The National Park Service (NPS) is represented by an emblem of an arrowhead. On the arrowhead, a bison is depicted grazing beneath a Sequoia tree. In the background, a lake rests at the base of a snow-capped mountain. Together, the symbols on this emblem represent the aspects of our natural surroundings the park service strives to protect: vegetation, wildlife, scenic and recreational values, and historical and archaeological values.

Mount Rainier, the national park in our own backyard, encompasses all of these aspects, and after the longest closure in the park's history, it is scheduled to reopen May 5 so visitors can enjoy the abundance of outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.

Last November, Mount Rainier National Park received 18 inches of rainfall in the course of 36 hours, damaging the park to the worst extent in its 108-year history.

Following the winter storm, Mount Rainier closed for the repairs that are still underway.

"Every road, every campground, every trail throughout the park was damaged to some extent," Dave Uberuaga told the Washington Post. "Facilities that had not been damaged in their whole history were wiped out."

Even now, as the winter snows begin to melt, more damage is being discovered, or perhaps more accurately, the true extent of the damage is being realized: damage to roads, trails, campgrounds and buildings that totals to $36 million.

Thanks to government funding and a fundraising campaign, flood damage did not hurt Mount Rainier financially as much as it impacted local businesses dependant upon the regular tourist industry.

Congressmember Norm Dicks (D-WA) lobbied the U.S. Congress for money on behalf of Mount Rainier, and $23 million in repairs were eligible for funding through the Emergency Relief for the Federally Owned Roads fund.

The bigger impact of the floods was on the surrounding economy. Hospitality-based businesses in small towns on the road to Paradise, like Eatonville, Elbe and Ashford, rely largely upon tourists for business. These restaurants, resorts and other such establishments were already anticipating a slower-than normal season due to ongoing repairs at the Paradise Inn. The park's closure has been devastating for all parts of the local economy reliant on tourists.

Things are looking up for Mount Rainier and the surrounding economy now. The park will reopen the Nisqually Road to Paradise this Saturday at 9:15 a.m. after remarks from Dicks. Park staff will be available to answer questions, and visitors are invited to pitch in with volunteer crews working around Longmire and view a special flood program at the Jackson Visitor Center at 1 p.m., according to a press release.

Another plus for Mount Rainier comes in the form of President Bush's budget proposal, which, for the first time in at least seven years, would be a significant increase in the park's operating budget. Of the proposed $2.36 billion for the entire NPS, Mount Rainier would see an additional $1.2 million in funding for development. This would allow for the park to hire new employees and implement new programs. Pretty significant for a park whose budget has only increased by about $1.5 million during the last seven years, an increase that has not even covered regular operating expenses.

Visitors to Mount Rainier should keep in mind that, while the park is reopening, not all flood damage has been repaired yet, or even discovered. The Stevens Canyon Road that connects Paradise to recreational areas on the east side of the park is significantly damaged and is not passable, pending assessment by the Federal Highways Administration.

Additionally, parts of the ever-popular Wonderland Trail that encircles the entire mountain are impassable this year, forcing park officials to urge visitors to put off the 93-mile loop for a later season.

Mount Rainier and surrounding businesses need Washington's support as they continue the recovery process from the November flood. Turning out this weekend or this season to view the park's lush vegetation and abundant wildlife is the best way to help.

Reach columnist Amy Korst at opinion@thedaily.washington.edu.