"November 1997."; Includes bibliographical references (155-163) and index
SUMMARY The current 30-year concession contract at Crater Lake National Park expired in October 1997, and a new contract must be established for the provision of commercial services. The purpose of this Draft Visitor Services Plan / Environmental Impact Statement is to help the park define optimal levels and kinds of services and to set the terms for the new concession contract. This plan will also guide general levels and locations of interpretive services. The final plan will set the future direction for the new long-term concession contract and NPS interpretive services at Crater Lake National Park. This document addresses the issues and concerns that were raised by the National Park Service and that were subsequently identified in response to public scoping and alternatives newsletters and through meetings with organizations and individuals. The issues and concerns include cultural and natural resource protection and the appropriate level and type of NPS and commercial visitor services and facilities. This plan presents five alternatives, including a proposed action and no-action alternative, for visitor use and resource protection in the four main developed areas of the park — Rim Village, Mazama Village, Cleetwood, and Munson Valley. Alternative A: Enhance Resource Protection and Visitors' Appreciation of the Park (Proposed Action) Alternative A is a blend of actions intended to improve the protection of park resources while providing an enjoyable visitor experience. Proposals would enhance educational and interpretive opportunities to promote better visitor understanding, appreciation, and preservation of Crater Lake. NPS interpretive services would be emphasized, commercial services would be modified to better serve visitors, and some historic structures would be used more as they were initially intended. There would be minor, short-term adverse natural resource impacts at Rim Village, Mazama Village, and Cleetwood as a result of construction activities. Long-term natural resource impacts at these areas would be insignificant; less than 1 acre of vegetation and wildlife habitat would be lost. Actions at Rim Village would generally benefit the designed landscape of the historic district. The addition of a visitor contact station and the removal and revegetation of the parking lot along the rim edge would have a minor effect on cultural resources; however, there would be beneficial impacts on several historic structures as a result of the restoration / rehabilitation of the comfort stations, Kiser Studio, Sinnott Memorial, cafeteria, and the community house. No impacts on historic resources would be expected at other areas. Visitors would benefit from enhanced information and interpretive opportunities at the three aforementioned areas. The addition of a visitor contact station, restoration of the exhibit space in the Sinnott Memorial and the rehabilitation of the community house and Kiser Studio would all benefit the visitor experience at Rim Village. A modification in concession services at Rim Village coupled with redesign of some of the parking and road alignments would reduce congestion and facilitate pedestrian movement in the area. Visitors would continue to have opportunities for fine dining and overnight lodging at Crater Lake Lodge. The relocation of the restaurant and some retail merchandising services to Mazama Village coupled with the addition of a deli/fast food service at Rim Village would benefit visitors by providing these services in a couple of locations. Returning the cafeteria building to its 1928 configuration and appearance would benefit the designed landscape of iii SUMMARY the potentially eligible historic district. The relocation of the amphitheater to a more central location in the Mazama Village campground and the construction of an information kiosk would enhance visitor information and interpretive services at Mazama Village. Visitors seeking lodging and other services would benefit from the continued operation of the Mazama Village Motor Inn, a new restaurant, and enhanced sale items at the Mazama Village store. At Cleetwood, visitors would benefit from increased interpretation through more signs on the rim and lakeside and along the trail. Congestion would be relieved to a large degree through better scheduling and a slight reduction from current tour numbers, as well as through the restriping of the parking lot. The development of visitor and operational structures adjacent to the rim and lakeside could have adverse visual impacts. However, these impacts would be minimized through appropriate design. Boat tours would continue, which would benefit some visitors while adversely affecting the pristine lake viewing experience sought by others. This would be partially mitigated by retaining "no boat use hours" during early morning and late afternoon hours. Visitors taking the boat tour would benefit from interpretation on the boat and at Wizard Island. Alternative B: No Action The National Park Service would continue to provide existing services and facilities at established developed areas. Any facilities currently