Lava Beds National Monument General Management Plan National Park Service Newsletter 2, July 2007 U.S. Department of the Interior Public Comments on Lava Beds National Monument Planning Eff ort

Contents This newsletter includes:

■ Letter from the Superintendent ■ What We Heard from You: A summary of comments we received during the scoping period of the General Management Plan. ■ How will my comments be addressed in the GMP? ■ Next Steps ■ Contact Information

your comments you can review the summary Dave Kruse is Appointed New Letter from the Superintendent: Dear Friends, Superintendent at Lava Beds to see if we adequately captured your National Monument In May 2006 our fi rst newsletter announced thoughts. Please let us know if you have any the opportunity for you and our other additional issues that you think are important As of April 2007, David F. Kruse, a 27-year partners to participate in a General but you may not have commented on. We veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), Management Plan eff ort. We proudly want to have everyone’s input. became the new Superintendent of Lava announced that the 1996 Lava Beds General Beds National Monument. Kruse replaces Management Plan had been implemented The written comments and public workshops Craig Dorman who retired in January 2007. and it was now time to again ask our friends, generated a great deal of important partners and visitors to work with us on information, and provided a diverse range planning a new future for the park. When of issues and suggestions. Consultation with Goodbye from Former completed, the General Management Plan stakeholder organizations also revealed Superintendent Craig Dorman will serve as a blue print that will guide the important considerations. All of the input we I want to thank all of the park’s partners, park in areas of management, development have received is being carefully considered. visitors and friends for their support over and public programming for the next twenty In the next phase of the planning eff ort we the past 13 years that I have served here. years. We requested input from you on will be pulling together all of the input we Much has been accomplished but much specifi c issues that you would like to see received to develop a range of preliminary also remains to be done. I will miss the park considered during the planning process. management alternatives which will be and each of you and I leave knowing that The newsletter was followed by three presented for your review and comment later the park is in good hands. The monument is public workshops that gathered input on this year. a wonderful place. development, park importance and related Sincerely, issues of interest to you. Many interested Sincerely, citizens and groups provided us with valuable information, suggestions and concerns.

We would like to thank you for taking the Craig Dorman time to provide comments. This newsletter Dave Kruse summarizes the many comments we received so far in this process. If you provided us with

Lava Beds National Monument General Management Plan ■ Newsletter #2 ■ July 2007 Lava Beds National Monument What We Heard from You Foundation Statement

Park Purpose: Lava Beds National The Lava Beds National Monument We received very positive responses to the Monument protects and interprets volcanic General Management Plan (GMP) draft statements presented. They appear and natural features of scientifi c interest, and team launched the planning process to capture what you value and fi nd most evidence of prehistoric and historic human in May 2006. The team produced and important about the Lava Beds: the caves settlement, use, and confl ict. mailed newsletters announcing the start and other geologic features, the history of the GMP to 145 organizations and conveyed (Modoc War, Native American Lava Beds National Monument is individuals on the park mailing list. Over history, settlement), the landscape, the nationally signifi cant because: 1,000 newsletter copies were printed for undeveloped character of the park, the ■ Lava Beds National Monument protects distribution at the park visitor center and in wilderness, the plant communities, wildlife, and interprets one of the largest local communities. Three public meetings and the rock art. Many of you also value concentrations of lava tube caves in were held in: Klamath Falls, OR (June the opportunity to explore on your own the continental U.S., along with unique 5); Tulelake, CA (June 7); and Yreka, CA and the educational opportunities that environments and cave-dependent (June 8). Throughout the scoping period, Lava Beds provides. While the comments species. park representatives gave presentations were generally in agreement with the draft ■ Lava Beds National Monument protects about the GMP to local communities, statements, one commenter suggested that and interprets objects, sites, and the organizations and agencies. the stories related to park purpose and rugged volcanic setting associated with signifi cance should be connected to their the 1872-73 Modoc War. The following summary captures the larger area of interest, e.g. the Great Basin, ■ Lava Beds National Monument contains diverse range of issues raised during the Medicine Lake Volcano, and the tribal archeological evidence of human scoping period through public meetings, territory of the Modoc. occupation extending back to the letters, comment forms, stakeholder Holocene (11,000 years to present), meetings and internal National Park Summary of Issues for the exceptional rock art consisting of Service meetings. General Management Plan regionally-distinctive petroglyphs and The following section includes a summary pictographs, and a setting of continued Comments on Park Purpose and signifi cance to Modoc people as a part of of issues and concerns raised during Signifi cance – What you value their traditional homeland. the scoping period, organized by topic. In our fi rst newsletter, we asked you Issues that received the greatest number ■ Lava Beds National Monument protects for comments on park purpose and and interprets outstanding, diverse, of comments include: ideas about visitor abundant, and well preserved lava signifi cance statements, the “foundation education programs and interpretation fl ows, cinder cones, spatter cones, Maar statement.” The foundation statement opportunities; support for protection of volcanoes, and other volcanic features establishes why the monument was cultural and natural resources; an emphasis associated with the Medicine Lake shield created and why it is nationally signifi cant. on working with surrounding agencies, volcano. Understanding what’s most important tribes and communities; preserving the

