Crater Lake National Park: Administrative History by Harlan D. Unrau and Stephen Mark, 1987
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APPENDIX C10: RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK (Approved December 21, 1923)
GENERAL REGULATIONS
The following rules and regulations for the government of Crater Lake National Park are hereby established and made public pursuant to authority conferred by the acts of Congress approved May 22, 1902 (32 Stat. 202), August 21, 1916 (39 Stat. 521), and the act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535), as amended June 2, 1920 (41 Stat. 732), and March 7, 1928 (45 Stat. 200-235), and shall supersede all previous rules and regulations for this park heretofore promulgated, which are hereby rescinded.
1. Preservation of natural features and curiosities. — The destruction, injury, defacement, or disturbance in any way of the public buildings, signs, equipment, or other property, or of the trees, flowers, vegetation, rocks, minerals, animal, or bird, or other life, or other natural conditions and curiosities in the park is prohibited: Provided,That flowers may be gathered in small quantities when, in the judgment of the superintendent, their removal will not impair the beauty of the park. Before any flowers are picked, permit must be secured from officer.
2. Camping. — In order to preserve the natural scenery of the park and to provide pure water and facilities for keeping the park clean, permanent camp sites have been set apart for visitors touring the park, and no camping is permitted outside of the specially designated sites. These camps have been used during the past seasons; they will be used daily this year and for many years to come. The following regulations, therefore, will be strictly enforced for the protection of the health and comfort of visitors who come in the park.
(a) Keep the camp grounds clean. Combustible rubbish shall be burned on camp fires and all other garbage and refuse of all kinds, shall be placed in garbage cans or pits provided for the purpose. At new or unfrequented camps, garbage shall be burned or buried.
(b) There is plenty of pure water; be sure you get it. There are thousands of visitors every year to each camp site and the water in the streams and creeks adjacent is not safe to drink. The water supply provided is pure and wholesome and must be used If, however, the water supply is not piped to grounds, consult rangers for sources to use. Contamination of watersheds of water supplies or of any water used for drinking purposes is prohibited.
(c) Campers and others shall not wash clothing or cooking utensils or pollute in any other manner the waters of the park. Bathing in any of the streams near the regularly traveled thoroughfares in the park is not permitted without suitable bathing clothes.
(d) The wearing of bathing suits, scanty or objectionable clothing, without proper covering, is prohibited in automobiles, or around camps, villages, or hotels.
(e) All animals shall be kept a sufficient distance from camp sites and circulation areas in order not to litter the ground.
(f) Campers may use only dead or fallen timber for fuel.
(g) Any article likely to freighten horses shall not be hung near a road or trail.
3. Fires. — Fires constitute one of the greatest perils to the park. They shall not be kindled near trees, dead wood, moss, dry leaves, forest mold, or other vegetable refuse, but in some open space on rocks or earth. Should camp be made in a locality where no such open space exists or is provided, the dead wood, moss, dry leaves, etc., shall be scraped away to the rock or earth over an area considerably larger than that required for the fire.
All persons making trips away from established camps are required to obtain fire permits from the nearest ranger before building camp fires.
Fires shall be lighted only when necessary, and when no longer needed shall be completely extinguished, and all embers and beds smothered with earth or water, so that there remains no possibility of reignition.
Permission to burn on any clean-up operation within the park must be first secured from the superintendent’s office, and in such cases as is deemed advisable, such burning will be under the Government supervision. All costs of suppression and damage caused by reason of loss of control of such burning operations shall be paid by the person or persons to whom such permit has been granted.
No lighted cigarette, cigar, match, or other burning material shall be thrown from any vehicle or saddle animal or dropped into any leaves, grass, twigs, or tree mold.Smoking or the building of fires on any lands within the park maybe prohibited by the superintendent when, in his judgment, the hazard makes such action necessary.The use of fireworks, or firecrackers in the park is prohibited, except with the written permission of the superintendent.