being developed in the park would be completed. There would be no significant changes to the natural resources at the park as a result of the no-action alternative. Current impacts on vegetation, soils, and geology at the developed areas would continue. At Rim Village certain significant elements of the historic designed landscape (e.g., community house and Kiser Studio) would continue to deteriorate, which could adversely affect the potentially eligible historic district. No impacts on historic resources would be expected at other areas. The visitor experience at Rim Village would remain the same. Visitors would continue to be adversely affected by vehicle and pedestrian congestion at the parking areas, and people seeking a visitor contact station would continue to have to rely on the undersized Kiser Studio, which is difficult to find. Visitors would continue to benefit from opportunities to purchase groceries or to eat at the restaurant or cafeteria. Visitors would also continue to have opportunities for fine dining and overnight lodging at Crater Lake Lodge. Overall, the visitor experience at Mazama Village would remain the same. Visitors would continue to benefit from opportunities to purchase food, other merchandise, and gasoline at the Mazama Village store. Visitors would also continue to benefit from opportunities to shower and do laundry. Seasonal lodging would continue to be available at the Mazama Village Motor Inn, which would benefit visitors seeking overnight accommodations. Visitors would continue to be inconvenienced by the lack of an information kiosk at Mazama Village. The visitor experience would remain the same at Cleetwood as would the level and types of services. However, an increase in the capacity of the parking lot from restriping could help reduce parking deficiencies during busy summer days. Some visitors would continue to benefit from opportunities to see the lake by boat and to receive NPS interpretation. The tour boats would continue to adversely affect the pristine lake viewing experience sought by others. The unattractive seasonal structure would remain at the trailhead, and visitors would continue to be exposed to inclement weather at the lakeshore. Visitors at Munson Valley would continue to benefit from opportunities for NPS contact and interpretive walks. iv Summary Alternative C: Provide Opportunities for Self-directed Visitor Experiences Alternative C would offer a more self-directed visitor experience that would be less facility-dependent and less structured than at present. Visitors would be able to travel to various park features and obtain onsite interpretation. There would be minor, short-term adverse natural resource impacts at Rim Village, Mazama Village, and Cleetwood as a result of construction activities. However, there would be long-term beneficial impacts with the restoration of 1.8 acres of vegetation and wildlife habitat. Returning the Rim Village cafeteria building to its 1928 appearance and configuration would benefit the historic designed landscape of the potentially eligible historic district. The elimination of much of the existing parking would have an adverse effect on the designed landscape. No impacts on historic resources would be expected at other areas. Visitors at Rim Village would benefit from a less congested experience, better opportunities for NPS contact, and increased interpretation. Most visitors would be inconvenienced by the relocation of a significant portion of food and merchandise services to Mazama Village. Overall, interpretive opportunities would remain the same at Mazama Village; however, visitors would benefit from improved orientation at a new self-service kiosk. The effects of expanding selections at the Mazama Village store and removing the shower and laundry facilities would vary depending on the individual. Many visitors would be inconvenienced by the elimination of these services and the moderately priced lodging. Eliminating boat tours at Cleetwood would adversely affect visitors seeking this type of experience. Also lost would be opportunities for visitors to see the caldera up close and to receive NPS interpretation while on the lake. However, many other visitors would benefit because the pristine lake environment would be enhanced. Alternative D: Offer a Variety of NPS and Commercial Visitor Services Under alternative D a variety of commercial visitor services would be offered, and interpretive services provided by the National Park Service would be enhanced. There would be minor, short-term adverse natural resource impacts at Rim Village, Mazama Village, and Cleetwood as a result of construction activities. Long-term natural resource impacts at these areas would be relatively insignificant; there would be a loss of 10.2 acres of vegetation and wildlife habitat. Removing the cafeteria and the community house, constructing a new visitor contact facility, removing Rim Village Drive and its rustic stone curbing, developing a new access road from the visitor center to the lodge, and constructing a small parking lot behind the visitor contact station and a new parking lot off the rim would have adverse impacts on historic resources