■ Lava Beds National Monument provides about a park is a key fi rst step in the undeveloped character of the park; and a wilderness experience in the unique planning process. ideas for visitor services such as camping. volcanic landscape of the Great Basin and Cascade ecosystems.

■ Lava Beds National Monument protects and manages native plant and animal species and processes representative of the transition zone for Great Basin and Cascade ecosystems.

Other Important Resources and Values Lava Beds National Monument contains sites and resources associated with homesteading and ranching, early cave exploration and use, the Civilian Conservation Corps and war on the home front.

Cave Tour at Lava Beds. Wildfl owers along Missing Link Trail.

2 ■ Lava Beds National Monument General Management Plan ■ Newsletter #2 A Summary of What We Heard From You

Access and Transportation Collections/Museum Management ■ Prevent junipers from encroaching on the Comments include concerns about access Comments on collections and museum Modoc War historic landscape. to services given the park’s remote location; artifacts focus on a desire to see more Native ■ Improve protection of the rock art at road conditions; transportation options; American and Modoc War artifacts displayed Petroglyph Point. Suggestions include: providing access for visitors with disabilities; at the visitor center. increase security; protect the rock art from erosion; remove chain link fence and access to caves; and providing information ■ More artifacts should be displayed at the replace with a clear wall/barrier; build an to visitors before they enter the park. Visitors visitor center like at the old one. interpretive center; route road around value the opportunity to explore the park ■ The park needs someone to manage the Petroglyph Point. independently without many restrictions. artifact collections. Specifi c comments include: Education and Interpretation ■ Cultural Resources/Historical Sites There is a lack of facilities/services The majority of comments received outside the park to support one’s stay (e.g. and Artifacts during scoping call for increased visitor food, lodging, showers, and groceries). The preservation and protection of sensitive education programs and opportunities for Suggestions include providing services at cultural and historical resources is a concern, interpretation. Some comments suggest more Tulelake or Tionesta and providing more particularly at Petroglyph Point, a site isolated focus on specifi c types of interpretation, while signage to direct visitors to where services from the rest of Lava Beds. Comments others call for an expansion in programs. exist. also indicate interest in improving the ■ Provide visitor information and interpretation of cultural resources related ■ Expand education programs, both within orientation at the north end of the park. to the pre-settlement landscape, settlement and outside of Lava Beds to ensure that ■ Use a radio station to provide visitors with history, the Modoc War, and Native American existing and future generations of park information before they arrive. history and pre-history. visitors will have an understanding and appreciation of the park resources. ■ Improve road access from the south and ■ Include standards and guidelines for ■ Develop better education and the east. preserving and protecting historic sites understanding of the geology and the ■ Consider removing underutilized roads and artifacts. landscape. Ideas for new visitor center for restoration or new trails. ■ Develop educational programs that exhibits were provided. ■ Alternative transportation options should increase visitor understanding of historical ■ Provide more interpretation of rock art, be considered. and archeological resources. wildlife, native plants, Modoc War history, ■ Limit access to the cave loop to reduce ■ Protect rock art from graffi ti and vandalism. Modoc history and modern peoples, vandalism. ■ Focus on sites related to early settlers (e.g. local history (homesteading) and volcanic ■ Provide more opportunities for physically Caldwell, Heppe, Merrill). features. challenged visitors. ■ Implement the Fern Cave closure. ■ Lava Beds provides a unique opportunity where people can go into caves independently. ■ Lava Beds lacks adequate points of access such as turnouts and roadside parking areas, and trailheads.

Park Boundary/Adjacent Lands Creating connections to areas outside of the monument were suggested.

■ Additional areas of the Medicine Lake highlands and volcano could be considered for addition to the park. ■ Incorporate the Tule Lake Segregation Center.

Artifacts at Lava Beds Visitor Center. School group at Lava Beds.