4. Hunting. — The park is a sanctuary for wild life of every sort, and all hunting or the killing, wounding, frightening, or capturing at any time of any wild bird or animal, except dangerous animals when it is necessary to prevent them from destroying human lives or inflicting personal injury, is prohibited within the limits of the park.
The outfits, including guns, traps, teams, horses, or means of transportation of every nature or description used by any person or persons engaged in hunting, killing, ensnaring, or capturing birds or wild animals within the limits of the park shall be forfeited to the United States and may be seized by the officers of the park and held pending the prosecution of any person or persons arrested under the charge of violating this regulation, and upon conviction, such forfeiture shall be adjudicated as a penalty in addition to other punishment. Such forfeited property shall is disposed of and accounted for by and under the authority of the Secretary of the Interior. Possession within said park of the dead bodies or any part thereof of any wild bird or animal shall be prima facie evidence that the person or persons having the same are guilty of violating this regulation.
During the hunting season, arrangements may be made at entrance stations to identify and transport through the park, carcasses of birds or animals killed outside of the park.
Firearms are prohibited within the park except upon written permission of the superintendent. Visitors entering or traveling through the park to places beyond, shall, at entrance, report and surrender all firearms, traps, seines, nets, or explosives in their possession to the first park officer and in proper cases may obtain his written permission to carry them through the park sealed. The Government assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage to any firearms, traps, nets, or other property so surrendered to any park officer, nor are park officers authorized to accept the responsibility of custody of any property for the convenience of visitors.
NOTE. — The foregoing regulation is in effect a declaration of the law on this subject contained in sections 4 and 5 of the act of Congress approved August 21, 1916 (39 Stat. 521), accepting cession by the State of Oregon of exclusive jurisdiction of the lands embraced in the Crater Lake National Park, and for other purposes.
This act by its terms applies to all lands within said park whether in public or private ownership.
5. Fishing. — Fishing with nets, seines, traps, or by the use of drugs or explosives, or in any other way than with hook and line, or for merchandise or profit is prohibited. Fishing in particular waters may be suspended, or the number of fish that may be taken by one person in any one day from the various streams or lakes may be regulated by the superintendent. All fish hooked less than 5 inches long shall be carefully handled with moist hands and returned at once to the water, not seriously injured. Five fish shall constitute the limit for a day’s catch from the lake and 20 from the other waters of the park. The possession of more than two days’ catch by any person at any one time shall be construed as a violation, of this regulation.
6. Private operations. — No person, firm, or corporation shall reside permanently, engage in any business, or erect buildings in the park without permission in writing from the Director of the National Park Service, Washington, D. C. Applications for such permission may be addressed to the director through the superintendent of the park.
7. Campers. — Still and motion picture cameras may be freely used in the park for general scenic purposes. For the filming of motion pictures or sound pictures requiring the use of artificial or special settings, or special equipment or involving the a performance of a professional cast, permission must first be obtained from the superintendent of the park.
8. Gambling. — Gambling in any form or the operation of gambling devices, whether for merchandise or otherwise, is prohibited.
9. Advertisements. — Private notices or advertisements shall not be posted or displayed in the park, excepting such as the park superintendent deems necessary for the convenience and guidance of the public.
10. Mining claims. — The location of mining claims is prohibited on Government lands in the park.
11. Private lands. — Owners of private lands within the park limits are entitled to the full use and enjoyment thereof; the boundaries of such lands, however, shall be determined and marked and defined, so that they may be readily distinguished from the park lands. While no limitations or conditions are imposed upon the use of private lands so long as such use does not interfere with or injure the park, private owners shall provide against trespass by their livestock upon the park lands, and all trespasses committed will be punished to the full extent of the law. Stock may be taken over the park lands to private lands with the written permission and under the supervision of the superintendent, but such permission and supervision are not required when access to such private lands is had wholly over roads or lands not owned or controlled by the United States.