at Rim Village. Increased orientation and interpretation, the addition of a visitor contact station, restoration of the exhibit space in the Sinnott Memorial, and rehabilitation of the Kiser Studio would all benefit the visitor experience at Rim Village. A reduction in concession services at Rim Village coupled with redesign of some of the parking and road alignments would slightly reduce congestion and facilitate pedestrian movement in the area. Visitors would also benefit from more open space with the removal of the community house and cafeteria building. Visitors would also be able to rent recreation equipment out of the new facility. At Mazama Village visitors would benefit from improved orientation and a new self-service kiosk, and the relocated amphitheater would provide visitors with v SUMMARY easier access to programs. Visitors seeking lodging would benefit from the continued operation of the Mazama Village Motor Inn, the development of 40 new year-round lodging units, and the addition of two group sites at the campground. Visitors would also benefit from a new year-round cafeteria and the continued provision of food and merchandise sales and services at the camper store. The addition of rental equipment at the Mazama Village store would also benefit visitors. Restriping the parking lot at Cleetwood would alleviate parking deficiencies to some degree. Development along the rim and the lakeside, including two new structures, a shade facility, and a new dock and bulkhead, would have adverse visual impacts. However these impacts would be minimized through appropriate design. Boat tours would continue, which would benefit some visitors while adversely affecting the pristine lake viewing experience sought by others. Improvements to the trailhead and the trail, including the installation of a metal staircase prior to the slide chute, would improve visitor safety. Visitors would benefit from increased interpretation through more exhibits on the rim and lakeside and along the trail. Visitors taking boat tours would benefit from interpretation on the boat and at Wizard Island. Alternative E: Focus Visitor Facilities at Rim Village Alternative E would offer the kinds and levels of visitor services and facilities presented in the Record of Decision for the 1995 Development Concept Plan /Environmental Impact Statement. This alternative is aimed at making the park a destination for extended visitor use. The main focus of visitor services, experiences, and facility development would be at Rim Village. There would be minor, short-term adverse natural resource impacts at Rim Village, Mazama Village, and Cleetwood as a result of construction. Long-term natural resource impacts at these areas would be relatively insignificant; there would be the loss of 8.3 acres of vegetation and wildlife habitat. Historic resources in the potentially eligible Rim Village Historic District would be adversely affected by the development of a new activity center at Rim Village, the construction of a new access road that would connect the parking structures with the lodge, and the removal of the community house, cafeteria building, and historic comfort stations. Visitors at Rim Village would benefit from more activities, a full range of services, and increased levels of interpretation at a new activity center. Crater Lake Lodge would continue to provide seasonal overnight accommodations and fine dining. Vehicle congestion at Rim Village would be greatly reduced; however, some visitors might be adversely affected by increased levels of pedestrian traffic, which would probably result from the concentration of activities and services. The visitor experience at Mazama Village would be the same as in alternative D expect there would be a new restaurant instead of a new cafeteria. Enlarging and restriping the parking lot at Cleetwood would somewhat alleviate parking deficiencies and would eliminate parking along Rim Drive. Development along the rim and the lakeside, including new permanent structures for visitors and operations could have adverse visual impacts. However these impacts would be minimized through appropriate design. Boat tours would continue, which would benefit some visitors while adversely affecting the pristine lake viewing experience sought by others. Improvements to the trailhead and trail would benefit visitors by making both areas more visually appealing and safer. Visitors would benefit from increased interpretation through more exhibits on the rim and lakeside and along the trail. Visitors taking boat tours would benefit from interpretation on the boat and Wizard Island. vi Summary The Next Step The public review and comment period for this draft document will be 45 days. Comments on the draft plan will be summarized, and appropriate changes will be made to the document to respond to public comments. Various elements of the proposed action and other alternatives might be modified to address comments. A Final Visitor Services Plan / Environmental Impact Statement will then be issued, which will become an approved plan 30 days after a record of decision is issued. The final plan will include agency and organization letters and responses to all substantive comments. vii
