain areas of the park's frontcountry and backcountry, although potentially a low to moderate threat at this time, is considered as an identifiable concern for monitoring (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Visitor use has the potential for impacts on park resources, wilderness character, and visitor experiences, and although concrete data is lacking, this threat can be identified as contributing to deleterious conditions of a parks natural and cultural resource values (IUCN Consultation, 2020). In 2023, Olympic National Park hosted 2.9 million recreational visitors, an increase of half a million compared to 2022, making it the 10th most visited national park in the USA. This rise in visitation occurred despite the loss of one of its most popular sites, the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge, a two-story, 12,200-square-foot structure built in 1952 (National Park Service 2024a). On May 7, 2023, a fire completely destroyed the lodge, but the specific cause of the fire could not be determined (National Park Service 2024g).

A case study on climate change adaptation was carried out at Olympic National Forest (ONF), in collaboration with Olympic National Park (ONP), to explore strategies for adapting federal land management on Washington's Olympic Peninsula to the impacts of climate change. The process developed adaptation options for both ONF and ONP, with many of the ideas applicable to other locations and agencies (Halofsky et al., 2011).
Glacier retreat, disappearance and thinning has already been documented in Olympic National Park. Through a glacier inventory in the park it was reported that from 266 glaciers existing in 1982, only 184 were still observed in 2009 (National Park Service, 2019a). Anderson Glacier was essentially gone by 2015. Its receding progression was reported to less than 10% between 1927 and 2009 (National Park Service, 2019a). Climate modelling projections suggest that most glaciers of the Olympic mountains could disappear by 2070 (Fountain et al., 2022). Glaciers are currently seriously compromised (State Party of United States of America, 2024). Increasingly extreme flooding due to climate change is causing acute threats to park infrastructure, especially roads and culverts, and increases erosion well beyond traditional weather events. KCPQ, a television station in Seattle reported a flood damage event that resulted in partial closing of Olympic National Park (Q13 Fox, 2018).
Rising temperatures from climate change impacts are causing an increase in wild land fire scale and intensity, as well as an increase in insect infestations for native trees, with increased mortality from both causes (McCaffery et al. 2018).

The Olympic marmot (Marmota Olympus, LC) was listed as the only state endemic mammal in 2009 (Washington State Legislature, 2009). Most of its habitat is within Olympic National Park. A historical decline in its distribution and an ongoing decline in the southwestern area of the park was confirmed, generating high conservation concern for this endemic marmot population (McCaffery et al., 2018). Direct and indirect impacts of climate change are listed as the main causes of concern for this species long-term survival (McCaffery et al., 2018; State Party of United States of America, 2024).

Potential effects of climate change on vegetation on federal lands on the Olympic Peninsula have been described by Aubry et al. (2011) and Halofsky et al. (2011). Climate change is expected to result in altered geographic ranges of dominant plant species, increases in the probability of establishment of regeneration failures, and increased drought stress leading to decreased growth of forests. Habitats most at risk include wetlands, alpine and subalpine areas, temperate rainforests with Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), and high-elevation forests dominated by Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), and Alaska yellow-cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis). Wershow and DeChaine (2018) projected that only a few isolated thermal refugia for the survival of endemic alpine plant species will remain in the Olympic Peninsula due to the negative impact of climate change. Based on their projections, the authors proposed management measures such as limiting impacts from hikers on the thermal refugial areas. Wershow and DeChaine (2018) also highlight the importance of The Olympic Mountains and their alpine species, since they serve as a global model for endemics, illustrating biogeographic traits that contribute to their susceptibility to climate change. Endemic alpine species are currently seriously compromised (State Party of United States of America, 2024). Loss of alpine and subalpine habitat could lead to extinction of Olympic marmots (Marmota olympus, LC) listed as the only state endemic mammal in 2009 and Olympic Masama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama melanops, LC) listed as federally threatened in 2014 (Washington State Legislature, 2009; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2019; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2020; Murphy-Williams, M., 2020). Loss of subalpine habitat will also lead to diminished forage available for Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti), North American black bear (Ursus americanus), Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), subalpine birds, small animals and numerous other species (Halofsky et al. 2011). Olympic National Park resource managers monitor the potential impact of ocean acidification, water temperatures, and other environmental variables on coastal organisms (National Park Service, 2020c). There is an increasing interest in the negative impact of ocean acidification on marine species sensitive to changes in carbonate chemistry. Jones et al. (2018) found that most of the intertidal taxa at Olympic National Park are at risk from ocean acidification and they proposed new methodological approaches for research and management related to ocean acidification. Olympic National Park has been monitoring intertidal ocean acidification since 2010 (National Park Service, 2020b). The park has developed some capacity to identify which potential consequences of climate change are occurring most rapidly through the development of long-term monitoring with other NPS units in western Washington (National Park Service, 2020g). Effective responses will require reevaluation of agency policy, increased collaboration with other agencies and an increase in staff and funding. Other climate change impacts include tsunami risk, unusual tidal events including erosion of beach/coastal line, heat domes (State Party of United States of America, 2024).