Delegation Supporting Visitor Center at Crater Lake
Herald and News
Klamath Falls, OR
November 11, 2007
By LEE JUILLERAT
H&N Regional Editor
Members of Oregon’s congressional delegation are supporting efforts aimed at building the first-ever visitor center at Crater Lake, the county’s sixth oldest national park.
The state’s delegation recently sent a letter to Jim Nussle, director of Office of Management and Budget, asking the Bush administration to include $2.5 million in the Interior Department’s budget to create a visitor center at the park.
Park superintendent Chuck Lundy estimates it will cost $6 million to create the visitor center, which will be in a vacant building next to the renovated Rim Village Cafe and Gift Store in Rim Village. Under a proposed partnership plan, the Crater Lake Trust would provide $2.5 million to match the federal money with the remaining $1 million from park entrance fees.
‘World class’
Crater Lake National Park Trust
The Crater Lake National Park Trust was created in 2002 to help protect, promote, and enhance Crater Lake National Park, its unique water purity, and its value for human inspiration and knowledge.
More information, including photos of the current building and artist renderings of the proposed visitor center, is available online at www.craterlaketrust.org. |
Crater Lake has never had a full-fledged visitor center.
Peter Allen, the Trust’s executive director, said a “world class” visitor center with interpretive and education exhibits would provide significant economic benefits for the park and neighboring counties, especially Klamath County.
“If we get people better oriented to what’s at the park they’ll stay longer and appreciate the park,” he said, noting the park, which is almost entirely in Klamath County, already has a multi-million dollar impact on the county.
Allen said that before the Trust can “seriously start seeking private donations, we need a congressional commitment.”
Following a recent trip to Washington, D.C., by Lundy, Allen and others, Oregon congressional delegation members agreed to support requests for the $2.5 million. He said Oregonians have shown they “love Crater Lake” through previous efforts.
“By making donations to the trust and purchasing Crater Lake license plates, they have already given over $3 million to park facilities and programs. Oregonians will give, but the federal government must also do its part,” Allen said.
He noted President Bush wants legislation to create a 10-year Centennial Challenge matching fund of $100 million per year for park improvements nationwide. While the Trust supports that effort, Allen said “we are also pursuing direct funding for this project on its own merits.”
The trust hopes to have the necessary funding by summer 2009, in time for Oregon 150, the state’s sesquicentennial celebration. “We can’t think of a better ‘birthday present’ for the state of Oregon,” Allen said.
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- Chief Ranger Dave Brennan Retires This Month – December 31, 2007
- Finding Your Winter Wonderland – December 15, 2007
- Exploring Crater Lake in Winter: Volunteers Answer Pressing Questions – December 15, 2007
- A part of history: Annual Great Nordeen cross-country ski race links the past to the present – December 15, 2007
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- Lundy happy with progress at Crater Lake park – November 12, 2007
- Plotting a new course: Crater Lake superintendent Chuck Lundy to retire next year – November 12, 2007
- A bit of history – November 12, 2007
- Walden, DeFazio Voice Support – November 11, 2007
- Crater Rim Drive closes Friday evening – November 7, 2007
- Follow-up on 2005 Ranger-Involved Shooting – November 5, 2007
- Source of the Rogue – November 01, 2007
- Unanimous Oregon Delegation Requests $2.5 Million for Crater Lake Visitor Center – October 31, 2007
- Crater Lake Seeks Volunteers – October 27, 2007
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- Crater Lake Ski Patrol looking for members – October 18, 2007
- Crater Lake offers a compelling glimpse of the changing seasons – October 04, 2007
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- Crater Lake deep yields mysterious moss – September 15, 2007
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- Fairview woman dies in Jeep accident near Crater Lake – September 03, 2007
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- Free Admission Saturday – August 24, 2007
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- Runners Chase Personal Bests, Shed Baggage – August 12, 2007
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- See Crater Lake Panorama From Atop Garfield Peak – August 10, 2007
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- Crater Lake’s Mystery Moss – August 01, 2007
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- He made movies in Brooklyn, over 100 years ago – July 5, 2007
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- Annie Springs Campground – June 17, 2007
- Cycle Oregon 2007: The Week Ride – Jun 3, 2007
- Crater Lake northern entrance opens today – May 24, 2007
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- Unraveling the secret of Crater Lake’s … Deep Moss – April 2, 2007
- National Park Service Listening Session: Gatlinburg, Tennessee – March 14, 2007
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