New Report Outlines Threats to Crater Lake

Environment Oregon Cites Under-Funding, Logging

A new report, "The Best of America Under Threat from Underfunding," released Thursday by Environment Oregon, showed that visitorship to Crater Lake National Park is on the rise. But even as Crater Lake draws more and more visitors, it faces budget cuts within the park and logging on its borders.

“Last year, nearly half a million people poured into Crater Lake National Park to explore its deep blue water and sheer cliffs,” said Eva Birk of Environment Oregon. “With so many people coming to Crater Lake to enjoy its beauty, now is not the time to leave this area unprotected and underfunded."

Crater Lake and its surrounding ecosystem is home to unique species like black bear, Roosevelt Elk, and pine martin. This habitat, which stretches 75 miles from the Sky Lakes Wilderness to the Diamond Peak Wilderness and includes the headwaters of the Rogue and Umpqua, is proposed to be designated as wilderness, the highest protection for federal lands.

Currently, three new logging projects threaten to destroy unique habitat surrounding the park's borders, the group says.

Advocates pointed out that Crater Lake is already feeling the effects of an over-strapped park system.

"In the past, underfunding has forced the park to cut both full-time and seasonal ranger positions in order to fund fixed costs," said Birk, "Crater Lake is facing painful cuts, which could force parks keepers to delay maintenance, hire fewer rangers or cut back on programs."

Crater Lake relies on its operating budget to hire park rangers, to fund programs like ranger-led hikes and snowshoe walks, and to maintain general facilities and trails. The proposed National Park Service budget for the coming fiscal year calls for cutting Crater Lake’s operating budget by 1%. With 7% more people visiting the park in 2009, budget cuts will make it harder for park managers to keep up with increased usage.

The threats facing Crater Lake are also being seen around the country. Environment Oregon’s report reveals that nationwide, two-thirds of national parks, including parks in nearly every state, saw visitorship climb. However, almost three-quarters of parks that saw this increase in visitors last year face a budget cut in the coming year.

A representative of the Mazamas, a nonprofit mountaineering, education, and conservation group based in Oregon, also sided with protecting Crater Lake National Park’s funding and habitat.

"Backcountry logging on the doorstep of Oregon’s crown jewel – Crater Lake National Park – is strongly opposed by members of the recreation community," commented John Rettig, the conservation committee chair of the Mazamas. “Whether it's budget cuts inside the park or threats to its surrounding habitat, it's time for Oregonians to stand up for Crater Lake.”

Fred Sproat, a representative of the University of Oregon Outdoor Club, called on Oregon's federal delegation to continue their commitment to protecting Oregon's most special places.

"It would be unfortunate if Crater Lake and the surrounding communities were to suffer from a lack of commitment to protect this iconic place," said Sproat. Travel Oregon also released a statement revealing that Oregon's top attractor for visitors is viewing the natural environment.

The Obama administration has prioritized our national parks with the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative. The Initiative aims to protect America’s greatest places and reconnect Americans with the outdoors.

A critical component to assuring the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative becomes a reality is full funding for the National Park Service. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a significant source of funding for the Service. A bill to secure permanent funding for the LWCF recently passed the U.S. House and is now before the Senate.

“We thank Senators Wyden and Merkley for helping make sure that the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative can become a reality by supporting the full-funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” said Birk. “We urge Oregon’s senators to now also champion the full habitat preservation of Oregon’s only national park – Crater Lake.”

Environment Oregon calls itself "a state-based, citizen-funded advocacy group working for a cleaner, greener, and healthier Oregon."