Chapter II - Purpose and Need for the Plan, cont.

Planning Issues and Concerns

Specific needs or problems to be addressed in this GMP reflected in the following array of issues specific to Whitman Mission NHS. These issues were developed by NPS staff and the public through the public participation process. They are listed by category. For a more detailed description of these issues, refer to "The Affected Environment" chapter of this document. (For help in identifying the location of features, see Figure 2, Physical and Natural Features and Figure 3, Cultural Landscape and Features. Note that in Figure 3 the cultural landscape areas are taken from the 1984 Landscape Study and Management Alternatives for Revegetation.)

Issues Relating to Cultural Resource Management

Clarification on Memorialization of Whitmans
Clarification is needed regarding how the Whitmans should be memorialized. Currently, memorials exist at the Memorial Shaft and at the site of the Great Grave which includes the remains of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and eleven other people killed. There is a need to determine how these memorials will be cared for and interpreted, including any future memorials. The extent and manner of memorialization through the interpretation and protection of the overall mission site should be identified.

Issues Relating to Interpretation and Visitor Use

Inadequate Interpretation of Mission Grounds
Currently, the manicured lawns throughout the Mission Grounds do not convey the historic scene. While the outline of the exterior walls of the various mission buildings are provided by inlaid concrete blocks, no reconstructed buildings or raised three-dimensional profiles of the mission buildings exist to assist in the interpretation or understanding of the scene. Hence, the "footprints" of the buildings at the Mission Grounds are often difficult to discern. Additionally, since the Mission Period, the main channel of the Walla Walla River has meandered to the south away from the site. In light of these issues, various options for the future interpretation, maintenance, and protection of archeological and other resources within the Mission Grounds were examined during this planning process.

Issues Relating to Park Facilities, Staffing, and Operations

Identification of Infrastructure Concerns
Present and future infrastructure issues will be addressed during the planning process. Infrastructure issues include the condition and reliability of the water, sewer, electrical, and communications systems, internal road circulation, maintenance responsibilities for access roads and bridges, and suitability of existing storage facilities for curatorial, maintenance, and administrative needs.

Inadequacy of Park Security
Currently the park has one "required occupancy" (residence) to provide on-site response and an immediate presence in the area. Expertise is provided in the area of site maintenance which enables the park to respond well to potential facility or equipment breakdowns and related incidents. However, none of the current staff are commissioned law enforcement officers who can make an arrest or deal with the potential of criminal activity at the park. The park visitor center and maintenance building have an alarm security system which alerts the county sheriff's office to respond. There is a need to determine if any additional staff is needed to serve in a law enforcement capacity, or if the present security system is adequate to protect park resources, staff, and visitors.

Inadequate Staffing Needs
Staffing needs may be influenced by the proposed actions that are developed through the planning process. Future staffing requirements need to be compared with the existing permanent and seasonal workforce. Current staff shortfalls in park operational areas such as visitor services and interpretation need to be addressed. The future role of volunteers and other cooperators and partners needs to be identified to provide assistance in the operation of the park.

Inadequacy of Administrative Space
Efficiency is affected by inadequate physical space for administrative support. Current conditions result in overcrowding and congestion in the administrative office. The interpretive storage facilities are also crowded.

Issues Relating to Park Boundary and Land Protection

Defining Access Along Park Entrance Road
Access to the park entrance road from adjacent private property is by the exercise of valid existing rights. In 1961, when Walla Walla County transferred ownership of Whitman Mission Road and the newly constructed segment known as Swegle Road (from U.S. Highway 12 to the intersection with Whitman Mission Road) to the Federal Government, the National Park Service accepted title to the entrance road subject to the reservations of rights referenced in the deed, and as necessarily may be implied under Washington State law. These reserved rights generally addressed utilities and irrigation ditches. New landowners in the area that own property adjacent or in proximity to the park road must utilize existing recognized access points.

Recently, land use conversion, including residential subdivision, has occurred in the agricultural land immediately surrounding the NHS. These approved subdivisions by the County have resulted in proposals to the staff at the NHS by landowners to permit access points along the federally owned road. The NPS has four concerns: 1) The inability of NPS to grant new legal access along a federally owned road. 2) The prospect of future increases in the number of requests for granting access for subdivision development. 3) Safety issues related to numerous access points. 4) The ability of NPS to provide an attractive access road entrance to the NHS for the traveling public. At issue is the need to address how and whether future subdivision access should be legally granted onto the current federal road.

Relationship to Adjacent Land Uses
Some of the land historically cultivated by the Whitmans as part of the Mission is located to the west of the present park boundary and is privately owned. Ongoing agricultural land uses that are currently in practice surrounding the NHS on all sides are generally complementary to land protection policies of the NHS.

However, there is a fragility to this relationship since in some places there is only a small buffer, less than 55 feet, between historic structure foundations and private land. As with most private land, surrounding land uses are subject to local zoning which currently permits a wide range of land uses in a general agricultural zone. There is no guarantee that these agricultural uses will exist in the area in future years. At issue is how to ensure that compatible agricultural uses and practices will continue to occur on private lands surrounding the park. Workable, cooperative strategies between landowners, local government, and the National Park Service need to be identified and initiated to help ensure the long-term protection and retention of these important agricultural settings to the historic site.

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