ill., maps; "00383.O1D-CRATER LAKE"; "NPSD-306 Jan 2001"; Includes bibliographical references
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The National Park Service (NPS) Organic Act directs the Secretary of the Interior and NPS to manage national parks and monuments to "conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objectives and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as would leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations" (16 United States Code [USC] 1). This Environmental Assess (EA) evaluates two possible alternatives related to the future use of snowmobiles in Crater Lake National Park (CLNP) and examines the potential impacts that could result from each of the alternatives. The purpose and need for this assessment was prompted by continued and increased concern about the potential impacts of snowmobiles on park resources. CLNP seeks to decrease winter use conflicts and decrease winter stress on wildlife by eliminating recreational snowmobile use. On April 26, 2000, the Department of the Interior's Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks directed the NPS to review snowmobile use and determine whether that use is consistent with the service-wide regulation 36 CFR 2.18, as well as the Executive Orders 11644 and 11989. The regulation and the executive orders prohibit snowmobiles except when their use is consistent with the park's natural, cultural, scenic, and aesthetic values; safety considerations; park management objectives; and when this use would not disturb wildlife or damage park resources. There are a limited number of narrow exceptions that allow snowmobile use on designated trails (36 CFR 2.18). Those exceptions apply to units of the National Park System in Alaska and at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota because their enabling legislation contains provisions regarding snowmobile use. The Assistant Secretary's April 26, 2000, memorandum also identified a limited set of exceptions separate from 36 CFR 2.18 which could also apply where snowmobile use was deemed necessary or essential to provide access to inholdings within a park, on roads owned and maintained by other entities of the government, or where crossing park land provided the only means of access to nearby private or public land. This EA explores two alternatives as follows: Alternative 1 (No Action): Alternative 1 is the "no action" alternative, which would involve no change from existing recreational access at CLNP. Current levels of snowmobile visitation would potentially increase if existing access continued. While the increase in demand for recreational snowmobiling inside the park cannot be quantified, it is assumed that some increase would occur, given overall park visitation trends. Recreational snowmobile use within CLNP is permitted on North Entrance Road (State Route [SR] 209) between East Diamond Lake Highway (SR 138) and Rim Drive. The 9-mile stretch of North Entrance Road is a two-lane, paved road, which is used seasonally by wheeled vehicles unless closed by CLNP staff because of heavy snow cover. When snow cover accumulates and the road is closed to wheeled vehicles, CLNP staff would post signs allowing snowmobile use. The maximum speed limit along the road is 55 miles per hour (mph) for wheeled vehicles and 45 mph for snowmobiles. Alternative 2 (Environmentally Preferred Alternative): This alternative involves the elimination of recreational snowmobile use at CLNP. Snowmobile activity would cease at North Entrance Road. 00383.O1D-CRATER LAKE ES-1 Attributes common to both alternatives: CLNP staff would continue to use snowmobiles in the park for administrative purposes. NPS administrative use of snowmobiles would be restricted to that required to manage public snowmobile activity (if Alternative 1 were selected), to conduct emergency operations, and to accomplish essential maintenance, construction, and resource protection activities that cannot be accomplished reasonably by other means. Several potential impact topics were investigated but excluded from detailed evaluation because they were not considered relevant to snowmobile management: Native American use and traditional activity, geology, minority/low-income populations, cultural and historic resources, and vegetation and soils. A summary of the impact topics discussed in more detail in this document is presented below. Water Resources (including wetlands, floodplains, and riparian communities): Studies indicate exhaust from two-cycle snowmobile engines emit pollutants that accumulate in the snow pack and are released into the environment during snowmelt. A minor beneficial impact would result to water quality from elimination of recreational snowmobiling in CLNP; however, continuation of recreational snowmobile access would, over time, result in potential minor adverse impacts as the contamination from snowmobile exhaust and subsequent snowmelt into surface water and groundwater would continue. Air Quality: Studies have shown that two-cycle snowmobile engines generate a substantial amount of air pollutants. Snowmobiles are a notable source of emissions since normal vehicular traffic (and associated air emissions) is largely restricted in the park because of snow-related road closures in winter. The selection of the preferred alternative would have a positive impact to air quality at CLNP. Pollutants associated with snowmobile use may impact air quality by releasing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, and visibility by introducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter. Continued snowmobile use at the park could result in negative impacts to air quality. Wildlife and Fisheries (including habitats and threatened and endangered species): The selection of the preferred alternative could have a positive