CRATERS of the MOON General Management Plan

Considering the age and design of facilities, the small staff at Craters of the Moon National Monument does a remarkable job of providing visitors with a rewarding experience in a well-maintained setting. The permanent staff of 11 is supplemented by approximately 6 to 14 seasonal employees; the number fluctuates with funding. Help also is obtained from a small but supportive corps of volunteers and from university groups, support groups, the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association, and various youth programs.

Even with this support, fluctuating funding hinders interpretive, resource management, and maintenance programs; such functions are particularly critical in a monument with a small staff. In reduced budget years, the first costs to be eliminated are visitor services such as guided walks. Off-site educational programs and on-site programs for school groups have suffered in years of reduced funding. The general management plan reinforces the need for these programs but cannot ensure adequate funding for them.

There is no transition from the main highway to park roads and resources; visitor center parking areas are a short distance off the highway. For visitors, congestion and lack of parking space at the visitor center/headquarters are significant problems. When a visitor's introductory experience to the monument is poor, the quality of the overall experience is diminished. Existing facilities will not accommodate interpretation for school groups or other large groups, and parking is inadequate for large recreational vehicles (RVs) and buses. For management, the major problem is inadequate functional work spaces and inadequate storage.

The following issues and concerns have been considered in planning for the management of Craters of the Moon National Monument.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The most significant problem in managing the resources of the monument is a lack of baseline information. The amount of geological information is substantial, but biological research has been limited. Transects have been established for long-term ecological monitoring of vegetation. The following resource management issues and concerns have been addressed in the resource management plan and are being implemented. They are mentioned here to emphasize their importance.

Some air quality indicators such as visibility and radionuclides are being monitored now, and a site for monitoring nitrous oxides is planned for 1992. Modifications of what is monitored and where within the monument will be required as new information is made available. Key viewsheds or integral vistas have been identified and are documented in the Craters of the Moon National Monument Resource Management Plan (NPS 1987).

Some baseline information has been acquired already, but detailed surveys of rare plants are needed. Species inventories for birds and most mammals are adequate, but inventories need to be updated on reptiles, amphibians, bats, and especially invertebrates. Some monitoring of plant and animal components is being done, but it also will be necessary to monitor populations not now being monitored.

Information is needed on the monument's water resources, especially the perennial ice in caves and deep crevices. It appears that many waterholes in the lava have dried up since they were reported in the 1920s.

The Federal Cave Resources Act of 1987 requires that cave resources be studied and significant caves be identified.

The U.S. Geological Survey predicts that volcanic activity will occur in the monument in the future. That agency has recommended installation of a seismic monitoring system to warn of impending eruptions.

A survey of cultural resources in the monument is needed. A brief archeological reconnaissance done in 1965 located 26 prehistoric sites in the monument, but a more detailed survey is necessary to plan for protection of these resources. No comprehensive study has ever been done of the historical resources in Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Protection of geological resources is important because geology is the primary theme of Craters of the Moon. The fragile geological resources may appear to be sturdy, but they are affected by visitors; increased erosion of the spatter cones causes irreversible damage. Heavy use by visitors is contributing to erosion of the Inferno Cone trail. Illegal collection of specimens is another major problem.

The present practice of suppressing all wildland fires in the monument presents problems because much of the monument is inaccessible. Fire suppression costs are high relative to the benefit, since there is very little to burn in most places, and the policy of total suppression does not conform to the modified suppression policy of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages adjacent lands. Research by the cooperative park studies unit from the University of Idaho is being used as the basis of a new fire management plan.

An inventory of abandoned mineral lands completed in 1991 revealed adits and tailings piles that pose threats to water quality and safety and are in need of reclamation.

All known abandoned mineral lands are in the northwest corner of the monument, in the foothills of the Pioneer Mountains. Topographic maps indicate the presence of 11 old prospect pits along the divide at the head of Little Cottonwood Creek. A plan is needed for closure and reclamation of these sites, as appropriate. Some method of coordination with the BLM is needed to ensure that the National Park Service will be included in the review of mining plans of operations or exploration permits for mining activity adjacent to the monument boundary.

EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON MONUMENT RESOURCES

Air Quality

The air quality at Craters of the Moon is the resource most likely to be significantly affected by external influences. An air quality management plan is needed to address gaseous pollution and visibility impairment due to particulates. Visibility monitoring at the monument indicates relatively pristine air quality, but analysis of data from the fine particulate sampler and teleradiometer at the monument indicates there is a trend toward deterioration.

