ill., maps; "August, 1994"; Includes appendices; "Jones/Winter use 08/22/94e."
Executive Summary INTRODUCTION The winter use plan supports the purpose for which Congress established the National Park Service (NPS) in 1916: to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. The plan will preserve the quiet and solitude of the park's backcountry areas while allowing all user groups access to Crater Lake during the winter season. This plan is the result of a thorough evaluation of park resources and past, existing, and anticipated winter use at Crater Lake National Park and in the surrounding region, and it reflects public comment received during the planning process. While diverse views were expected and presented, the preferred winter use plan alternative is consistent with the majority of comments received. All public comments and responses regarding the draft winter use plan and environmental assessment are included in Appendix A of this document. ALTERNATIVES Four alternative winter use plan scenarios were evaluated during the planning process. With the exception of a change in frontcountry camping policy, the winter use plan is based on Alternative 1, which supports maintaining existing winter use in the park. Under Alternative 1, snow machine access to Crater Lake National Park would continue along the north entrance road. The existing ungroomed cross-country ski trail network would be retained. Guided interpretive snowshoe walks would continue from the Rim Village activity center. Overnight frontcountry camping would continue at Rim Village. Backcountry camping would continue under the existing permit system. Under Alternative 2, the use of mechanized snow machines within the park would be prohibited. The existing ungroomed cross-country ski network would continue to be maintained. Snowshoe walks would continue to be offered from Rim Village. Frontcountry camping would continue in a designated area at Rim Village. Backcountry use would be restricted to day use. No overnight backcountry use would be permitted. JOKES/CRATER WINTER USE 08/22/Wc VI Under Alternative 3, the use of snow machines within the park would be limited to the north entrance road. The existing ungroomed ski trail network would continue to be maintained. However, this alternative includes an option to develop a groomed trail network in Mazama Village. Snowshoe walks would continue to be offered at Rim Village; however, if year-round facilities were to be developed in Mazama Village, the NPS would likely provide guided interpretive snowshoe walks in this area as well. Frontcountry camping would be prohibited in Rim Village; however, facilities would be provided in Mazama Village if year-round facilities were developed. Backcountry camping would continue under the existing permit system. Under Alternative 4, the use of snow machines would continue along the north entrance road; however, snowmobile access would also be permitted along the Pinnacles road from the former east entrance to the Phantom Ship overlook at Kerr Notch. The cross-country ski network would continue to be maintained; however, the NPS would explore development of groomed trails along portions of Rim Drive. Snowshoe walks and frontcountry camping would be the same as in Alternative 3. Backcountry camping would continue under the existing permit system; however, the NPS would explore development of a hut-to-hut system within the park. WINTER USE PLAN Based on park staff and consultant analysis and public comment regarding the alternative winter use scenarios, the winter use plan is based on Alternative 1. Park staff and the public seem most satisfied with maintaining existing types and levels of winter use within Crater Lake National Park. Snow machine access will continue along the north entrance road from Highway 138 to North Junction (see Figure 3-1 in Chapter 3). The existing ungroomed cross-country ski network (see Figure 3-2 in Chapter 3) will be maintained. Guided interpretive snowshoe walks will continue to be offered from the Rim Village activity center. Backcountry camping will continue based on the existing permit system. No groomed trail or hut-to-hut system will be developed. Safety and regulatory concerns have prompted park staff to prohibit overnight frontcountry camping in the Rim Village area. All overnight frontcountry campers will be referred to year-round overnight facilities outside the park. Prior to the year 2000, the NPS will reevaluate the appropriateness and need for year-round lodging facilities at Mazama Village. The decision will be based on existing and predicted patters of winter use in and around the park, potential environmental impacts, the availability of winter lodging outside the park, and the economic viability of winter lodging in the park. If a decision is made to construct year-round lodging, such lodging would be located north of the existing lodging units adjacent to the Mazama Village store. JONES/CRATER WINTER USE 08/22/94c VU ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES At the present time, there is no evidence indicating that existing winter use activities adversely affect the environment; however, additional studies and monitoring are needed. Because the winter use plan will not substantially change the types of activities permitted in the park or the location of existing activities, no significant adverse environmental impacts resulting from plan implementation can be identified. The least potential for environmental impact would occur under Alternative 2. Reduced winter use would eliminate the potential for petroleum products to enter surface water resources. Noise impacts on wildlife caused by snowmobiles and overnight backcountry use would be eliminated. However, reduced winter use would adversely affect recreation opportunities within the park. Under Alternative 3, noise levels from the use of mechanized trail grooming equipment in Mazama Village would increase, possibly affecting wildlife. Increased noise levels would affect the backcountry wilderness experience in this area. Recreational opportunities would increase with greater winter use in the Mazama Village area. Other environmental impacts would likely be as described for the winter use plan. Under Alternative 4, increased snowmobile access along the Pinnacles road would increase noise levels in this area, affecting the quiet and solitude of the backcountry experience. In addition, snowmobile exhaust could affect cross-country skiers traveling in the area. Recreation opportunities for snowmobilers would increase. No significant cumulative impacts associated with implementation of this plan are anticipated. Impacts associated with development in the Mazama Village area will be addressed in the environmental impact statement being prepared for the Development Concept Plan. JONES/CRATER WINTER USE 08/22/Wc Vlll
