February 11
The Mail Tribune reports in a headline, “Crater Lake officials push Rim Village plan”. The NPS is renewing their efforts to win support for their plan to develop Rim Village. Despite objections from members of Congress, the agency argues that their massive plan is the best way to respond to the needs of park visitors, improve on outdated or nonexistent facilities and remove hazards that threaten the lake’s pristine environment. Superintendent Morris claims, “Crater Lake is the only major national park in the country with no complete visitor center.”
February 24
The MT reports that the NPS’s new Rim development plan have soared to $93 million. $5.5 millions has already been spent on planning and another $6.8 million will be spent before the year is over. By the end of this year, the NPS will have spent a total of $23.6 million on sewage system improvements, utilities, lode renovation and planning for future construction. Rep. Les AuCoin of Oregon said, “I acknowledge that this is a big price, but the nature of a big investment is it yields big dividends.” AuCoin feels the potential return of $6 million a year to southwestern Oregon’s economy. Skittish over rising costs for the project, Congress last year told the Park Service to come back with a list of alternatives by going through the entire plan. The NPS asked for $35 million in fiscal 1993 and $35 million more in fiscal 1994. AuCoin suggested starting out with $10 million to $15 million and spreading the funding out over more time. A study indicated the center would draw 400 extra visitors a day, with ripple effects that would spread $6 million a year from Bend to Medford.
March 13
The MT reports that representatives from four Northwest environmental groups have launched a campaign to stop development at the Park, with a letter pressing key members of Congress to oppose financing for a hotel and other proposed construction. Dave Morris, Park Superintendent responded by saying, “I can understand where they’re coming from philosophically, but from an actual environmental impact point of view, it’s a hard argument to make.”
March 31
A section of the West Rim Road opens to traffic. The earliest cars have been able to drive partially around the Rim.
March 16
Two skiers from Grants Pass, Ron Miller,18, and Alex Stevens, 26, miss the North Junction and accidentally ski around the North Rim. After building a fire and eating in the Palisades area, they turn around and are found by Park rangers at 2 a.m.
Spring
Contract for phase two of the Lodge reconstruction project is awarded to a Portland Company for a bid of $8.9 million. The new lodge will have 71 rooms when completed. Each room will be enlarged over the old ones. The project should take two to three years. Landscaping and outside restoration will be a third phase. The Park Service is still “studying” the erosion problem behind the Lodge. One scientist says the slippage is great, while two others colleges say the rate of sliding is virtually nonexistent…”at least during the life of the new lodge.”
May 4
Eight inches of measurable snow on the ground at Park Headquarters. Average snow level at this time of the year is 110 inches.
