it seems clear that park policies of conservation, efficiency of year-round operation, ultimate economy of cost and maintenance, and employee living conditions and morale will all be benefited by a removal of most administrative and headquarters operations to the proposed new south entrance location. [43]
Following their report on the headquarters question, Davidson and Waterhouse prepared two other studies relating to future park development and planning. In May 1943 they prepared a “Report on Studies for Rim Area Campground Relocation,” and on August 6 Waterhouse submitted a follow-up memorandum to the Region IV Director regarding the possibility of constructing a tunnel to the lake shore. The thrust of the two reports consisted of recommendations to remove campground facilities from the existing Rim Village area to a site just below Rim Road some 1-1/2 miles northwest in the vicinity of Discovery Point. The Munson and Sun Valley vicinities were considered but rejected in favor of the Discovery Point area. From the new campground location a tunnel could be built, according to the authors, to provide easy access to the lake. The reports left open the question as to whether the park operator s concessions should be moved to a location near the proposed campground or to the water’s edge near the lower end of the tunnel. The reports contained proposals for a new trail to the lake and mechanical lifts to transport visitors to the lake shore. [44]
The years 1943-45 witnessed considerable debate and discussion in the Washington and Region Four office regarding the planning issues facing Crater Lake National Park. As a result of such discussions, several decisions were rendered during this period by NPS Director Newton B. Drury and Regional Director O.A. Tomlinson. The decisions were made, however, with the understanding that park problems were “normally fluid and should remain so, usually, until final action is necessary.” Responding to the question of whether a trail, elevator, or tunnel should be built to provide easy access to the shores of Crater Lake, Drury stated on January 13, 1944:
Long established policy which limits physical development of park areas to a minimum necessary for protecting park values and for reasonable access, and reasonable safety and comfort of visitors, definitely rules out the tunnel proposal. Likewise, since the existing trail from the rim to the lake affords accessibility, is reasonably safe, and is as easy to negotiate as are average mountain trails, there seems no need for consideration of a trail relocation such as has been proposed from time to time, or for trail improvements which involve additional construction nearby. This reasoning also rules out consideration of mechanical lifts or similar surface contrivances for reaching the shores without physical effort.
Nearly two weeks later, on January 26, 1944, Drury addressed the twin issues of whether the park should be operated on a seasonal or year-round basis and whether park headquarters should remain at its existing site or be relocated to the south entrance. In regard to these issues he concluded:
that the conservation of the park and its use, as contemplated when it was established, will be accomplished if winter use of the area is not promoted by snow removal or other means as was the case before the war. It is contemplated that winter operations in the park shall continue as at present after the war. . . . it will be desirable to continue the park headquarters at the Government Camp location, and make only such improvements or changes in the buildings as may be necessary for summer operations. . . .
On February 1, 1944, Drury addressed the issue of whether the Rim Campground should be retained and expanded or abandoned and relocated. He indicated his agreement with the studies that had recommended its abandonment.
Later on September 16 the director responded to recommendations that the existing road between park headquarters and the rim be improved and relocated. For the present the road was to remain in its existing alignment “with such widening and resurfacing as is necessary to provide for satisfactory summer travel.
Other issues facing the park related to development of concessioner facilities and the need for a visitor center/museum building. These questions were addressed in January 1945 by Tomlinson. As to whether the lodge should be permitted to remain at its existing site or be moved farther back from the rim, he observed:
