PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PLAN
There is no existing plan for the Manzanar National Historic Site. A general management plan is needed for the site to outline long-term strategies for dealing with resource protection and visitor use. Public Law 95-625 requires that general management plans be completed for each unit of the National Park System, and a general management plan is specifically mandated for Manzanar NHS by the authorizing legislation.
Planning issues
The following are the primary issues to be addressed in the general management plan:
Cultural Resource Management
The site is very rich in historic and prehistoric archeological resources, with fabric and artifacts located on virtually every square foot of the site. The site is already visited by thousands of people each year, and the resources are subject to collection, vandalism, and accidental damage from other uses. Priorities for active preservation need to be considered and strategies developed for preservation.
There is the prospect of NPS acquiring, or being offered the chance to acquire, substantial collections of museum objects related to Manzanar. The Eastern California Museum (ECM), located in nearby Independence, already has a substantial collection of Manzanar objects. Other museums have collections as well. Consideration needs to be given to the role of collections in the overall operations at Manzanar NHS and options for cooperative efforts with other organizations in lieu of extensive NPS curation.
The site is a historic landscape, and basic principles for managing the area as a landscape need to be determined.
The role of restoration and reconstruction at the site needs to be considered, considering the availability of information to allow accurate restoration/reconstruction and the need for such features to support the interpretive program. The scoping process revealed significant public interest in reconstruction of barracks and watchtowers on the site. NPS policy on reconstruction (or relocation of historic structures) is generally restrictive, requiring a demonstration that reconstruction (or relocation) is essential for public understanding, that sufficient data exist for accurate replication, and that archeological resources on the site would not be adversely affected.
Natural Resource Management
Decisions are needed regarding overall natural resource management goals and actions for the site particularly addressing surface water management, vegetation, and wildlife.
Interpretation
Appropriate interpretive themes need to be determined and general presentation strategies for those themes need to be formulated.
Visitor Facilities
Visitor contact facilities and areas for interpretive exhibits and displays would be needed. Options for walking trails and vehicle routes with wayside exhibits need to be considered. Restrooms and potable water need to be provided for visitors.
An overall vehicle circulation plan for the site is needed, considering options for use of shuttle systems as an alternative or in addition to private vehicle access. Requirements for handicapped access and multilingual text and signage must be met.
Boundary and Land Protection
The boundary included in the authorizing legislation includes only a portion of the lands included in the War Relocation Area, which encompassed approximately six thousand acres. The legislation authorizes minor changes to the boundary. Opportunities to adjust the boundary to better encompass important resources and enhance site management need to be explored.
Options for land protection need to be explored. Alternatives to be considered include cooperative agreements, leases, less-than-fee acquisition, and fee acquisition.
Cooperative Management and Partnerships
Opportunities may exist for site management efficiencies and economies through cooperative arrangements with other organizations, particularly Inyo County. These opportunities, potentially extending to law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire control, maintenance, and museum object curation, need to be explored and evaluated.
Cooperation with adjacent land managers would also be important at Manzanar. The historic site is bounded by BLM lands, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) lands, and California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) lands. Historic resources related to Manzanar are located on these lands. In addition, an LADWP grazing lease is currently in effect for the site. There is a need for coordination with these land managers and users to minimize conflicts.
Relationship to other plans
BLM has recently completed a Resource Management Plan for lands in the vicinity of Manzanar NHS. The plan recognizes Manzanar as an important historical resource and its provisions support the site's values. BLM planners have assisted in preparation of the general management plan.
The California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) is engaged in a long-term process of upgrading U.S. 395 from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway. The section bypassing Manzanar is scheduled for completion as funds become available. Coordination on the project would ensure that safe and effective access is provided without adverse effects on historic resources or the visitor experience.