CONTENTS

Summary

Notes to Reviewers and Respondents

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION

PARK PURPOSE, SIGNIFICANCE, AND MISSION

Park Purpose

Park Statement of Significance

Park Mission

THE PURPOSE OF PARK ROADS

Functional Classifications of Park Roads

FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY PROGRAM

SCOPING

ISSUES AND IMPACT TOPICS

Issues

Derivation of Impact Topics

Impact Topics Selected for Detailed Analysis

Impact Topics Dismissed From Detailed Analysis

Wizard III Quarry, Rogue River National Forest

ALTERNATIVES

INTRODUCTION

ALTERNATIVE A: NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

ALTERNATIVE B: RESURFACING, RESTORATION, AND REHABILITATION

Roadway

Proposed Turnouts

Whitehorse Creek Crossing

Switchbacks

Pacific Crest Trail Parking Lot

ALTERNATIVE C: PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE – RESURFACING, RESTORATION, REHABILITATION, AND REALIGNMENT

MITIGATION MEASURES COMMON TO ACTION ALTERNATIVES

General

Mitigation

Visitor Use, Traffic, and Highway Safety

Clearing and Grubbing

Revegetation

Cultural Resources

Air Quality

Noise and Soundscapes

ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Sustainability

PERMIT AND CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT DISMISSED FROM DETAILED ANALYSIS

COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF NO-ACTION AND ACTION ALTERNATIVES

COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

CONTENTS

COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL LONG-TERM IMPACTS

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

Highway 62 West Project Corridor

Park Visitation

BIOTIC COMMUNITIES

Vegetation

Wildlife

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES AND SPECIES OF CONCERN

SOILS AND GEOLOGY

CULTURAL RESOURCES

VISITOR USE, TRAFFIC, AND HIGHWAY SAFETY

PARK OPERATIONS

AIR QUALITY

SOUNDSCAPES AND NOISE

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

INTRODUCTION

METHODS FOR ASSESSING IMPACTS

Biotic Communities

Threatened and Endangered Species

Soils and Geology

Cultural Resources

Archeological Resources

Historic Structures / Buildings

Visitor Use, Traffic, and Highway Safety

Park Operations

Air Quality

Soundscapes and Noise Quality

Cumulative Impacts

IMPAIRMENT OF PARK RESOURCES AND VALUES

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES — ALTERNATIVE A: NO ACTION

Biotic Communities

Threatened And Endangered Species And Species of Concern

Soils and Geology

Cultural Resources

Visitor Use, Traffic, and Highway Safety

Park Operations

Air Quality

Soundscapes and Noise

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES—ALTERNATIVE B: RESURFACING, RESTORATION, AND REHABILITATION

Biotic Communities

Threatened and Endangered Species, Species of Concern

Soils and Geology

Cultural Resources

Visitor Use, Traffic, and Highway Safety

Park Operations

Air Quality

Contents

Soundscapes and Noise

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES—ALTERNATIVE C: PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Biotic Communities

Threatened and Endangered Species, Species of Concern

Soils and Geology

Cultural Resources

Visitor Use and Highway Safety

Park Operations

Air Quality

Soundscapes and Noise

REFERENCES

LEGAL CITATIONS

CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

FEDERAL AGENCIES

STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES OF OREGON

NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES

PREPARERS

APPENDIXES

APPENDIX 1: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PRESS RELEASE

APPENDIX 2: SCOPING AND CONSULTATION LETTERS

APPENDIX 3: ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCES FOR WIZARD III QUARRY

APPENDIX 4: THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES LISTS

APPENDIX 5: REQUEST FOR CONCURRENCE ON EFFECTS DETERMINATION FOR EFFECTS TO NORTHERN SPOTTED OWLS

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Comparative Summary of Alternatives

Table 2. Comparative Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts

Table 3. Comparative Summary of Potential Long-Term Impacts

Table 5. Federal Highway Administration Noise Abatement Criteria

Table 6. Heavy Equipment Noise Levels at 50 Feet

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Rehabilitate Highway 62 West Project Site [NPS-DSC\OCT 02\106\20131]

Figure 2. Rehabilitate Highway 62 West Project Features [NPS-DSC\OCT 02\106\20132]

Figure 3. Wizard III Quarry [NPS-DSC\OCTO2\106\20133]

Figure 4. Whitehorse Crossing Proposed Profile Reduction [NPS-DSC\OCT02\106\20134]

Figure 5. Pacific Crest Trail Access Drive Realignment [NPS-DSC\OCT02\106\20135]

Figure 6. Proposed Switchback Realignment [NPS-DSC\OCT02\106\20136]

Figure 7. Option 1 — Alternative Considered but Eliminated [NPS-DSC\OCT02\106\20137]

Figure 8. Option 1A — Alternative Considered but Eliminated [NPS-DSC\OCT02\106\20138]

Figure 9. Option 4 — Alternative Considered but Eliminated [NPS-DSC\OCT02\106\20139]