There is concern that gaseous pollutants may be present in sufficient amounts to damage vegetation. The source or sources of this kind of pollution are not known at this time. Additional air quality monitoring capabilities are needed to determine if adverse effects are being caused by gaseous pollution from sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfates, and photochemical oxidants such as ozone.

The regional population density is low, but pollutants may increase as the population increases. Air pollution from outside sources occasionally can be seen when winds blow from the east or southwest. Mining activities and agricultural field burning also are sources of air pollution.

A proposal to build a 2,000-megawatt coal-fired power plant 140 miles southeast of the monument was withdrawn during preparation of this plan. Prevailing winds could have carried emissions from the plant over the monument. Although that proposal is no longer active, it is mentioned to indicate how Craters of the Moon could be affected by distant development.

The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), about 25 miles northeast of the monument, maintains a coal-fired power plant for on-site power production. INEL has applied for a permit to expand the plant and increase emissions. The present air quality monitoring program at the monument needs to be expanded to determine if the laboratory is affecting the monument's air quality. There is concern about radionuclides released from INEL activities, including the processing and storing of nuclear waste. This is being monitored at Craters of the Moon by the U.S. Department of Energy and Idaho State University.

Activities on Adjacent Lands

Nearly all lands adjacent to Craters of the Moon are under BLM management; there are only a few adjoining or nearby parcels of private land. Monument roads in the north unit, which connect to BLM-managed public land, are closed to visitor vehicle use except for access to the group campground. Closure of these roads limits access from BLM lands by recreational users, particularly hunters. For visitor safety and to reduce illegal hunting in the monument, the north unit of the monument is closed to visitors during the hunting season.

Hunting pressure is heavy along the north boundary of the monument, and illegal hunting of mule deer in the monument is a continuing problem. People associated with this problem range from hunters who are unaware that they are in the monument to poachers.

Trespass grazing of sheep and cattle from BLM grazing allotments outside the monument historically has been a problem in the north end of the monument. Under a proposed revision, boundary lines would be changed to follow topographic features rather than section lines. The boundary modification also would simplify fencing of that area to exclude livestock. (Fences following section lines on steep slopes are difficult to keep in place because of pressure from creeping snow.) A readily identifiable boundary also would be helpful for fire management and as guidance for prospectors if mineral exploration should take place in the area. In addition, the adjustment of the north boundary would protect the monument's potable water supply, which consists of four springs and two wells. The boundary at the north end has been surveyed and marked, but this has not been done in the entire south section of the park, where much of the boundary is on lava flows.

BLM-administered public land adjacent to the monument is open to mineral exploration. Exploration is being carried out on active mineral claims on some of the lands adjacent to the north boundary of the monument. Interest in mineral development, which is high at present, varies with prices, causing surges in activity. Recently, interest has increased in disseminated, low-grade gold deposits amenable to leaching, so exploration and mining activity in the Pioneer Mountains north of the monument is likely to continue and probably will increase. Mining can affect water resources, wildlife, and vegetation and cause visual impacts, erosion, and increased local traffic. As of February 1991, there were 184 current unpatented mining claims within 1 mile of the Craters of the Moon boundary, with 100 more claims within 2 miles.

There are several borrow pits adjacent to the monument boundary and within a mile of the boundary to the north. It is not known whether these pits are active. Should they become active, there could be impacts on the monument similar to those described for mining.

During the mid-1980s, extensive oil and gas exploration was conducted on the Snake River Plain basalt flows and bordering regions. While some oil and gas was found, the quantities proved to be uneconomical because of the expense of drilling through basalt. Surface samples collected from the Pioneer Mountains just north of the monument suggest that there is some oil and gas potential. Chevron conducted exploratory drilling for oil and gas in 1988 in Big Cottonwood Canyon, which is very close to the monument boundary. There is no current exploration activity or interest in hydrocarbon extraction near the monument.

The aquifer that underlies Craters of the Moon National Monument could be affected by well drilling or pollution on adjacent lands. The aquifer could be diminished or depleted if large amounts of groundwater were removed. Wells drilled recently at Arco are deeper than previous wells; however, it is not known positively if the Arco wells are tapping an aquifer shared with the monument.

Contamination of a part of the Snake River aquifer by activities of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory is well documented within the site and is currently the subject of a cleanup effort. Contamination of the perched aquifer and the springs that provide potable water to the monument is highly unlikely.

The National Park Service and the BLM work together to manage these adjoining lands in a manner that is compatible with the mission of each agency. Cooperation between the agencies is implemented both by informal agreements and by formal memorandums of understanding. There also is a memorandum of understanding between the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the National Park Service regarding intergovernmental cooperation in the preservation, use, and management of wildlife resources in the monument and on adjacent federal and state lands.

