United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacifi c Southwest Region VOLCANIC LEGACY March 2012 SCENIC BYWAY ALL AMERICAN ROAD Interpretive Plan For portions through Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Tule Lake, Lava Beds National Monument and World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument 2 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................4 Background Information ........................................................................................................................4 Management Opportunities ....................................................................................................................5 Planning Assumptions .............................................................................................................................6 BYWAY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................7 Management Goals ..................................................................................................................................7 Management Objectives ..........................................................................................................................7 Visitor Experience Goals ........................................................................................................................7 Visitor Experience Objectives: ...............................................................................................................8 BYWAY THEMES, SUBTHEMES, AND STORYLINES ...................................................................9 Statements of Significance for the Byway ............................................................................................9 VISITOR ANALYSIS ..................................................................................................................................15 Summary of Visitor Information from Lava Beds National Monument .....................................15 Travel Spending per County from 1992 to 2009 ..............................................................................16 Other Travel Findings ...........................................................................................................................16 Implications for Byway Interpretive Planning Endeavors: ...............................................................17 CURRENT TYPES OF SIGNAGE SEEN ALONG THE BYWAY .................................................19 Portal Signage ..........................................................................................................................................19 MEDIA AND DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................21 Design Character and Look .................................................................................................................21 Recommended Byway Information Dispersal System .....................................................................21 Additional Media Recommendations ..................................................................................................27 APPENDIX A .............................................................................................................................................33 Previous Themes from Other Interpretive Plans for the Byway ....................................................33 APPENDIX B .............................................................................................................................................40 Additional Resource Information from Lassen Crossroads Interpretive Plan and Revised Crossroads Information, circa 1995 - 1999 .......................................................................................40 APPENDIX C ............................................................................................................................................... 45 Guidelines Applicable for Exterior Interpretive Signage and Design References ....................... 45 APPENDIX D .............................................................................................................................................46 Site Inventory and New Recommendations ......................................................................................46 APPENDIX E ...............................................................................................................................................47 References and Citations .......................................................................................................................47 APPENDIX F ...............................................................................................................................................48 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................48 3 INTRODUCTION Background Information Why an Interpretive Plan? The 500 mile “Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway All- Interpretive plans are done for people to frame the American Road” (called the Byway) celebrates the human experience, not for resource or landscape spectacular scenery of this vast volcanic landscape management, although management objectives and the recreation opportunities it offers. This Byway should be incorporated as part of the planning designation grew out of an effort of dedicated citizens effort. An interpretive plan provides a framework who worked to bring national recognition to the rich for implementing a coordinated, unified interpretive heritage, geology, and scenic qualities of the region. approach. This framework sets the direction for high The Byway enjoys significant support from numerous quality visitor experiences and agencies throughout northern California and southern INTRODUCTION community involvement. Oregon. It is one of 31 All-American Roads in the United States with only two in California (Route 1 Big The influence of interpretive programs on area Sur Coast and the Volcanic Legacy). The All-American residents is equally important. Because of the Road designation affords this Byway the distinction that educational nature of interpretive facilities and it so richly deserves as a unique travel experience. publications, school groups and other nonprofit organizations often use them. Providing knowledge The Volcanic Legacy Experience – A Pathway to residents about Byway resources can serve to boost through America’s Pacific West community pride and enhance resource appreciation. The entire Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is a continuous “volcano to volcano” drive extending Interpretive themes are developed from the interpretive from Crater Lake National Park in Oregon to Lassen goals and objectives for the significant resources of Volcanic National Park in California. The Byway the Byway. A central theme helps tie together the showcases the area’s unique volcanic features and information and ideas that are presented to visitors. beautiful scenery. It provides a diversity of opportunities Themes are the plot to the movie, the moral of the to interpret the natural landscape, as well as describe story. They answer the question, “So what?” or how the land was altered by timber harvesting, mining, “What’s the big deal?” hydroelectric power generation, and agricultural use. This connected network of existing highway The theme provides the foundation for all routes provides access to several national parks and presentations, no matter what media is used. monuments, national forests, national wildlife refuges, Interpretive messages may be accomplished State parks, and a host of other interesting destinations. through signs, exhibits, visitor centers, audio/visual Byway visitors also can learn about Native American productions, publications, internet, and personal tribal history, life on the Emigrant Trails, and places services, such as guided interpretive hikes and of conflict and war. The uniqueness of the volcanic campfire programs. setting, and the wide variety and frequency of points of interest along the Byway (many of them national Overarching themes and main themes developed destinations) reinforce the Byway as a destination unto by previous Byway plans are all very similar – with itself. It offers a wonderful driving experience with a consistent objectives for educating visitors about the distinctive setting that represents the best in the nation. resources and history of the Byway. These previously developed themes can be referenced in Appendix A. 4 INTRODUCTION Previous Planning Efforts Management Opportunities Interpretive plans for most of the Byway were Communities along the Byway have specific interests completed between 1990 and 2007, including plans and goals that may be unique to their area, or for the Shasta Volcanic Scenic Byway, Lassen Scenic similar to other Byway communities. Based on public Byway, Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen meetings held in October 2007, public land managers Volcanic National Park, and the Oregon portion of the and community leaders will want to consider these Volcanic Legacy. This document completes planning Byway opportunities: for remaining portions of the Byway from Susanville • Promote the development of events and activities to Burney, California as well as the Highway 161 during the shoulder