Norton cancels Crater Lake visit

Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
September 17, 2003
By LEE JUILLERAT

Interior Secretary Gale Norton has canceled plans to visit Crater Lake National Park this week because she is instead attending a special meeting in Washington, D.C.

Park spokesman Michael Justin said Crater Lake staff was notified of Norton's change in plans Tuesday. He said Norton sent her apologies, and explained she was called on to attend a high-priority meeting.

Norton was scheduled to arrive in the area tonight and spend Thursday at the park at the annual board meeting of the National Park Foundation. She is an officer on the group's board.

National Park Service Director Fran Mainella, who also serves as an officer with the group, will be at the park for the meetings as planned.

The foundation will hold some meetings and activities with the newly created Crater Lake National Park Trust, which was organized last year. Members of the two groups are scheduled to take a lake boat tour Thursday, weather permitting.

Following the meetings, which run through Friday, the park will celebrate National Public Lands Day Saturday with free park admission.

"We hope that many people will take advantage of this fee-free day to enjoy a beautiful fall day at Crater Lake National Park," said Superintendent Chuck Lundy.

National Public Lands Day recognizes the diversity and importance of the nation's public lands. Nine federal land management agencies, along with several state, county and city governments, are participating in various National Public Land Day activities.

In the Klamath Basin, the Bureau of Land Management is hosting a work day-lunch Saturday at the Wood River Wetlands on Agency Lake. For information, contact Wedge Watkins at 883-6916.