Interpretation
The purpose of this division is to determine, assemble, and present the facts about the park and its resources so as to guide the protecting of park resources and to enrich visitor experience and knowledge.
Because the primary significance of the Park is Crater Lake and the story of its creation, the major responsibility and function of the division is the gathering and dissemination of geological information . . . .
Maintenance and Operation of Physical Facilities
The purpose of this division is to operate and maintain the physical plant in a manner contributing to the efficient functioning of the park staff, to the welfare of the visitors, and for the preservation of the park resources.
The entire maintenance operation at Crater Lake National Park is carried out from the headquarters area in Munson Valley. . . . [81]
As a means of streamlining park administration in the late 1960s the National Park Service established various group offices around the country to serve as “mini-regional” offices for isolated parks. The Klamath Falls Group Office was established on July 1, 1969, to consolidate oversight administration of Crater Lake and Lava Beds and Oregon Caves national monuments. The Klamath Falls Group was administered by a general superintendent (Donald M. Spalding–July 1, 1969-July 9, 1972; Ernest J. Borgman–September 30, 1972-February 29, 1980), and continued in existence until August 11, 1982. The superintendent of Crater Lake resided in the park and was responsible to the general superintendent for the management and operation of the park. Approximately one-third of the Crater Lake park staff was assigned to the new group office, thus heaving the park with a shortage of personnel. [82]
In line with management philosophy trends being enunciated by the Washington Office of the National Park Service, Crater Lake began to be administered on a management-by-objective basis in the early 1970s. Management objectives were approved for the park in June 19.70. The objectives for the general management of the park were:
General Management
a. Crater Lake National Park will be managed as a one district unit under the cluster management at Klamath Falls, along with Oregon Cave National Monument and Lava Beds National Monument.
b. Provide year-round access to the rim of the caldera for viewing of the lake by the visiting public.
c. Provide for the collection of appropriate park fees.
d. Relocate park administrative and residential facilities to a more suitable climatic location. Utilize present facilities for other management and visitor use purposes.
e. Coordinate the Service and Concessioner development programs to insure that the needs of the public and the interests of the Service are properly served.
f. Insure park staffing is commensurate to meet demands of the established program standards. [83]
By the 1970s the park organization had further developed along functional lines into a three divisional alignment. The three divisions were administration, interpretation and resource management, and maintenance. The division of administration consisted of the park superintendent and clerical staff. The division of interpretation and resource management was headed by a supervisory park ranger (chief ranger) under whom were supervisory park rangers in charge of protection and safety, resource management, and interpretation, respectively. The maintenance division was headed by a maintenance general foreman. All told, the park staff in 1974 consisted of 21 permanent full-time positions, 4 permanent less than full-time positions, and approximately 70 temporary employees during the summer season. [84]