Lava Beds National Monument General Management Plan ■ Newsletter #2 ■ 3 A Summary of What We Heard From You, continued

■ Conduct reenactments of the Modoc War. ■ Value the undeveloped nature. ■ The caves should remain places for ■ Develop an accurate history of Lava Beds ■ Do not build new facilities/ do not want to undeveloped exploration. and Tule Lake. see the park commercialized. ■ Preserve the landscape and network of ■ Expand interpretation on a regional level. ■ Create an entrance station that provides mostly undeveloped caves. Coordinate with other agencies, local an overview of the “Army Camp” and ■ Do not gate anymore caves. communities, Volcanic Scenic Byway Lava Beds. ■ Changes in the water table may impact groups, and the Klamath Tribes. ■ Need more housing for staff . Lava Beds is caves and biological resources associated ■ Connect Lava Beds with the Tule Lake remote and it is hard to recruit staff . with caves. Segregation Center. The stories of the ■ The new visitor center should include Modoc and the Japanese are parallel tales. more artifacts and exhibits. Environmental Impacts ■ Develop more interpretive panels for trails ■ Expand the visitor center. Comments suggest various impacts that and caves. ■ Use green building technology, sustainable should be assessed in the environmental ■ Better signage and interpretation is waste management, and electric vehicles. impact analysis that will accompany the needed on the eastern end. ■ Provide more bathrooms. General Management Plan. Topics include: ■ Provide alternative interpretation ■ Expand the gift shop. ■ Spread of invasive species. mechanisms for inaccessible sites (e.g. ■ ■ Western juniper encroachment on the photos of caves on the website, install web Provide food services: restaurant, café, Modoc War historic landscape. cams, and create visitor center displays on concessions. bat populations). ■ Road impacts on Petroglyph Point. ■ Provide more rangers to create Geological Resources ■ Overfl ights and other noise and visual opportunities for more direct visitor Most comments on geological resources pertain impacts. contact. to management of the caves. Other comments ■ Changes in air quality/visibility. ■ Develop audio tours or radio tours for recommend ways to emphasize the importance ■ Impacts of management decisions of visitors. of geology to the signifi cance of Lava Beds. neighboring agencies. ■ The geological signifi cance could be better ■ Impacts of changing water tables on cave Park Facilities highlighted (e. g. features related to the resources. The undeveloped character of Lava Beds is Medicine Lake Volcano). ■ Eff ects of global warming. highly valued. Visitors enjoy the fact that they ■ Value the eff ort that the monument has ■ Impacts on vegetation of crowding at the can explore freely. Many do not want to see made in working with the cave exploration campground. new facilities here. Others suggest additional community to expand the park’s collective ■ Impacts of adjacent land use such as facilities including employee housing, a knowledge. agriculture, logging, fi re suppression, ■ northern entrance station, more bathrooms, Make one cave accessible for physically utilities, geothermal exploration. and food services. challenged park users, keep all others natural.

Picnic table built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Protecting cave resources. Lava Beds Visitor Center. Fire Management.

4 ■ Lava Beds National Monument General Management Plan ■ Newsletter #2 A Summary of What We Heard From You, continued

