Alternative 2 – Reduced Winter Use
Water Resources
Under Alternative 2, the potential for impacts on water resources would be less because the use of mechanized snow machines would not be permitted in the park, and backcountry use would be restricted to day use. While there is no evidence indicating that existing activities affect surface water resources, eliminating these uses from the park would reduce potential impacts.
Wildlife
There is no indication that existing winter activities in Crater Lake National Park adversely effect wildlife species. However, it is assumed that reduced winter use would have a positive effect on species inhabiting the north area of the park or the backcountry areas frequented by overnight campers.
Air Quality
Eliminating the use of mechanized snow machines in the park would eliminate snow machine exhaust emissions. Existing emissions do not generate a noticeable air quality impact in the park. If snowmobile use were eliminated, exhaust emissions related to these machines would be eliminated. Although this would likely not result in a noticeable change in air quality, short-term odors and irritants associated with snow machine exhaust would not occur.
Soils and Vegetation
No impacts on soil or vegetation occur during the winter season under existing conditions, because snowmobiles are required to stay on road corridors, and because campfires in the backcountry are prohibited. Reduced winter use would not have an impact on soils and vegetation.
Threatened and Endangered Species
While there is no evidence indicating that winter activities have an impact on threatened and endangered species in the park, reduced winter use would lessen impact potential. Eliminating snowmobiling and backcountry camping from the park would reduce noise and decrease human presence in the north entrance area and in the park’s backcountry. It is assumed that the reduced potential for impact would benefit any threatened or endangered species in the area.
Cultural Resources
No cultural resources are affected by existing winter use. Reducing winter use would have no affect on the park’s cultural resources.
Noise
Eliminating the use of snowmobiles in the park would reduce existing intermittent noise levels in the northern portion of the park. As discussed in the winter use plan, a major objective of the NPS is to preserve the quiet and solitude of the park’s backcountry areas while providing access to all user groups.
Recreation
Under this alternative, winter recreation opportunities in Crater Lake National Park would be reduced. Snowmobiling and overnight backcountry camping would be eliminated. As data show, the number of visitors using backcountry areas during the winter is increasing. Eliminating overnight backcountry camping would have an impact on users visiting the park for this reason. In addition, eliminating snowmobile use would also have an impact on those visitors entering the park by snowmobile via the north entrance road.
