and I wholeheartedly agree that the effort to open and secure that road should continue.

Meanwhile, have there been any thoughts or proposals raised where the NPS might fund improvements to the old WF road as an alternative to the LP land?

Since the road is already owned by the public, it seems to me that it might actually prove to be less expensive in the long run for the NPS to simply construct an improved access point itself rather than attempt to purchase LP's land...

Wouldn't that be a nightmare for LP were this idea to gain traction? LP could potentially be stuck with a piece of expensive, over developed property and stuck without a buyer who has been forced into purchasing their land by questionable legislation:-)