[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 241 (Tuesday, December 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 65819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32798]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Visitor Services Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Crater Lake 
National Park, Oregon

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190 as amended), the National Park Service 
(NPS), Department of the Interior, has prepared a draft environmental 
impact statement (DEIS) assessing the potential impacts of the proposed 
Visitor Services Plan for Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. Once 
approved, the plan will guide the management and use of the developed 
areas of the park.
    The alternatives presented in the DEIS define appropriate levels 
and kinds of visitor services and set the basis for a new concession 
contract. Alternative A (the proposed action) is a mix of proposals 
that are intended to protect park resources and enhance the visitor 
experience. Educational and interpretive opportunities would be 
enhanced 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. Alternative B (no action) would continue the 
existing conditions at the park and would allow for the completion of 
any facilities currently under construction. Alternative C would offer 
a more self-directed visitor experience that would be less facility-
dependent and less structured than at present. Alternative D would 
enhance interpretation and provide a wider variety of commercial and 
NPS visitor services. Alternative E is primarily based on the planning 
direction presented in the Record of Decision for the 1995 Development 
Concept Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, and would concentrate 
visitor facilities at Rim Village.
    The environmental consequences of the proposed action and the 
alternatives are fully documented, and mitigation provided as 
appropriate to minimize impacts.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the DEIS will be available for 
public inspection at the park. Requests for copies of the DEIS should 
be directed to the Superintendent, Crater Lake National Park, P.O. Box 
7, Crater Lake, Oregon 97064 or by telephone at (541) 594-2211. Written 
comments on the draft plan should also be directed to the 
Superintendent at the above address and must be received by January 26, 
1998. All review comments received will become part of the public 
record and copies of comments, including names, addresses and telephone 
numbers provided by respondents, may be released for public inspection.

    Dated: December 3, 1997.
Cynthia R. Young,
Chief, Resource Planning, Denver Service Center, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32798 Filed 12-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P