SUMMARY The current 30-year concession contract at Crater Lake National Park expired in October 1997, and a new contract must be established for the provision of commercial services. The purpose of this Draft Visitor Services Plan / Environmental Impact Statement is to help the park define optimal levels and kinds of services and to set the terms for the new concession contract. This plan will also guide general levels and locations of interpretive services. The final plan will set the future direction for the new long-term concession contract and NPS interpretive services at Crater Lake National Park. This document addresses the issues and concerns that were raised by the National Park Service and that were subsequently identified in response to public scoping and alternatives newsletters and through meetings with organizations and individuals. The issues and concerns include cultural and natural resource protection and the appropriate level and type of NPS and commercial visitor services and facilities. This plan presents five alternatives, including a proposed action and no-action alternative, for visitor use and resource protection in the four main developed areas of the park — Rim Village, Mazama Village, Cleetwood, and Munson Valley. Alternative A: Enhance Resource Protection and Visitors' Appreciation of the Park (Proposed Action) Alternative A is a blend of actions intended to improve the protection of park resources while providing an enjoyable visitor experience. Proposals would enhance educational and interpretive opportunities to promote better visitor understanding, appreciation, and preservation of Crater Lake. NPS interpretive services would be emphasized, commercial services would be modified to better serve visitors, and some historic structures would be used more as they were initially intended. There would be minor, short-term adverse natural resource impacts at Rim Village, Mazama Village, and Cleetwood as a result of construction activities. Long-term natural resource impacts at these areas would be insignificant; less than 1 acre of vegetation and wildlife habitat would be lost. Actions at Rim Village would generally benefit the designed landscape of the historic district. The addition of a visitor contact station and the removal and revegetation of the parking lot along the rim edge would have a minor effect on cultural resources; however, there would be beneficial impacts on several historic structures as a result of the restoration / rehabilitation of the comfort stations, Kiser Studio, Sinnott Memorial, cafeteria, and the community house. No impacts on historic resources would be expected at other areas. Visitors would benefit from enhanced information and interpretive opportunities at the three aforementioned areas. The addition of a visitor contact station, restoration of the exhibit space in the Sinnott Memorial and the rehabilitation of the community house and Kiser Studio would all benefit the visitor experience at Rim Village. A modification in concession services at Rim Village coupled with redesign of some of the parking and road alignments would reduce congestion and facilitate pedestrian movement in the area. Visitors would continue to have opportunities for fine dining and overnight lodging at Crater Lake Lodge. The relocation of the restaurant and some retail merchandising services to Mazama Village coupled with the addition of a deli/fast food service at Rim Village would benefit visitors by providing these services in a couple of locations. Returning the cafeteria building to its 1928 configuration and appearance would benefit the designed landscape of iii SUMMARY the potentially eligible historic district. The relocation of the amphitheater to a more central location in the Mazama Village campground and the construction of an information kiosk would enhance visitor information and interpretive services at Mazama Village. Visitors seeking lodging and other services would benefit from the continued operation of the Mazama Village Motor Inn, a new restaurant, and enhanced sale items at the Mazama Village store. At Cleetwood, visitors would benefit from increased interpretation through more signs on the rim and lakeside and along the trail. Congestion would be relieved to a large degree through better scheduling and a slight reduction from current tour numbers, as well as through the restriping of the parking lot. The development of visitor and operational structures adjacent to the rim and lakeside could have adverse visual impacts. However, these impacts would be minimized through appropriate design. Boat tours would continue, which would benefit some visitors while adversely affecting the pristine lake viewing experience sought by others. This would be partially mitigated by retaining "no boat use hours" during early morning and late afternoon hours. Visitors taking the boat tour would benefit from interpretation on the boat and at Wizard Island. Alternative B: No Action The National Park Service would continue to provide existing services and facilities at established developed areas. Any facilities currently being developed in the park would