12. Grazing. — The running at large, herding, or grazing of livestock of any kind on the Government lands in the park, as well as the driving of livestock over same, is prohibited except where authority therefor has been granted by the superintendent. Livestock found improperly on the park lands may be impounded and held until claimed by the owner and the trespass adjusted.
13. Authorized operators. — All persons, firms, or corporations holding franchises in the park shall keep the grounds used by them properly policed and shall maintain the premises in a sanitary condition to the satisfaction of the superintendent. No operator shall retain in his employment a person whose presence in the park may be deemed by the superintendent subversive of good order and management of the park.
All operators shall require each of their employees to wear a metal badge, with a number thereon, or other mark of identification, the name and number corresponding therewith, or the identification mark, being registered in the superintendent’s office. These badges must be worn in plain sight.
14. Dogs and cats. — Dogs and cats are prohibited on the Government lands in the park except that upon written permission of the superintendent, secured upon entrance, they may be transported over through roads by persons passing through the park provided they are kept under leash, crated or otherwise under restrictive control of the owner at all times while in the park: Provided, however, That employees and others may be authorized by the superintendent to keep dogs in the park administrative area, or areas, on a condition that they are kept within the confines of these areas, and subject to such further conditions in the interest of good park administration as may be determined by the superintendent.
15. Dead animals. — All domestic or grazed animals that may die on Government lands in the park, at any tourist camp, or along any of the public thoroughfares shall be buried immediately by the owner or person having charge of such animals at least 2 feet beneath the ground, and in no case less than one-fourth mile from any camp or thoroughfare.
16. Travel on roads and trails. — Pedestrians on trails, when saddle or pack animals are passing, shall remain quiet until the animals have passed.
Persons traveling on the trails of the park either on foot or on saddle animals shall not make short cuts but shall confine themselves to the main trails.
Any and all roads and trails in the park may be closed to public use by order of the superintendent when, in his judgment, conditions make travel thereon hazardous or dangerous, or when such action is necessary to protect the park.
17. Travel — General. — (a) Saddle horses, pack trains, and horse-drawn vehicles have right of way over motor-propelled vehicles at all times.
(b) Load and weight limitations shall be those prescribed from time to time by the superintendent of the park and shall all be complied with by the operators of all vehicles using the park roads. Schedules showing weight limitations for different roads in the park may be seen at the office of the superintendent and at ranger stations at the park entrances.
(c) All vehicles shall be equipped with lights for night travel. At least one light must be carried on the left front side of all horse-drawn vehicles in a position such as to be visible from both front and rear.
18. Miscellaneous. — No pack-train or saddle-horse party shall be allowed in the park unless in charge of a guide or competent leader. Such guides or leaders may be required to pass an examination prescribed by and in a manner satisfactory to the superintendent. At the discretion of the superintendent, guides may be permitted to carry unsealed firearms.
19. Fines and penalties. — Persons who render themselves obnoxious by disorderly conduct or bad behavior shall be subjected to the punishment hereinafter prescribed for violation of the foregoing regulations, and/or they may be summarily removed from the park by the superintendent.
Any person who violates any of the foregoing regulations shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both, and be adjudged to pay all costs of the proceedings.
NOTES. — All complaints by visitors and others as to service, etc., rendered in the park should be made to the superintendent in writing before the complainant leaves the park. Oral complaints will be heard daily during office hours.
Persons finding lost articles should deposit them at the Government headquarters or at the nearest ranger station; leaving their own names and addresses, so that if not claimed by the owners within 60 days articles may be turned over to those who found them.
The Government is in no way responsible for any kind of accident.
AUTOMOBILE AND MOTOR-CYCLE REGULATIONS
1. Automobiles. — The park is open to automobiles operated for pleasure, but not to those carrying passengers who are paying, either directly or indirectly, for the use of machines (excepting, however automobiles used by transportation lines operating under Government franchise), and any person operating an automobile in contravention of the provisions of this regulation shall be deemed guilty of its violation.
