The “Cultural Resources Management Program” identified four major historical themes for interpretation and site preservation in the park. These were: (1) Northern Plateau Indians; (2) Discovery and Exploration; (3) Conservation Movement to Protect the Lake; and (4) Park Administration. [60]
During the past several years the park has emphasized a new awareness of its cultural resources under the leadership of Superintendent Robert E. Benton. Among his initiatives have been support for nominating the Munson Valley Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places, designating the Superintendent’s Residence as a National Historic Landmark, rehabilitating and preserving the historic fabric of the buildings in Munson Valley, performing research on the park’s history, and curating the park’s extensive museum and archival collections.
As a result of the geothermal exploration program at Crater Lake, vents were discovered on the floor of the lake in 1987. The impact of this discovery will undoubtedly have repercussions on park resource management issues, especially in light of the geothermal features protection section of the Fiscal Year 1987 appropriations bill.
Crater Lake National Park Strength of Force Plan, 1946
| Legend: | ||
| Visibility V1 – 8 miles or better V2 – 5 to 8 miles V3 – 0 to 5 miles |
Risk R1 – all foreseen man-cause R2 – all unforseen man-cause R3 – forecast of locally observed storm R4 – general or severe local storm |
Symbols used X – position to be manned and/or action taken V – visibility R – risk |
| Specific Action to be Taken | Burning Index Class
|
||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8-10 | |
|
|
|||||||
| Man Watchman and Mt. Scott Lookouts | R-3 | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Activate Dispatcher’s Office | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Supplement fire protection organization with emergency fire guards | R-4 | R-4 | R-3 | R-3 | R-3 | X | X |
| Man all ranger stations | R-3 | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Man secondary lookouts–Union Peak and Crater Peak–72 hours following thunderstorm | V-3 | V-2 | X | X | X | X | X |
| The regular storehouse man and one mechanic held in Utility Area extra hours, weekends and holidays | R-4 | R-3 | X | X | |||
| One regular member of park clerical force held in Headquarters extra hours, weekends and holidays | R-4 | R-3 | X | X | |||
| All ranger and fire protection personnel on standby | R-4 | R-3 | X | X | X | ||
| Naturalist staff on standby | R-4 | R-3 | X | X | |||
| All permanent, seasonal and per diem park employees on standby | R-4 | R-3 | X | ||||
| Patrol of main highway system, campgrounds and picnic areas | R-2 | R-1 | X | X | |||
| No smoking while traveling rule put into effect | X | X | X | X | |||
| All burning operations to cease after 1 day | X | ||||||
| No burning operations | X | X | X | X | |||
| Blasting permitted with electric caps–watchman on duty one hour after blasting | X | ||||||
| Blasting in rock cuts where all debris, humis and trees have been removed permitted with electric cap; watchman on duty on hour after blasting | X | ||||||
| No blasting prohibited | X | ||||||
| Close motorway system to all travel and use | X | ||||||
| Restrict visitor use to main highway system and developed areas | X | X | |||||
| Contact all local cooperators | R-4 | X | X | X | X | ||
| Publicity–notify public through evening programs, contacts at entrance stations, campgrounds, etc. | X | ||||||
| Contact all park contractors and the public operator–notify of danger and request special precautions | X | ||||||
| Notify Regional Director’s Office of conditions and impending danger | R-4 | R-3 | R-3 | X | |||
“Annual Forestry Report, Crater Lake National Park,” 1946, RG 79, Region IV, Central Classified Files, 1923-65, Crater Lake, Box 21, Folder No. 883, “Part III, 1/1/42 – 1/1/51,” FRC, San Bruno.
