Introduction
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Crater Lake National Park was authorized by an
act of Congress on May 22, 1902 (Public Law 32 Stat. 20). The last comprehensive
management plan for the park was completed in 1977. Much has changed since 1977
— visitor use patterns and demographics have changed, there are new demands for
various recreational experiences and activities, and 22,400 acres were added to
the park. Each of these changes has implications for how visitors access and use
the national park and the facilities needed to support those uses, how resources
are managed, and how the National Park Service manages its operations. A new
plan is needed.
This document examines four alternatives for
managing the national park for the next 15 to 20 years. It also analyzes the
impacts of implementing each of the alternatives. The “noaction” alternative,
alternative 1 describes the existing conditions and trends of park management
and serves as a basis for comparison in evaluating the other alternatives. The
emphasis of alternative 2 would be on increased opportunities in recreational
diversity and resource education. Under alternative 3 visitors would experience
a greater range of natural and cultural resources through recreational
opportunities and education. The focus of alternative 4 would be on preservation
and restoration of natural processes. Alternative 2 is the National Park
Service’s preferred alternative.
Impacts resulting from the no- action
alternative would be negligible to minor on natural resources, park operations,
and concession operations, with no adverse impact on most cultural resources.
Under alternative 2 there would generally be moderate to major beneficial
impacts. Impacts from alternative 3 would be generally beneficial. Alternative 4
would offer moderate beneficial impacts to natural and cultural resources, with
a moderate, adverse impact on visitor use.
For more information about this document,
contact the Superintendent, Crater Lake National Park, P.O. Box 7, Hwy 62,
Crater Lake, OR 97604, at (541) 594- 3002 or via email at
CRLA_superintendent@nps.gov.