impact to several species at CLNP, including the northern spotted owl and bald eagle. These species reside in the park year-round and may be vulnerable to harassment (e.g., noise) from snowmobiles. However, the impacts of continued snowmobile use to large ungulates is minimal, because these mammals migrate to lower elevations in winter to forage. Continuation of access would result in a minor to moderate impact on these species due to increased winter stress from noise and vehicle emissions. Recreation, Visitor Use, and Wilderness Values (including solitude and natural quiet): Operation of snowmobiles affects the quality of the natural soundscape as well as wilderness-seeking and non-motorized recreational winter visitors. Should recreational snowmobile access be continued, over time, conflicts between this use and non-motorized use could potentially increase, resulting in a minor to moderate adverse impact on visitor experience. No impact to the experience of recreational snowmobilers would occur under Alternative 1. Elimination of recreational snowmobile access under Alternative 2 would result in a minor to moderate beneficial impact to visitor use because the existing conflicts between motorized recreational users and non-motorized visitor experience would cease. While some visitors may choose to 00383.O1D-CRATER LAKE ES-2 utilize other areas outside of the park for snowmobile recreation, Alternative 1 would have a minor to moderate adverse impact to those visitors who desire to make the park their primary source of snowmobile recreation. Socioeconomics: Selection of the preferred alternative is estimated to reduce Klamath County business revenues by approximately $250,000 and result in the loss of nine jobs, including businesses providing services and goods to snowmobile users (i.e., restaurants, hotels, rental shops). In addition, Diamond Lake Resort in Douglas County, which provides snowmobile rentals and tours for CLNP, would be negatively impacted by snowmobile exclusion at CLNP. Safety and Accident Potential: Selection of the preferred alternative would have a positive effect on safety by removing snowmobile-related accidents. While snowmobile accidents at CLNP are rare, snowmobile use can result in snowmobile-to-snowmobile collision as well as recorded incidents of snowmobiles impacting trees or rocks in the vicinity of the approved snowmobile use area. Important In order to be considered in the development of the final decision, comments must be received by March 19, 2001. Public comments would not be available for public review until after the EA comment period ends. Names and addresses of people that comment on this EA may be available to the public upon request. You can submit your comments in several ways: ■ By mail: National Park Service Attn: Sarah Bransom, c/o WASO, Academy Place 12795 West Alameda Parkway P.O. Box 25287 Denver, CO 80225-0287 ■ By e-mail: sarah_bransom@nps.gov 00383.O1D-CRATER LAKE ES-3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The National Park Service (NPS) Organic Act directs the Secretary of the Interior and NPS to manage national parks and monuments to "conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objectives and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as would leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations" (16 United States Code [USC] 1). This Environmental Assess (EA) evaluates two possible alternatives related to the future use of snowmobiles in Crater Lake National Park (CLNP) and examines the potential impacts that could result from each of the alternatives. The purpose and need for this assessment was prompted by continued and increased concern about the potential impacts of snowmobiles on park resources. CLNP seeks to decrease winter use conflicts and decrease winter stress on wildlife by eliminating recreational snowmobile use. On April 26, 2000, the Department of the Interior's Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks directed the NPS to review snowmobile use and determine whether that use is consistent with the service-wide regulation 36 CFR 2.18, as well as the Executive Orders 11644 and 11989. The regulation and the executive orders prohibit snowmobiles except when their use is consistent with the park's natural, cultural, scenic, and aesthetic values; safety considerations; park management objectives; and when this use would not disturb wildlife or damage park resources. There are a limited number of narrow exceptions that allow snowmobile use on designated trails (36 CFR 2.18). Those exceptions apply to units of the National Park System in Alaska and at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota because their enabling legislation contains provisions regarding snowmobile use. The Assistant Secretary's April 26, 2000, memorandum also identified a limited set of exceptions separate from 36 CFR 2.18 which could also apply where snowmobile use was deemed necessary or essential to provide access to inholdings within a park, on roads owned and maintained by other entities of the government, or where crossing park land provided the only means of access to nearby private or public land. This EA explores two alternatives as follows: Alternative 1 (No Action): Alternative 1 is the "no action" alternative, which would involve no change from existing recreational access at CLNP. Current levels of snowmobile visitation would potentially increase if existing access continued. While the increase in demand for recreational snowmobiling inside the park cannot be quantified, it is assumed that some increase would occur, given overall park visitation trends. Recreational snowmobile use within CLNP is permitted on North Entrance Road (State Route [SR] 209) between East Diamond Lake Highway (SR 138) and Rim Drive. The 9-mile stretch of North