be completed. There would be no significant changes to the natural resources at the park as a result of the no-action alternative. Current impacts on vegetation, soils, and geology at the developed areas would continue. At Rim Village certain significant elements of the historic designed landscape (e.g., community house and Kiser Studio) would continue to deteriorate, which could adversely affect the potentially eligible historic district. No impacts on historic resources would be expected at other areas. The visitor experience at Rim Village would remain the same. Visitors would continue to be adversely affected by vehicle and pedestrian congestion at the parking areas, and people seeking a visitor contact station would continue to have to rely on the undersized Kiser Studio, which is difficult to find. Visitors would continue to benefit from opportunities to purchase groceries or to eat at the restaurant or cafeteria. Visitors would also continue to have opportunities for fine dining and overnight lodging at Crater Lake Lodge. Overall, the visitor experience at Mazama Village would remain the same. Visitors would continue to benefit from opportunities to purchase food, other merchandise, and gasoline at the Mazama Village store. Visitors would also continue to benefit from opportunities to shower and do laundry. Seasonal lodging would continue to be available at the Mazama Village Motor Inn, which would benefit visitors seeking overnight accommodations. Visitors would continue to be inconvenienced by the lack of an information kiosk at Mazama Village. The visitor experience would remain the same at Cleetwood as would the level and types of services. However, an increase in the capacity of the parking lot from restriping could help reduce parking deficiencies during busy summer days. Some visitors would continue to benefit from opportunities to see the lake by boat and to receive NPS interpretation. The tour boats would continue to adversely affect the pristine lake viewing experience sought by others. The unattractive seasonal structure would remain at the trailhead, and visitors would continue to be exposed to inclement weather at the lakeshore. Visitors at Munson Valley would continue to benefit from opportunities for NPS contact and interpretive walks. iv Summary Alternative C: Provide Opportunities for Self-directed Visitor Experiences Alternative C would offer a more self-directed visitor experience that would be less facility-dependent and less structured than at present. Visitors would be able to travel to various park features and obtain onsite interpretation. There would be minor, short-term adverse natural resource impacts at Rim Village, Mazama Village, and Cleetwood as a result of construction activities. However, there would be long-term beneficial impacts with the restoration of 1.8 acres of vegetation and wildlife habitat. Returning the Rim Village cafeteria building to its 1928 appearance and configuration would benefit the historic designed landscape of the potentially eligible historic district. The elimination of much of the existing parking would have an adverse effect on the designed landscape. No impacts on historic resources would be expected at other areas. Visitors at Rim Village would benefit from a less congested experience, better opportunities for NPS contact, and increased interpretation. Most visitors would be inconvenienced by the relocation of a significant portion of food and merchandise services to Mazama Village. Overall, interpretive opportunities would remain the same at Mazama Village; however, visitors would benefit from improved orientation at a new self-service kiosk. The effects of expanding selections at the Mazama Village store and removing the shower and laundry facilities would vary depending on the individual. Many visitors would be inconvenienced by the elimination of these services and the moderately priced lodging. Eliminating boat tours at Cleetwood would adversely affect visitors seeking this type of experience. Also lost would be opportunities for visitors to see the caldera up close and to receive NPS interpretation while on the lake. However, many other visitors would benefit because the pristine lake environment would be enhanced. Alternative D: Offer a Variety of NPS and Commercial Visitor Services Under alternative D a variety of commercial visitor services would be offered, and interpretive services provided by the National Park Service would be enhanced. There would be minor, short-term adverse natural resource impacts at Rim Village, Mazama Village, and Cleetwood as a result of construction activities. Long-term natural resource impacts at these areas would be relatively insignificant; there would be a loss of 10.2 acres of vegetation and wildlife habitat. Removing the cafeteria and the community house, constructing a new visitor contact facility, removing Rim Village Drive and its rustic stone curbing, developing a new access road from the visitor center to the lodge, and constructing a small parking lot behind the visitor contact station and a new parking lot off the rim would have adverse impacts on historic resources at Rim Village. Increased orientation