Changes at Mt Rainier -- road closed Tues, Weds

So with the Congress passing a budget for the next two years what will MRNP have for future excuses?

AFAIK, the only appropriation passed since the passage of the Ryan-Murray budget (which does not appropriate money) has been the defense budget--on its way to the prez.

Haven't heard anything about Interior and Related Agencies, but and email I got from Reichert's office referenced the budget control act (i.e., forget about it).

Next thing up will probably be whether to extend unemployment benefits or not and then Agriculture (ag subsidies and food stamps) because milk is set to jump to $40/gallon or something.

We also face the debt ceiling next month and Republicans said they are looking for a hostage.

From Mr. Obey, NPCA, on the Ryan-Murray budget: "...our parks likely will continue to lack the ability to restore all the rangers they lost to the sequester and other cuts, and closed signs are likely to remain at park facilities—part and parcel of a slow motion shutdown for our national parks that cannot be sustained without irreparable damage," he said. "The imposed sequester cuts left 2,000 fewer rangers to protect and manage park resources, abruptly impacting the visitor experience by closing campgrounds, visitor centers and roads.

What about this statement in the article--

"A budget deal brokered by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, will roll back sequestration cuts to the Park Service budget.
“We’re really happy that most sequester cuts have ended for the fiscal year,” said John Garder, the National Parks Conservation Association’s budget and appropriations legislative representative"

What about this statement in the article--

"A budget deal brokered by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, will roll back sequestration cuts to the Park Service budget.
“We’re really happy that most sequester cuts have ended for the fiscal year,” said John Garder, the National Parks Conservation Association’s budget and appropriations legislative representative"

I believe the statement refers to the sequester cuts for FY14 (Oct 2013-Sept 2014); it does not address any actual appropriation or any other budget cuts (MRNP got 5% for 2013 w/o sequestration and, I think, were anticipating another 5% for FY 14, not counting sequestration--but I could be wrong, I'm not a DOI budget/appropriation analyst).

What I do know, I think, their has been no appropriation bill for the park yet beyond the continuing resolution that will be moot.

To repeat, tho:  the Murray-Ryan budget does not appropriate (provide) any money; it simple sets a cap on appropriations.  Actual authorization for the park to spend money and how much comes thru either a continuing resolution or an appropriation bill.

Obey again:"The budget deal restores most of sequester cuts, but does not guarantee that the congressional appropriations committees will provide the resources the parks need to put needed rangers back in our parks and begin to address the maintenance backlog."

@vogtski,

I agree with you re: Avy conditions--- The official forecast is for "High" near or above treeline. NEAR TREELINE definition:
Near Treeline is the middle of the three elevation bands used in NWAC forecasts. It is a transition zone between dense forests and treeless alpine areas. It is the narrowest of the three elevation bands, extending only a few hundred feet above and below the treeline. It varies locally, and is not a constant elevation or width.

It is CONSIDERABLE below treeline

In addition the, snowpack right now is nil for any large-scale vehicle damaging avy event to take place. I was there yesterday- when they had to open the road -late - because the excuse of the sun being too bright would'nt go over with Randy- and the snow that is laying on the ground below Paradise is pathetic.

Note the semi-stealth opening Sunday.  No tweet, but cars on cam in the lot since mid-morning...

Supposed "high avalanche conditions" was the excuse offered for not opening Friday with 2-3" new and below freezing temperatures.  Transparently BS, since they opened today with a foot of new being rained on.   ??? 

I'm going to bet the closure decision is made much sooner than we realize and based on a forecast of the avy danger. It seems like all the news I heard was for cold snow followed by warming rain. I'd have predicted a high danger, too.

I'm going to bet the closure decision is made much sooner than we realize and based on a forecast of the avy danger. It seems like all the news I heard was for cold snow followed by warming rain. I'd have predicted a high danger, too.

The park has a Decision Matrix for opening the road from Longmire to Paradise:  (1) winter storm warnings or watches?, (2) sufficient staff for conditions?,  (3) avy danger high or extreme?, and (4) any other (high winds, low viz, signs of avy activity)?  Quite logical.  But not at always adhered to.  Note that all of 1-4 can be predicted and, if desired, decisions made and publicized before 5 p.m. (NOAA/NWAC/Rec forecast and NWAC avy forecast) the preceding day with the exceptions of signs of avy activity noticed by plow crews or LEOs, equipment breakdowns, staff calling in sick or oversleeping or taking a "wellness" day, or something like a rockslide/avy/landslide/debris flow overnight.  Of course, the matrix has been publicized and the public can check the weather and avy links.

Last winter and this fall the decision matrix was applied only 5 days/week or at all? given arbitrary Tues-Wed closures.  I was told personally by the Park Supt. last winter that the closures were not due to budgetary problems; they had made a management decision not to fully staff the plow crew (2), no reason given.  This year, the park is claiming budget problems, understaffing, and "good business decisions" (ROI?  ???) to safeguard resources for summer and that we should expect more frequent closures than in the past despite the stated intention to keep the road to Paradise open 7 days/week in the winter with reduced hours (9-5).

One often hears stated desires and informal warnings that the desire is to close the road to Paradise during the week no matter what, but only public pressure keeps it open.