Natural Resources Park Operations ■ Encourage more tribal involvement Comments related to natural resources Comments address needs for park staffi ng; through providing jobs at the park, address the following topics: use of fi re maintenance; law enforcement and security. concessions opportunities, and management; control of invasive plants; participation in archeological surveys. ■ Increase ranger patrol to provide more ■ Consider connecting the park to the Tule and protection of native plants and wildlife. security for the caves, petroglyph point Lake Segregation Center. This would Natural resource protection is a priority. and the campground. tie together themes such as reclamation, ■ Resource conservation should take ■ Provide cleaner bathrooms. homesteading, homefront/internment. priority over new development. ■ Staff turnover is a problem at Lava Beds. ■ Encourage fi eldtrips by groups who ■ Increase visitor understanding and They develop the knowledge base and appreciate your resources (e.g. California awareness of wildlife and ecosystem then leave to work at another park. Native Plant Society). processes. ■ Lava Beds needs more staff for protecting ■ Do not treat the park like an island. Work ■ Consider the eff ects of global warming. resources and educating visitors. to create cooperation between the park Increasing staff would enhance the visitor ■ Identify the aspects of the park that are and its neighbors. critical for monitoring. experience. ■ Keep services such as showers and hotels ■ It is diffi cult to recruit staff given the park’s ■ Need to comprehensively manage exotic in the town of Tulelake. species and native vegetation. remote location. Housing is a limiting ■ Work with local communities and factor in attracting staff . ■ Recognize fi re as a normal process organizations to do regional promotion ■ Local community members would like to necessary for restoration of natural (e.g. create week-long tour packages, be more involved. However, staff does not vegetative communities. retreat opportunities). have time to develop a volunteer program. ■ Propose ways to minimize the impact ■ Continue cooperation with parties doing ■ A seasonal ranger is needed for the of fi re-suppression activities when it is volunteer work within the park and across summer busy season. necessary to fi ght arson and accidental the Klamath Basin. ■ Identify locations for helicopter landing blazes. ■ Increased partnerships with local schools zones in the backcountry. ■ Research is needed to understand the would inspire a new generation to protect eff ects of fi re on archeological resources. ■ Given the small existing staff and the our National Parks. distance from park headquarters, what ■ Exotic plant management should be a ■ There is a lack of cohesiveness among the role could the park have at the Tule Lake priority including measures to minimize federal agencies in the region. Segregation Center? the spread of weeds. ■ The agencies should coordinate on: ■ Include standards and guidelines for Regional Partnerships and restoration goals; trails and waysides; identifying and protecting sensitive plant Cooperation management of Route 10; interpretive species. Comments encourage Lava Beds to explore materials; data sharing; cave protection; ■ Reintroduce extirpated species (e.g. regional partnerships with local communities, gateway services, camping and RV services, and fi re management. bighorn sheep population). organizations and agencies to protect resources, provide visitor information and ■ Consider sharing offi ces and facilities with Public Involvement services, and in interpreting regional themes. other agencies to collaborate and share resources. Comments provide suggestions for outreach and public participation in the GMP process. Comments also include off ers to assist Lava Beds in the distribution of park information and in the development of interpretive displays.

■ Would like to be able to submit comments through a website. The comment form has limited space for comments. ■ Suggestions for additional GMP outreach include attending meetings of local community groups and organizations, attending community festivals and providing information at local stores.

Pika. Schonchin Butte.

Lava Beds National Monument General Management Plan ■ Newsletter #2 ■ 5 A Summary of What We Heard From You, continued

Tribal Use/Issues Visitor Services and Use Trails: Concerns include the importance of Lava Comments on visitor services and use include ■ Trail development is a priority. Beds as part of tribal history and culture, suggestions for visitor contact facilities, ■ No more trails to the lava tubes. opportunities for tribal involvement with the campground facilities and trail improvements. ■ Provide more loop trails and make more park, opportunities for greater education of General comments visitor services and use: trail connections to features within the park. the park’s environmental and cultural history, ■ Need more of a presence at the north end. ■ Remove backcountry roads and create and protection of sensitive resources. ■ Create an interagency roadside area/ more trails. ■ Lava Beds is part of the Klamath and contact station. ■ Consider equestrian use but also consider Modoc people’s aboriginal territory and ■ Get people away from their cars more its potential impacts on biodiversity and continues to play a signifi cant role in tribal often and for longer periods of time. restoration. cultural history. ■ $10 per week entrance fee is inexpensive. ■ Allow dogs on-leash to be on trails ■ Encourage more tribal involvement ■ Do not want to see fees charged for the ■ Consider allowing bikes on the park roads. at the park through youth programs, caves at the park. employment opportunities, concessions Wilderness Campground: opportunities (e.g. tribal art), and Comments on wilderness express ■ Provide hot water for showers. participation in archeological surveys. appreciation of the wilderness qualities ■ Provide a better group site and a system ■ Provide housing to accommodate tribe at Lava Beds and provide suggestions for for group reservations. members and youth on park staff . expanding wilderness areas. ■ ■ The religious signifi cance of the area is Group camping seems adequate. ■ The most enjoyable aspect of the park is important to the Klamath Tribes. ■ Accommodate RV camping and large the wilderness ambience and the lack of motor homes to meet increasing demand. ■ Petroglyph Point should be better used people. as an educational resource to discuss the ■ Accommodate RV camping on adjacent ■ Wilderness areas impose unnecessary natural and environmental history of the National Forest lands. restrictions. area but also the cultural history of the ■ No RVs in the park. ■ Consider impacts on wilderness from Klamath and Modoc people. ■ Provide concession services for food and development and overfl ights. ■ Petroglyph Point is exposed to the supplies. Perhaps outside of the park? ■ Assess the suitability of Lava Beds’s non- natural weathering elements, graffi ti and ■ Provide fi rewood. wilderness areas for potential wilderness vandalism. Erect a structure, in place of the ■ designation. cyclone fence, that would allow for viewing Don’t allow activities that generate noise. of the rock art through a clear window. ■ Provide more spaces for camping, ■ All non-wilderness portions of the park should be recommended for wilderness ■ Continue to conduct consistent and open especially spaces with solitude. status with the exception of roads and consultation with tribal representatives ■ Make electricity available. developed areas. throughout the GMP process. ■ Problem with dogs running off -leash at ■ Wilderness expansion will provide the campground. permanent protection against future development and ensure that Lava Beds remains forever wild.