Potential Future Activities

There is a potential for recreational development on private land west of the monument. The development is only in the conceptual stage now, but interest could increase if Idaho tourism grows. A large development would bring significantly more visitors to the monument, with associated impacts.

Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, about 25 miles northeast of the monument, is involved in energy research and development, including nuclear power development and nuclear waste storage. There is a remote possibility of an accident involving nuclear material; if this should occur it could affect the monument.

ACCESS AND TRAFFIC CIRCULATION

Access problems begin at the turnoff into the headquarters area from U.S. 20-26-93. A profusion of signs confuses visitors as they turn east from the highway to enter the visitor center area. The short distance between the highway intersection and the visitor center parking areas causes a number of traffic problems. From the entrance just after the turnoff, drivers must make a left turn to the north to enter one of the two parking areas for the visitor center. There are no turn lanes; this sometimes causes traffic to be lined up back to the highway intersection. The first turn leading into the first parking area may be blocked by vehicles leaving that area. Currently that access is designated an exit only, but new visitors may not see that there is another entrance to the parking area, and they may not see the second parking area farther along the access road. To add to the congestion, maintenance and staff vehicles also enter the road in this area.

Buses and large RVs will not fit the spaces in the parking areas, which were designed for automobiles. Each such vehicle generally must occupy two or more spaces.

After stopping at the visitor center, visitors must make a left turn across traffic if they want to reenter the access road and drive farther southeast to the campground or to the loop drive that leads to the scenic areas of the monument.

Another area of congestion is an entrance station in the campground a short distance east of the visitor center. Adjacent to the entrance station are eight sites for camping and picnicking, the main exit from the campground, an intersection with a service road to a maintenance storage yard, and a pullout with an information exhibit where visitors can self register when the entrance station is closed. Two more campsites and the main entrance to the campground are a short distance farther along the same road. Congestion in this small area can be severe. The campsites near this location are less than desirable until traffic abates in the evening.

Curbs have been placed on both sides of almost the entire 5.6 miles of the scenic loop drive to reduce resource damage that can be caused by people stopping randomly and driving off the pavement. However, visitors have problems with this road: tight-radius curves and the curbing make the road seem narrow (although it meets park road standards); an 18% downgrade at one point unnerves some visitors; there is little room for bicycles; and transverse cracks across most of the road at fairly regular intervals make for a bumpy ride. There are relatively few passing points on the one-way road section, and visitors who stop to take photographs can block traffic in some areas.

INFORMATION AND INTERPRETATION

Several waysides along the U.S. highway near Craters of the Moon offer limited information about the monument, but they do not properly introduce the experience ahead. Information and orientation are available at the visitor center and, to a lesser extent, at an exhibit adjacent to the entrance station.

Exhibits in the visitor center (which was built as a part of the Mission 66 program) are about 30 years old. The content of the exhibits is acceptable; however, current research is providing additional knowledge about volcanism and other monument resources that is not reflected in the exhibits.

The visitor center does not have adequate facilities for audiovisual programs. An excellent five-minute videotape offered at the monument illustrates more current information than that shown in the exhibits. Visitors can push a button to start the program, but because it is shown on a television screen set into a wall, it is difficult for more than five or six people to see the video. There is no seating, and the arrangement of the screen is such that access to other exhibits is blocked by people watching the tape.

Since the small visitor center does not have space for the orientation of groups to the monument, school or tour bus groups generally gather outside on the lawn. This can be unsatisfactory in stormy weather or when there are several groups.

The fact that visitors can borrow descriptive brochures for self-guiding trails is not publicized, so most visitors seem to think they must purchase one to use it. (Since borrowed brochures are often crumpled, their utility for reuse or sale is limited.)

No interpretation of Big Sink is offered. This striking volcanic feature is an important element of the Craters of the Moon story: the perched pond set above the surrounding area was once a lava lake.

Many schools have requested the environmental education programs that are offered in May and September, but a shortage of personnel to conduct the programs has necessitated drastic reductions in the length of time an interpreter can spend with each group. Attention has been shifted to providing advance teacher training and printed materials so that teachers can conduct their own classes in the monument with just a short introductory talk from an interpreter.

Services such as guided walks in the monument also suffer when funding is low. For example, in 1990 the usual seasonal staff of 14 was reduced to 5. These limitations also curtail off-site school programs and community outreach programs, which are effective and important ways to present critical issues such as resource management concerns.

