Before the move could be completed, however, Yeager stated that fourteen new living units would have to be constructed.
Yeager considered the location of a consolidated park headquarters at the south entrance. His studies, however, revealed that snow depth there normally reached five feet, which he found to be “too much to relieve snow removal costs and living conditions” in comparison with Munson Valley. [78]
Park headquarters at Munson Valley became the year-round administrative headquarters for the park on September 8, 1964. The Medford office, which had served as the winter headquarters of the park, was closed and all personnel from that office were assigned to park headquarters. As part of this move the General Services Administration sold the government residence in Medford in April 1965. [79]
The transfer of year-round administration offices to the park resulted in the need for more and better equipped staff housing. In the park master plan prepared in February 1965 it was noted that existing staff housing consisted of a superintendent”s residence, seven duplexes, one four-plex, seven single-unit substandard houses, fifteen cabins, one three-unit apartment, and seven seasonal trailers. With the exception of one permanent and one seasonal quarters, all were located in the headquarters area. Four families hived outside the park in Fort Klamath, a town of 150 residents twenty miles from park headquarters which had limited housing, grocery, and automotive services.
To provide for adequate quarters and to eliminate employees from hiving in substandard housing, 21 additional housing units were required. These included a duplex at Annie Spring, a ranger residence and two fourplex units at the north entrance, and 17 units at the headquarters area. The 17 units included 5 three-bedroom units, 8 two-bedroom units, and four one-bedroom units. [80]
Few changes were made in the Crater Lake park organization during the 1960s. More detailed role and function statements, however, were developed for the park’s divisions. For example, divisional responsibilities were developed to accompany a park organizational chart approved in April 1965. The divisional responsibilities read:
Office of the Superintendent
The superintendent of Crater Lake National Park directs all operations within the Park to accomplish the park’s mission. He directs, controls and evaluates all activities performed by the park staff.Administrative Division
The administrative division participates in the formulation and development of area plans, programs and operating policies and has responsibility for the administrative management functions for Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument. It is responsible for activities such as budget and finance, management analysis, inspection, personnel management and training, property management and general services and messhall operations.Resources Management and Visitor Protection
The purpose and responsibilities of this division are to protect the park resources and facilities and the welfare of the visitors .Because of the physical character of the Park and its extreme climatic conditions of heavy snowfall, the primary responsibility of this division relates to safety and service to the park visitor, and protection of the geological features, vegetation, and wildlife.
. . . Two ranger districts enable the division to carry out its assigned functions. Each district is assigned a permanent park ranger for the management of entrance stations and assigned duties within his district. . . .
Interpretation
The purpose of this division is to determine, assemble, and present the facts about the park and its resources so as to guide the protecting of park resources and to enrich visitor experience and knowledge.Because the primary significance of the Park is Crater Lake and the story of its creation, the major responsibility and function of the division is the gathering and dissemination of geological information . . . .
Maintenance and Operation of Physical Facilities
The purpose of this division is to operate and maintain the physical plant in a manner contributing to the efficient functioning of the park staff, to the welfare of the visitors, and for the preservation of the park resources.The entire maintenance operation at Crater Lake National Park is carried out from the headquarters area in Munson Valley. . . . [81]