Petroglyph Point. Expansive views across the monument. Tour of Captain Jack’s Stronghold.

6 ■ Lava Beds National Monument General Management Plan ■ Newsletter #2 How Will My Comments Be Next Steps Contact Information Addressed in the GMP? Over the next several months the Feel free to contact us anytime with The GMP will establish a future vision GMP planning team will be gathering questions or comments about the GMP. for Lava Beds and provide general information to help identify ways to Mail: General Management Plan Team, Lava guidance on how to achieve that vision. address some of the planning issues. This Beds National Monument, 1 Indian Well, Your comments help us defi ne the future information, the foundation statement, Headquarters, Tulelake, CA 96134 vision and direction for the park’s future. and your comments will help the team Park Phone Numbers: 530-667-8113 / 530- All of the comments received through to develop possible visions for the future 667-8104 comment forms, letters, public meetings (called alternatives). The alternatives will be GMP Project Manager: Barbara Butler and meetings with park stakeholders consistent with the foundation statement, (510) 817-1322 address management issues, and comply will be used to assist our planning. Some Park Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/labe comments provided specifi c ideas for with all applicable laws and policies. GMP Planning Website: http://parkplanning. preserving what’s important and providing nps.gov/labe We would like your participation in the better visitor services and programs. development of the alternatives. This fall Comments with more detailed ideas will be we will send you a newsletter with some incorporated into plans that will implement preliminary alternative concepts for your the GMP. review and input. The “alternatives” Did we miss anything? Lava Beds staff have reviewed these newsletter will also provide additional If you would like to add any thoughts comments. Your ideas and suggestions information on how you can participate in and ideas to the summary of issues will help us serve you better now and after shaping these alternatives. presented, please send us your thoughts. completion of the GMP.

General Management Plan Schedule Future Opportunities for your Participation Planning Activity Dates Public Involvement Opportunities Scoping - Set the stage for planning: Reaffi rm Spring 2006 Review newsletter and send us your ideas or concerns 1 purpose, signifi cance, and identify ideas, concerns or to Spring on the comment form provided or through our planning issues to be addressed in the GMP. 2007 website. Summarize scoping comments and report back. Attend public meetings and voice your ideas and concerns.

Develop and present preliminary alternatives: Summer Review alternative concepts newsletter and send us your 2 Outline different possible futures for the park and 2007 to ideas and concerns. provide opportunities for review and comment by the Winter 2007 Attend workshops to comment on preliminary alternatives. public, agencies, tribes and other park stakeholders.

*****WE ARE HERE***** Prepare and distribute a Draft General Summer to Review the Draft GMP/EIS and provide written comments. 3 Management Plan / Environmental Impact Fall 2008 Attend public meetings to learn more about the draft Statement for review and comment by the public, document and to voice your ideas and concerns. agencies, tribes and other park stakeholders. Revise draft and publish Final General Winter 2008 Review the Final GMP/EIS. 4 Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement: Analyze comments, respond to comments, revise draft document, distribute to the public.

Lava Beds National Monument General Management Plan ■ Newsletter #2 ■ 7 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

General Management Plan Team Lava Beds National Monument 1 Indian Well Headquarters Tulelake, CA 96134

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Contact Information What’s in Newsletter 2 Mail: General Management Plan Team This newsletter includes: Lava Beds National Monument 1 Indian Well ■ Letter from the Superintendent Headquarters Tulelake, CA 96134 ■ What We Heard from You: A summary of comments we received during Phone: the scoping period of the General Park phone numbers: Management Plan. (530) 667-8113 / (530) 667-8104 GMP Project Manager: Barbara Butler ■ How will my comments be addressed (510) 817-1322 in the GMP?

Park Web Site: ■ Next Steps http://www.nps.gov/labe ■ Contact Information GMP Planning Web Site: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/labe

Ice formation in Crystal Ice Cave.

8 ■ Lava Beds National Monument General Management Plan ■ Newsletter #2