Purpose of and Need for the Plan

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IMPACT TOPICS – RESOURCES AND VALUES AT STAKE IN THE PLANNING PROCESS

IMPACT TOPICS ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER EVALUATION

The following topics were dismissed from further analysis because the alternatives being considered would have no discernable effect on the resource or topic, or the resource does not occur in the park.

Floodplains and Wetlands

Executive Orders 11988 (Floodplain Management) and 11990 (Protection of Wetlands) require an examination of impacts to floodplains and wetlands, of potential risk involved in placing facilities within floodplains, and protecting wetlands. The 2001 NPS Management Policies , DO 77- 1 (Wetland Protection), DO 77- 2 (Floodplain Management), and DO- 12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision Making) provide direction for development proposed in floodplains and wetlands. It is NPS policy to avoid affecting floodplains and wetlands and to minimize impacts when they are unavoidable. Permanent streams in the park generally have steep- sided channels, and associated floodplains and riparian areas are narrow. The term wetlands include wet environments such as marshes, swamps, and bogs. They may be covered in shallow water most of the year, or be wet only seasonally. Plants and animals found in these areas are uniquely adapted to wet conditions. Crater Lake National Park wetlands include Sphagnum Bog, Thousand Springs, Boundary Springs, seeps, and creeks.

Facilities proposed for development under the alternatives would be sited to avoid floodplains and wetlands. Based on the prevalence of upland sites both within the park and nearby communities, it is expected that wetlands and floodplains would be avoided. Mitigation measures would be required as part of construction to minimize any potential indirect effects. For example, erosion control measures would be used to minimize siltation or sedimentation of nearby waters or wetlands from construction site runoff. Before initiating any ground- disturbing projects, further investigation would be conducted to ensure that these resources would not be appreciably affected. Floodplains and wetlands will be addressed at the project level to ensure that projects are consistent with NPS policy and EO 11988 and EO 11990, and any potential impacts would be negligible.

Ecologically Critical Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, or Other Unique Natural Resources

Four distinct natural areas within the boundaries of Crater Lake National Park have been designated as research natural areas: Sphagnum Bog, Llao Rock, Pumice Desert, and Desert Creek. These four areas illustrate unique ecosystems and represent outstanding habitats of the Oregon Cascades Province, as defined in the Oregon Natural Heritage Plan (1981).

Several other areas within the park contain important ecological communities. Boundary Springs is in the northwest corner of the park and is one of the headwater sources of the Rogue River. The spring produces a reliable, year-round flow in an otherwise arid area, resulting in a lush moss and herb flora (Applegate 1939). Thousand Springs is approximately 1 mile south of the west entrance (OR 62) of Crater Lake National Park. The Thousand Springs site is a complex of freshwater springs that flow west into Union Creek and eventually into the Rogue River.

These research natural areas and important ecological communities would continue to be preserved and managed to minimize human disturbance under all of the alternatives. Negligible disturbance to these areas has occurred or is expected to occur under any of the alternatives. No actions proposed in the alternatives would affect the eligibility or designation of a wild and scenic river.

Geologic Resources

Crater Lake National Park lies within a north- south chain of large volcanic cones built during the last few hundred thousand years along the crest of the Cascade Range (Schaffer 1983). The current landscape was formed after the eruption and collapse of Mt. Mazama. The park landscape displays a large range of volcanic rocks and remnant glacial material as well as a variety of geologic features. The steep-walled cliffs of the caldera left by the eruption of Mt. Mazama display the geologic layering of lava flows over time. Wizard Island is an example of a cinder cone and lava flows that erupted soon after the one which formed the caldera. Several more post caldera volcanoes are hidden by the lake. Studies of the lake bottom have shown the presence of hydrothermal activity on the lake floor. The Sand Creek/Pinnacles area in the southeast corner of the park is a site of unique geological importance. The canyon formed by Sand Creek has sloping walls of scoria and pumice. Along the walls are numerous pinnacle formations, many 50 feet or taller.

No actions proposed in the alternatives would affect these geologic resources.

Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species (Select Species)

There are a number of species that are considered threatened or endangered in Oregon, according to lists maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the Oregon Natural Heritage Program (ONHP) that inhabit, or for which potential habitat exists in the park. The alternatives would have no effect on some of these species as discussed below. Surveys would be conducted and potential new development or trails proposed under any of the alternatives would be sited to avoid disturbing sensitive species.

Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris) are federal and state endangered species. Both species are primarily lake residents that spawn in rivers, streams, or springs associated with lake habitats. Wood River, which flows south of the park in the upper Klamath Lake watershed, provides spawning habitat for these species. Neither species is known to inhabit the park at present, and it is not known if they have historically inhabited the park. The alternatives would have negligible effects on water use from Annie Spring, which joins with the Wood River south of the park. There would be no measurable effect on Wood River flows; and, therefore, may affect, but would not be likely to adversely affect spawning habitat for these species would occur.

Yellow- billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) is a federal candidate and listed by ONHP under species threatened or endangered or possibly extirpated from Oregon but secure elsewhere. Populations of this species have declined in portions of their range in the United States, particularly west of the Continental Divide. Western yellow- billed cuckoos appear to require large blocks of riparian habitat for nesting. Loss and degradation of western riparian habitats appears to be a primary factor in their decline. A survey in eastern Oregon and Klamath County located no birds but identified potential breeding habitat along the lower Owyhee River (Littlefield 1988). This species is not known to inhabit the park, nor would the alternatives adversely affect large blocks of riparian habitat. No effect on this species is anticipated under any of the alternatives.

Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) is a federal candidate and listed by ONHP under species threatened or endangered throughout their range. The tailed frog (Ascaphcs truei) and Cascade frog (Rana cascadae) are both federal species of concern and listed by the state under species threatened or endangered or possibly extirpated from Oregon but secure elsewhere. Spotted frogs are highly aquatic and live in or near permanent bodies of water, including lakes, ponds, slow streams and marshes. Tailed frogs are stream dwellers that do not inhabit ponds or lakes. The Cascade frog is found in small pools adjacent to streams flowing through subalpine meadows. They can also be found in sphagnum bogs and fens, seasonally- flooded, forested swamps, small lakes, ponds, and marshy areas adjacent to streams. These species are not known to inhabit the park, nor are the alternatives expected to affect potentially suitable habitat.

Crater Lake newt (Taricha granulosa ssp. mazamae) is listed by ONHP under species threatened or endangered throughout their range. This species is endemic to Crater Lake and is found in the shoreline ecosystem of the lake. None of the actions within the alternatives would affect areas of known populations. The Park Service would continue to take management actions as necessary to avoid impacts from continuing visitor and research activities that occur within the caldera.

Mt. Mazama collomia, (Collomia mazama) is listed by the ONHP under taxa that are endangered or threatened throughout their range or which are presumed extinct. This species inhabits high elevation (4,800' - 6,300') forest- meadow ecotones in the red fir/mountain hemlock and lodgepole pine forest zones and occasionally along riparian areas. Within the park it is found north of Sphagnum Bog, along Pacific Crest Trail and Dutton Creek, and in scattered open woods and meadows of the lodgepole pine and true fir forest zones along the west side of park. None of the actions under the alternatives would affect areas of known populations within the park. The Park Service would continue to take management actions as necessary to avoid impacts by backcountry visitors. Crawford's sedge (Carex crafordii), abrupt- beaked sedge (Carex abrupta), and lesser bladderwort (Utricularia minor) are listed by the ONHP under species that are threatened, endangered, or possibly extirpated from Oregon, but are stable or more common elsewhere. These species occur within the park and are associated with wetlands and/or springs. The alternatives would not affect habitat where these species are found.

Prime and Unique Farmlands

In 1980 the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) directed that federal agencies assess the effects of their actions on farmland soils classified as prime or unique by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Prime or unique farmland is defined as soil that particularly produces general crops such as common foods, forage, fiber, and oil seed; unique farmland produces specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. There are no prime or unique farmlands associated within the park, and this impact topic was dismissed from further analysis.

Lightscape

NPS Management Policies (2001) state that the National Park Service will preserve, to the greatest extent possible, the natural lightscapes of parks, including natural darkness. The agency strives to minimize the intrusion of artificial light into the night scene by limiting the use of artificial outdoor lighting to basic safety requirements, shielding the lights when possible, and using minimal- impact lighting techniques. The actions proposed in the alternatives could result in new facilities, some of which could necessitate some night- time lighting. However, the effects of this lighting would be localized and minimized by the mitigation techniques described above. Only a small area would be affected by the facilities. It is expected that these few developments would have a negligible impact on the night sky. Therefore, lightscape was dismissed as an impact topic.

Natural or Depletable Resource Requirements and Conservation Potential

None of the alternatives being considered would result in the extraction of resources from the park. Under all of the alternatives ecological principles would be applied to ensure that the park’s natural resources were maintained and not impaired.

Energy Requirements and Conservation Potential

The National Park Service would pursue sustainable practices whenever possible in all decisions regarding national park operations, facilities management, and development in Crater Lake National Park. Whenever possible, the Park Service would use energy conservation technologies and renewable energy sources. Consequently, the alternatives would negligibly affect energy consumption compared to current conditions.

Land Use

There are no anticipated conflicts with local land use planning. The proposed management zones and creation of additional recreation and visitor service opportunities in the park as proposed under certain alternatives would not be inconsistent with local land use plans. Potential development of NPS facilities in local communities outside the park would conform with any local land use plans such as the Klamath County Comprehensive Plan. None of the alternatives would be expected to induce changes in land use outside the park, and there are no private in holdings within the park.

Environmental Justice

Executive Order 12898, “General Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low- Income Populations,” requires all federal agencies to incorporate environmental justice into their missions by identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs and policies on minorities and low- income populations and communities. No alternative would have health or environmental effects on minorities (including American Indian tribes) or low- income populations or communities as defined in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Guidance (1998). Therefore, this impact topic has been dismissed as an impact topic in this document.

Indian Trust Resources

The lands comprising Crater Lake National Park are not held in trust by the secretary of the interior for the benefit of Indians due to their status. Therefore, this topic was dismissed.

Wilderness Resources and Values

The alternatives place all lands within the 1974 wilderness proposal within the backcountry zone and would allow only uses and development compatible with the protection of wilderness characteristics and values. All new development proposed under any of the alternatives would occur within the exclusions, and proposed wilderness lands would be avoided during construction activities. Backcountry opportunities for visitors to experience solitude and unconfined recreation in the backcountry would remain unchanged. Opportunities for primitive recreation, hiking, backpacking and stock use in the wilderness would remain. In most wilderness areas of the park, visitors would continue to find what they perceive as pristine natural conditions. For example, visitors would continue to find a landscape generally untrammeled by people with few signs of disturbance or alteration. Relatively few visitors use the backcountry in the park, and although this number is expected to increase, negligible impacts to backcountry visitor experiences are anticipated under alternative 1 (noaction alternative).