2. Motor trucks and busses. — Motor trucks and busses are admitted to the park under the same conditions as automobiles, except the superintendent will establish limits of size and tonnage capacity which may vary according to the different roads and bridges.
Commercial truck trailers engaged in hauling freight will be required to secure permission from the superintendent before using the park roads.
3. Motor cycles. — Motor cycles are admitted to the park under the same conditions as automobiles and are subject to the same regulations, so far as they are applicable.
4. Permits. — No motor vehicle may be operated in the park with out a Crater Lake National Park permit.
The owner or driver of each motor-driven vehicle entering the park shall secure this permit at the entering ranger station.
This permit authorizes the operation of the vehicle therein described over the public roads in the park throughout the current calendar year. The permit is issued to the vehicle described therein and not to the owner or driver. This permit should be carried in the car and exhibited to park rangers on request.
5. Fees. — The fee or automobile or motor cycle permits is $1.
6. Roads — Hours. — The use of automobiles will be permitted at all hours on any of the roads in the park. Automobiles and motor cycles may enter and leave the park by the western or Castle Creek entrance, the eastern or Sand Creek entrance, the southern or Annie Creek entrance, and the northern or Diamond Lake entrance.
7. Speed. — Automobiles and other vehicles shall be so operated so as to be under the safe control of the driver at all times. The speed shall be kept within such limits as may be necessary to avoid accidents. At no time shall speed exceed 40 miles per hour. All cautionary signs must be observed. Ambulances and Government cars on emergency trips are the only exceptions to this rule. The speed of all motor trucks over 1-1/2 tons capacity is limited not to exceed 25 miles per hour on all park roads.
8. Teams. — When teams, saddle horses or pack trains approach, automobiles shall be so manipulated so as to allow safe passage for the other party. In no case shall automobiles pass animals on the road at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour.
9. Right of way, etc. — Any vehicle traveling slowly upon any of the park roads, when overtaken by a faster-moving motor vehicle, and upon suitable signal from such overtaking vehicle, shall move to the right to allow safe passage.
When automobiles going in opposite directions meet on a grade, the ascending machine has the right of way, and the descending machine shall be backed or otherwise handled as may be necessary to enable the ascending machine to pass in safety.
10. Muffler cut-outs. — Muffler cut-outs shall be closed at all times within the park boundaries.
11. Accidents; stop-overs. — If cars stop because of accident or for any reason, they shall be immediately parked in such a way as not to interfere with travel on the road.
The driver of any motor-driven vehicle who meets with an accident shall report same at the nearest ranger station or to the superintendent of the park.
12. Lights. — All automobiles shall be equipped with head and tail lights, the headlights to be of sufficient brilliancy to insure safety in a driving at night, and all lights shall be kept lighted after sunset when automobile is on the roads. Headlights must either be equipped with antiglare devices deflecting powerful beams to a height of not over 36 inches above the road or else must be dimmed whenever meeting other automobiles, motor cycles, driving or riding animals and pedestrians.
13. Intoxication. — No person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor and no person who is addicted to the use of narcotic drugs shall operate or drive a motor-driven vehicle of any kind on the park roads.
14. Horns. — The horn shall be sounded before passing other automobiles, motor cycles, riding or driving animals, or pedestrians.
15. Fines and penalties. — Any person who violates any of the foregoing regulations shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both, and be adjudged to pay all costs of the proceedings, and/or may be punished by revocation of the automobile permit and by immediate ejectment from the park. Such violation shall be cause for refusal to issue a new automobile permit to the offender without prior sanction in writing from the Director of the National Park Service or the superintendent of the park.
Rules and Regulations, December 21, 1932, RG 79, Central Files, 1933-49, File No. 208, Part 1, Crater Lake, Rules and Regulations, General.
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