Draft Winter Use Plan, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, 1994

 Appendix C – Crater Lake National Park Winter Use Plan Public Meeting Workbook

 

INTRODUCTION

Welcome Welcome to one of a series of four public information meetings being held during January 1994 by the National Park Service (NPS). The purpose of these meetings is to receive public input regarding preparation of a Winter Use Plan (WUP) for Crater Lake National Park. This workbook includes:

• a brief description of Crater Lake and the NPS,

• a description of the need for the WUP,

• a description of existing winter use at Crater Lake National Park, and

• a description of four alternative winter use scenarios.

Background Planning the future of Crater Lake

Stimulated by the need to determine the future of the historic Crater Lake Lodge, the NPS undertook an intense planning effort during the 1980s. The approved plan, finalized in 1988, was the result of a series of public planning efforts addressing the future character of the Rim Village area of the park. Public comments were solicited at three separate points in the planning process. The approved plan called for rehabilitation of the lodge and replacement of the existing gift store and cafeteria with a new year-round activity center/hotel in Rim Village. Following this process, the approved plan was amended to include development of an off-rim parking facility and removal of all parking in Rim Village.

In October 1991, the House-Senate Appropriations Committee expressed concern over the rising cost and scope of development for a new activity center and hotel in Rim Village. The NPS, also concerned over costs and the appropriateness of year-round lodging on the rim, removed year-round lodging in Rim Village from the proposal. Additionally, the need to formulate a long-term strategy to address growing demand for winter use became evident. This need was formalized in a request from the House-Senate Appropriations Committee in September 1992 to prepare a WUP for the park. To initiate the planning process, the NPS first looked at the existing pattern of winter use. Foremost among winter visitor activities is passive viewing of the lake. This includes photography, relaxation, and contemplation of the winter scene. This will likely remain as the primary winter recreational activity in the park. However, the number of winter visitors participating in active recreation is increasing. Typically, whether they are on cross-country skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles, winter visitors participating in active recreation are using a means of travel other than the automobile to enjoy Crater Lake National Park during the winter season.

While recognizing the value of passive lake viewing, there is a growing demand to create a formal document that the NPS can use to assist in addressing active winter recreation issues. Active winter activities currently occurring in the park are:

• cross-country skiing,

• front-country camping,

• back-country camping,

• snowshoeing, and

• snowmobiling.

The NPS has developed four alternative winter use scenarios. They define varying levels of winter recreational use and focus on those activities listed above. After receiving public input, the NPS will select a preferred alternative on which to base the WUP. Your input into this process is essential for the successful development and implementation of the plan.