Purpose of and Need for the Plan

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PURPOSE, NEED, AND SCOPING

THE SCOPING PROCESS

Public meetings and newsletters were used to keep the public informed and involved in the planning process for Crater Lake National Park. A mailing list was compiled that consisted of members of government agencies, nongovernmental groups, businesses, legislators, local governments, and interested citizens.

The notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement was published in the Federal Register on May 25, 2001. A newsletter issued January 2001 described the planning effort. Public meetings were held during April 2001 in Klamath Falls, Medford, Roseburg, and Salem and were attended by 96 people. A total of 72 written comments were received in response to that newsletter. A second newsletter issued in July 2001 summarized the comments received in the meetings and in response to newsletter 1. These comments were used to complete the park purpose and significance statements that serve as the foundation for the rest of the planning. Comments on various issues facing the park were referred to during development of the General Management Plan.

In spring of 2002 a total of 95 comments were received in response to a third newsletter describing draft alternative concepts and managing zoning. In general opinions were fairly divided in support of individual alternatives and how to address the issues. A number of letters favored continued snowmobile use while other people favored elimination of snowmobiles in the park. Opinions were divided on managing traffic along Rim Drive — maintaining current two- way traffic, converting part of the road to one- way traffic, or closing the road to traffic. Most respondents favored use of shuttles. A number of people who opposed partnering with private industry were concerned with large- scale commercialization within the park.