ASHFORD, Wash. — The National Park Service and the Washington State Department of Transportation are seeking input from the general on a proposed project to reduce flooding and erosion risks to a section of State Route 410 adjacent to the White River in Mount Rainier National Park.
WSDOT proposes installing two engineered log structures in the White River Floodplain to help prevent the river from shifting into the SR 410 corridor and damaging the roadway. The project area is within designated wilderness adjacent to the highway.
The National Park Service has prepared an environmental assessment to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposal. The analysis considers effects on wilderness character, natural and cultural resources, and visitor experience.
“Providing sustainable public access to and through Mount Rainier National Park is a shared priority. We encourage the public to review the environmental assessment and share input to help inform our decision.” -Superintendent Greg Dudgeon
State Route 410 serves as a key access route to the east side of Mount Rainier National Park, including Sunrise, White River Campground, and several popular trailheads. The roadway runs along the White River, a glacier-fed system that drains the Emmons Glacier. Past flooding events have heavily damaged portions of the highway and continual erosion poses an increasing risk to the corridor.
If approved, construction could begin as early as 2027. The work would take place over approximately three weeks in late summer. Visitors may experience delays of up to 30 minutes during limited helicopter operations, but no road closures are planned.
The public comment period is open through May 29, 2026. Check out the he environmental assessment here. Add your comments on the proposal here.
