News Release

Lassen Volcanic National Park Seeks Public Input for a Proposal to Replace Failing Septic System for the Drakesbad Guest Ranch

Drakesbad Lodge and Meadow

NPS photo

News Release Date: March 13, 2019

Contact: Michael McGraw, 530-595-6186

Lassen Volcanic National Park Superintendent Jim Richardson invites public comment for a 30-day public scoping period of the Replacement of Drakesbad Wastewater Disposal Project. Public comments received during the public scoping period will help identify issues, concerns, and other alternatives to evaluate in an environmental assessment of the project.

The Drakesbad Guest Ranch is located at the end of the Warner Valley Road in the Warner Valley, about 45 miles outside of Chester, CA, in the south east portion of the park. The Drakesbad Guest Ranch is part of the Drakesbad Guest Ranch Historic District, and the facilities include a lodge, dining hall, cabins, duplex units, bath house, for the thermal pool, employee housing, laundry facilities, and public restrooms. They are operated by a concession on a seasonal basis, closing for the winter.

At Drakesbad, the wastewater system consists of a gravity sewer collection to a septic tank and effluent pump station that delivers wastewater up to a disposal field. During the summer of 2017, wastewater was seen surfacing on the ground indicating a failure of the leach field. Without a functioning wastewater system, the area would be unsuitable for visitor use and the existing facilities would need to be closed.

To address these and other issues, the environmental assessment considers two alternatives. The No Action alternative proposes to continue existing management of the Drakesbad wastewater system. Alternative 2, proposes to construct a new wastewater disposal field at Drakesbad.

Because public participation is very important to the success of the project, the National Park Service (NPS) encourages your input and comment during the scoping period. Comments will be accepted through April 11, 2019. Comments can be submitted online by visiting http://parkplanning.nps.gov/DrakesbadSepticSystem , the website for the NPS’s Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) system. The NPS prefers comments to be submitted in writing on the same site. 

However, comments may also be sent to:
Superintendent, Lassen Volcanic National Park, P.O. Box 100, Mineral, California 96063

Commenters should be aware that their entire comment – including personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While commenters can ask that their personal identifying information be withheld from public review, the National Park Service cannot guarantee that this will be possible.

For more information, please visit nps.gov/lavo; contact the park at [phone] or e-mail us; or find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or Flickr as LassenNPS.

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