and interpretation, the addition of a visitor contact station, restoration of the exhibit space in the Sinnott Memorial, and rehabilitation of the Kiser Studio would all benefit the visitor experience at Rim Village. A reduction in concession services at Rim Village coupled with redesign of some of the parking and road alignments would slightly reduce congestion and facilitate pedestrian movement in the area. Visitors would also benefit from more open space with the removal of the community house and cafeteria building. Visitors would also be able to rent recreation equipment out of the new facility. At Mazama Village visitors would benefit from improved orientation and a new self-service kiosk, and the relocated amphitheater would provide visitors with v SUMMARY easier access to programs. Visitors seeking lodging would benefit from the continued operation of the Mazama Village Motor Inn, the development of 40 new year-round lodging units, and the addition of two group sites at the campground. Visitors would also benefit from a new year-round cafeteria and the continued provision of food and merchandise sales and services at the camper store. The addition of rental equipment at the Mazama Village store would also benefit visitors. Restriping the parking lot at Cleetwood would alleviate parking deficiencies to some degree. Development along the rim and the lakeside, including two new structures, a shade facility, and a new dock and bulkhead, would have adverse visual impacts. However these impacts would be minimized through appropriate design. Boat tours would continue, which would benefit some visitors while adversely affecting the pristine lake viewing experience sought by others. Improvements to the trailhead and the trail, including the installation of a metal staircase prior to the slide chute, would improve visitor safety. Visitors would benefit from increased interpretation through more exhibits on the rim and lakeside and along the trail. Visitors taking boat tours would benefit from interpretation on the boat and at Wizard Island. Alternative E: Focus Visitor Facilities at Rim Village Alternative E would offer the kinds and levels of visitor services and facilities presented in the Record of Decision for the 1995 Development Concept Plan /Environmental Impact Statement. This alternative is aimed at making the park a destination for extended visitor use. The main focus of visitor services, experiences, and facility development would be at Rim Village. There would be minor, short-term adverse natural resource impacts at Rim Village, Mazama Village, and Cleetwood as a result of construction. Long-term natural resource impacts at these areas would be relatively insignificant; there would be the loss of 8.3 acres of vegetation and wildlife habitat. Historic resources in the potentially eligible Rim Village Historic District would be adversely affected by the development of a new activity center at Rim Village, the construction of a new access road that would connect the parking structures with the lodge, and the removal of the community house, cafeteria building, and historic comfort stations. Visitors at Rim Village would benefit from more activities, a full range of services, and increased levels of interpretation at a new activity center. Crater Lake Lodge would continue to provide seasonal overnight accommodations and fine dining. Vehicle congestion at Rim Village would be greatly reduced; however, some visitors might be adversely affected by increased levels of pedestrian traffic, which would probably result from the concentration of activities and services. The visitor experience at Mazama Village would be the same as in alternative D expect there would be a new restaurant instead of a new cafeteria. Enlarging and restriping the parking lot at Cleetwood would somewhat alleviate parking deficiencies and would eliminate parking along Rim Drive. Development along the rim and the lakeside, including new permanent structures for visitors and operations could have adverse visual impacts. However these impacts would be minimized through appropriate design. Boat tours would continue, which would benefit some visitors while adversely affecting the pristine lake viewing experience sought by others. Improvements to the trailhead and trail would benefit visitors by making both areas more visually appealing and safer. Visitors would benefit from increased interpretation through more exhibits on the rim and lakeside and along the trail. Visitors taking boat tours would benefit from interpretation on the boat and Wizard Island. vi Summary The Next Step The public review and comment period for this draft document will be 45 days. Comments on the draft plan will be summarized, and appropriate changes will be made to the document to respond to public comments. Various elements of the proposed action and other alternatives might be modified to address comments. A Final Visitor Services Plan / Environmental Impact Statement will then be issued, which will become an approved plan 30 days after a record of decision is issued. The final plan will include agency and organization letters and responses to all substantive comments. vii