Entrance Road is a two-lane, paved road, which is used seasonally by wheeled vehicles unless closed by CLNP staff because of heavy snow cover. When snow cover accumulates and the road is closed to wheeled vehicles, CLNP staff would post signs allowing snowmobile use. The maximum speed limit along the road is 55 miles per hour (mph) for wheeled vehicles and 45 mph for snowmobiles. Alternative 2 (Environmentally Preferred Alternative): This alternative involves the elimination of recreational snowmobile use at CLNP. Snowmobile activity would cease at North Entrance Road. 00383.O1D-CRATER LAKE ES-1 Attributes common to both alternatives: CLNP staff would continue to use snowmobiles in the park for administrative purposes. NPS administrative use of snowmobiles would be restricted to that required to manage public snowmobile activity (if Alternative 1 were selected), to conduct emergency operations, and to accomplish essential maintenance, construction, and resource protection activities that cannot be accomplished reasonably by other means. Several potential impact topics were investigated but excluded from detailed evaluation because they were not considered relevant to snowmobile management: Native American use and traditional activity, geology, minority/low-income populations, cultural and historic resources, and vegetation and soils. A summary of the impact topics discussed in more detail in this document is presented below. Water Resources (including wetlands, floodplains, and riparian communities): Studies indicate exhaust from two-cycle snowmobile engines emit pollutants that accumulate in the snow pack and are released into the environment during snowmelt. A minor beneficial impact would result to water quality from elimination of recreational snowmobiling in CLNP; however, continuation of recreational snowmobile access would, over time, result in potential minor adverse impacts as the contamination from snowmobile exhaust and subsequent snowmelt into surface water and groundwater would continue. Air Quality: Studies have shown that two-cycle snowmobile engines generate a substantial amount of air pollutants. Snowmobiles are a notable source of emissions since normal vehicular traffic (and associated air emissions) is largely restricted in the park because of snow-related road closures in winter. The selection of the preferred alternative would have a positive impact to air quality at CLNP. Pollutants associated with snowmobile use may impact air quality by releasing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, and visibility by introducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter. Continued snowmobile use at the park could result in negative impacts to air quality. Wildlife and Fisheries (including habitats and threatened and endangered species): The selection of the preferred alternative could have a positive impact to several species at CLNP, including the northern spotted owl and bald eagle. These species reside in the park year-round and may be vulnerable to harassment (e.g., noise) from snowmobiles. However, the impacts of continued snowmobile use to large ungulates is minimal, because these mammals migrate to lower elevations in winter to forage. Continuation of access would result in a minor to moderate impact on these species due to increased winter stress from noise and vehicle emissions. Recreation, Visitor Use, and Wilderness Values (including solitude and natural quiet): Operation of snowmobiles affects the quality of the natural soundscape as well as wilderness-seeking and non-motorized recreational winter visitors. Should recreational snowmobile access be continued, over time, conflicts between this use and non-motorized use could potentially increase, resulting in a minor to moderate adverse impact on visitor experience. No impact to the experience of recreational snowmobilers would occur under Alternative 1. Elimination of recreational snowmobile access under Alternative 2 would result in a minor to moderate beneficial impact to visitor use because the existing conflicts between motorized recreational users and non-motorized visitor experience would cease. While some visitors may choose to 00383.O1D-CRATER LAKE ES-2 utilize other areas outside of the park for snowmobile recreation, Alternative 1 would have a minor to moderate adverse impact to those visitors who desire to make the park their primary source of snowmobile recreation. Socioeconomics: Selection of the preferred alternative is estimated to reduce Klamath County business revenues by approximately $250,000 and result in the loss of nine jobs, including businesses providing services and goods to snowmobile users (i.e., restaurants, hotels, rental shops). In addition, Diamond Lake Resort in Douglas County, which provides snowmobile rentals and tours for CLNP, would be negatively impacted by snowmobile exclusion at CLNP. Safety and Accident Potential: Selection of the preferred alternative would have a positive effect on safety by removing snowmobile-related accidents. While snowmobile accidents at CLNP are rare, snowmobile use can result in snowmobile-to-snowmobile collision as well as recorded incidents of snowmobiles impacting trees or rocks in the vicinity of the approved snowmobile use area. Important In order to be considered in the development of the final decision, comments must be received by March 19, 2001. Public comments would not be available for public review until after the EA comment period ends. Names and addresses of people that comment on this EA may be available to the public upon request. You can submit your comments in several ways: ■ By mail: National Park Service Attn: Sarah Bransom, c/o WASO, Academy Place 12795 West Alameda Parkway P.O. Box 25287 Denver, CO 80225-0287 ■ By e-mail: sarah_bransom@nps.gov 00383.O1D-CRATER LAKE ES-3