Here is the announcement from the park:

The National Park Service has prepared an Environmental Assessment to analyze potential impacts and benefits of proposed alternatives intended to rehabilitate the Camp Muir Historic District, which is located in Mount Rainier National Park. The Environmental Assessment evaluates four alternatives including a no action alternative, and three action alternatives in which historic structures would be retained, and non-historic structures would be replaced or removed. The functions of structures would be optimized to improve visitor and employee safety while protecting natural resources, adjacent Wilderness, and the National Historic Landmark District.

Three public meetings are planned, one in Seattle at REI on August 1; at Mount Rainier National Park Headquarters, 55210 238th Avenue E. (Tahoma Woods Education Center) on August 9; and at the Tacoma Mountaineers Clubhouse on Aug. 6.   Meetings will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Details are listed at the website below.

If you wish to comment on this EA, you may post comments online using the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/muirea or mail comments to:
Superintendent, Mount Rainier National Park, 55210 238th Ave. E., Ashford, Washington, 98304. Please provide comments no later than September 10, 2012.

The course is loaded with practical information, hands-on education, introduction to kayak gear and an emphasis on paddling safety, said a news release. Participants will learn the basic paddling strokes, how to get back in your boat if you go over, basic trip planning and navigation and how to recognize and avoid dangerous situations.

No prior kayaking knowledge or experience is required to participate in this course.

The course consists of one classroom session, one pool session, two open water sessions and two kayak paddles. The cost is $199 for Mountaineers members and $249 for non-members. Rental kayaks and gear are available for an additional fee.

For information, contact Beth Owen at 253-514-1865 or drbethowen@yahoo.com.

After a delay of several months, the Tacoma Mountaineers have received the building permit and are proceeding with the group’s clubhouse in Old Town.

Branch president Geoff Lawrence said the group received the permit Friday and work has already started on the site preparation and hazardous material remediation.

The Mountaineers are going to add a second floor to their clubhouse, at 2302 N. 30th St., Tacoma. The group is moving forward with the $1.25 million renovation to create the South Sound Program Center. Not only will it house Tacoma Mountaineers operations and programs, the group will also make it available to other conservation groups in the area.

The original plan was to begin construction in October and have the building ready for the Tacoma Mountaineers’ 100th anniversary in March. Lawrence said the original estimate was for the work to take six months, but he hopes that can be shortened some since they’ll be working into better weather.

The general contractor is Merit Construction Northwest and the architect is Amy DeDominicis.

A ceremonial groundbreaking, including some local dignitaries and others, will be held at 3 p.m. Feb. 8.

The kiosk will be named in honor of Stan Engle, who led the fundraising effort for the structure as the Foothills Trail Coalition’s treasurer for more than 15 years.  Engle, also a member of the Tacoma Mountaineers and the Audubon Society, died in 2009 at the age of 87.  The structure, which displays a map of the 15-mile Foothills Trail and other information, will be named the Stan Engle Orting Kiosk.