National Preserve Management Plan: Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve
Why This Project?
Following the need for public participation in the NEPA act, this study will analyze the plan to improve the ‘Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve.’ The creation of the 4070 acre National Preserve improvement plan was first signed into law by Congress on the 19TH of December 2014. The project will include measures for safeguarding the surrounding forests, watersheds, and expanding the extensive forest coverage. It will also bring new opportunities in natural and cultural activities in the park. This new preserve will surround the monument with a variety of exciting facilities, like roads, trails, water lines, and camping grounds. There is even a proposed hunting management plan, giving the gateway communities a chance to enjoy the expanded opportunities for recreation. The project also addresses the need to improve the road networks to give visitors an easier time when surveying the park’s different landscapes and sceneries. Other programs that the park has set aside for its visitors are: guided camping and hiking trips, photography, and educational workshops.
What Is The Purpose of The Plan?
The approved park Preserve Management Plan will give managers a framework to use in making various decisions on how to protect the unique features in the park. It’s also meant to improve the experience of visitors and further give the public and stakeholders a logical process on how different management decisions are deliberated and implemented. It analyzes two future alternative directions, which the ‘National Park Service’ could also use to improve the overall delivery of services. The plan will contribute significantly to solving the issues of budget restrictions, regulatory compliance, and competing priorities. These are areas which if not monitored, can derail its implementation.
Proposed Alternatives
The NPS has decided to adopt what they called ‘the preferred alternative’ or ‘alternative B’ in the environmental assessment preferred management plan for the ‘Oregon Caves National Preserve and Monument.’ This alternative was compared to ‘Alternative A,’ which was basically to continue with the current management plan. The NPS selected ‘Alternative B’ because of the need to reduce economic feasibility as well as the desire to preserve the traditional visitor experiences. It’s quite similar to ‘Alternative A,’ but it contains some notable exemptions such as improving already-established facilities, creating room for more tour guidance, and opportunities in camping. It further proposes the need to expand partnerships and expand its outreach programs. Most importantly, it prescribes the need to boost safety facilities in the park and to reduce the adverse effects caused by the increased number of visitors.
Under ‘Alternative B,’ the preserve will expand and foster stronger ties with Oregon Universities and the ‘Southern Oregon Visitors Association,’ to create mutually profitable opportunities and resources. It hopes to expand the relationships with youth organizations to find ways of incorporating ‘youthful’ features into the park. NPS will also continue to work hand-in-hand with key project stakeholders to provide better information about the Monument and Preserve.
Comment Question: How Can You Best Improve The Proposed NPS ‘Alternative B’ Plan?
The public has been given a chance to respond to various questions in the proposed plan. A majority of people have shown support to the proposed alternative to improve the park as it will help in safeguarding public lands and conserving natural resources. However, upon careful review, I believe that there’s still a lot that needs to be done to protect and ensure the success of this project.
- Need For An Effective Fire Management Plan
I feel that the NPS needs to explain the fire management policies in the proposed plan vividly. To do this, it has to integrate how it responds to fires with the wildfire protection plan of both Rogue Valley and Illinois Valley. The NPS could also use the ‘Crater Lake Fire Plan, ‘ which incorporates crucial factors such as fuel management and sharing of vital resources with local law authorities as well as the forest service.