FACILITIES

Visual Intrusions

The monument lacks an architectural theme for its signs, restrooms, buildings, and other facilities. There are numerous visual intrusions in the landscape, starting with the profusion of signs at the entrance and the clutter of kiosks, campsites, and traffic cones at the entrance station in the campground. Maintained and manicured lawns are inappropriate in this setting. At waysides, the clutter of signs, trash cans, and exhibits intrudes on the natural scene, as do highly visible structures in the developed area and various structures and utility lines on ridges. Some paved trails have become excessively high and/or wide through repaving. Loose chips that spread from asphalt-base trails are another visual problem.

Visitors

Neither of the two restrooms at the campground is truly accessible for visitors with physical disabilities, although both have been modified to make them reasonably accessible. A designated campsite for disabled persons adjoins one restroom. The restrooms are adequate for the size of the campground, but some campsites are some distance from one. Water faucets and trash receptacles are available throughout the campground. Curb cuts are lacking at many of the roadside pullouts.

Tables in the campground may be used for picnicking, and there are some tables on the lawn next to the visitor center, but their presence encourages longer parking during the peak congestion period.

Relatively minor damage has been caused in some areas by visitors going off trails. Erosion of volcanic features along established trails is a problem; to some extent, this is a necessary sacrifice to permit visitors to enjoy the monument. The spatter cones and north crater flow are closed by signing to off-trail use; however, impacts continue to occur. The path up Inferno Cone is continually eroding because travel to this popular and important feature is heavy.

Monument facilities are ill-suited to bicycle use, which is increasing. The curbs along most of the loop drive and the perceived narrowness of the road make bicycling hazardous. No designated trails are available for mountain bikes, but with permits bicycles may use the dirt roads in the north end of the monument except during the hunting season. These roads are closed to visitor vehicle traffic except for access to the group campground.

Monument Operations

Many sites in the campground are not large enough to accommodate large RVs; others are large enough but not suitably level. The campground is highly visible from the highway, the visitor center, and the employee housing area.

The visitor center contains several offices and work space for the staff, but space is at a premium. The staff has had to convert maintenance workshop space and, at times, an apartment for office use. With portions of the maintenance building converted to temporary offices, the remaining space is inadequate for maintenance functions. No space is available for meetings, and on at least one occasion a vacant residence has been used for that purpose. Storage space with security and proper environmental conditions is needed for the museum collection. Reference library space is limited, and more room is needed for storage of criminal evidence. Office space in existing buildings is very limited; this has become a critical problem with the addition of new positions in the fields of resource management and maintenance. There is also a serious lack of storage for supplies and materials in the existing facilities.

The visitor center and maintenance building were built when energy costs were not considered important. Thermal blanket window coverings have helped conserve the use of energy in the offices, and enclosing the entry porch also has reduced energy consumption. Other insulation has been added as maintenance space was converted to offices, but the structures still are not energy-efficient.

Excessive heating in the visitor center has been a problem, with summertime indoor temperatures exceeding 89°F. The existing furnace is being modified to provide cool night air, and the use of air-conditioning may be necessary.

Poorly insulated workshops make winter work difficult. There is little or no vehicle storage space; this can be critical in winter. Storage space for equipment also is inadequate, and the storage of flammable materials does not meet code. Proper storage is also needed for pesticides, paint, and other hazardous materials. Because the vehicle storage bays are unheated, the monument's structural/wildland fire truck must be drained of water to prevent freezing; therefore, it cannot be maintained in a state of readiness.

Recent renovation of the duplexes and single-family housing has greatly increased the energy efficiency of those units — additional insulation and more efficient windows were installed. Like the visitor center, the essentially uninsulated apartments are expensive to heat. The apartment building cannot be used in winter since the plumbing is uninsulated and all units must be heated if one is to be used. Rehabilitation of the existing seasonal housing apartments is being considered to allow for extending the season of use.

The use of housing at Craters of the Moon fluctuates with the preferences of individual employees and families. Some prefer to live in Arco; others prefer to live at the monument. Some occupancy at the monument is essential for protection of resources, facilities, and visitors. Availability of housing in Arco fluctuates with the local economy, driven by mining, agriculture, and INEL. It is difficult to predict the supply of housing and the fluctuations in the market value of a home purchase from one season to the next in Arco. Opportunities for seasonal rentals in Arco are generally very limited.

Existing housing in the monument is small but adequate; no new permanent housing is needed at present. However, with increased visitation and new responsibilities, new housing may be necessary in the future. If so, a housing location study will be initiated at that time. Outside storage units for each permanent quarters are needed.

ISSUES AND CONCERNS NOT CONSIDERED FURTHER

Some visitors have requested an RV waste disposal station within the monument, but it does not seem feasible for the Park Service to provide this because of the complexity of treatment in the crowded developed area. Disposal stations are available at commercial facilities in Arco and at state facilities in the region.

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