Executive Summary INTRODUCTION The winter use plan supports the purpose for which Congress established the National Park Service (NPS) in 1916: to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. The plan will preserve the quiet and solitude of the park's backcountry areas while allowing all user groups access to Crater Lake during the winter season. This plan is the result of a thorough evaluation of park resources and past, existing, and anticipated winter use at Crater Lake National Park and in the surrounding region, and it reflects public comment received during the planning process. While diverse views were expected and presented, the preferred winter use plan alternative is consistent with the majority of comments received. All public comments and responses regarding the draft winter use plan and environmental assessment are included in Appendix A of this document. ALTERNATIVES Four alternative winter use plan scenarios were evaluated during the planning process. With the exception of a change in frontcountry camping policy, the winter use plan is based on Alternative 1, which supports maintaining existing winter use in the park. Under Alternative 1, snow machine access to Crater Lake National Park would continue along the north entrance road. The existing ungroomed cross-country ski trail network would be retained. Guided interpretive snowshoe walks would continue from the Rim Village activity center. Overnight frontcountry camping would continue at Rim Village. Backcountry camping would continue under the existing permit system. Under Alternative 2, the use of mechanized snow machines within the park would be prohibited. The existing ungroomed cross-country ski network would continue to be maintained. Snowshoe walks would continue to be offered from Rim Village. Frontcountry camping would continue in a designated area at Rim Village. Backcountry use would be restricted to day use. No overnight backcountry use would be permitted. JOKES/CRATER WINTER USE 08/22/Wc VI Under Alternative 3, the use of snow machines within the park would be limited to the north entrance road. The existing ungroomed ski trail network would continue to be maintained. However, this alternative includes an option to develop a groomed trail network in Mazama Village. Snowshoe walks would continue to be offered at Rim Village; however, if year-round facilities were to be developed in Mazama Village, the NPS would likely provide guided interpretive snowshoe walks in this area as well. Frontcountry camping would be prohibited in Rim Village; however, facilities would be provided in Mazama Village if year-round facilities were developed. Backcountry camping would continue under the existing permit system. Under Alternative 4, the use of snow machines would continue along the north entrance road; however, snowmobile access would also be permitted along the Pinnacles road from the former east entrance to the Phantom Ship overlook at Kerr Notch. The cross-country ski network would continue to be maintained; however, the NPS would explore development of groomed trails along portions of Rim Drive. Snowshoe walks and frontcountry camping would be the same as in Alternative 3. Backcountry camping would continue under the existing permit system; however, the NPS would explore development of a hut-to-hut system within the park. WINTER USE PLAN Based on park staff and consultant analysis and public comment regarding the alternative winter use scenarios, the winter use plan is based on Alternative 1. Park staff and the public seem most satisfied with maintaining existing types and levels of winter use within Crater Lake National Park. Snow machine access will continue along the north entrance road from Highway 138 to North Junction (see Figure 3-1 in Chapter 3). The existing ungroomed cross-country ski network (see Figure 3-2 in Chapter 3) will be maintained. Guided interpretive snowshoe walks will continue to be offered from the Rim Village activity center. Backcountry camping will continue based on the existing permit system. No groomed trail or hut-to-hut system will be developed. Safety and regulatory concerns have prompted park staff to prohibit overnight frontcountry camping in the Rim Village area. All overnight frontcountry campers will be referred to year-round overnight facilities outside the park. Prior to the year 2000, the NPS will reevaluate the appropriateness and need for year-round lodging facilities at Mazama Village. The decision will be based on existing and predicted patters of winter use in and around the park, potential environmental impacts, the availability of winter lodging outside the park, and the economic viability of winter lodging in the park. If a decision is made to construct year-round lodging, such lodging would be located north of the existing lodging units adjacent to the Mazama Village store. JONES/CRATER WINTER USE 08/22/94c VU ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES At the present time, there is no evidence indicating that existing winter use activities adversely affect the environment; however, additional studies and monitoring are needed. Because the winter use plan will not substantially change the types of activities permitted in the park or the location of existing activities, no significant adverse environmental impacts resulting from plan implementation can be identified. The least potential for environmental impact would occur under Alternative 2. Reduced winter use would eliminate the potential for petroleum products to enter surface water resources. Noise impacts on wildlife caused by snowmobiles and overnight backcountry use would be eliminated. However, reduced winter use would adversely affect recreation opportunities within the park. Under Alternative 3, noise levels from the use of mechanized trail grooming equipment in Mazama Village would increase, possibly affecting wildlife. Increased noise levels would affect the backcountry wilderness experience in this area. Recreational opportunities would increase with greater winter use in the Mazama Village area. Other environmental impacts would likely be as described for the winter use plan. Under Alternative 4, increased snowmobile access along the Pinnacles road would increase noise levels in this area, affecting the quiet and solitude of the backcountry experience. In addition, snowmobile exhaust could affect cross-country skiers traveling in the area. Recreation opportunities for snowmobilers would increase. No significant cumulative impacts associated with implementation of this plan are anticipated. Impacts associated with development in the Mazama Village area will be addressed in the environmental impact statement being prepared for the Development Concept Plan. JONES/CRATER WINTER USE 08/22/Wc Vlll