Lassen Volcanic National Park Commercial Services Plan Approved; Modifications Made as a Result of Public Input

Date: April 26, 2007
Contact: Mary G. Martin, [phone], ext. 5101

Lassen Volcanic National Park Commercial Services Plan Approved; Modifications Made as a Result of Public Input

Lassen Volcanic National Park Superintendent Mary G. Martin announced that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed Commercial Services Plan (CSP) has been signed by the Pacific West Regional Director for the National Park Service.

During the public review of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for this plan, the park received 52 comment letters. The comment letters ranged from those who were thrilled at the idea of returning cabin and boat rentals to the area to others who were concerned about the effect the new additions could have on fishing at Manzanita Lake.

As a result of the public input, the original proposal was modified in order to better serve park visitors. The original document that was sent out for public review called for 40-60 cabins to be placed in the Old Loop B at Manzanita Lake Campground. With the final approved CSP, 20 cabins will be located in Old Loop B. A monitoring plan will then be implemented in order to determine if there are any unforeseen impacts from the cabins. If, after two years of use, it is determined that there have been no significant impacts to either the natural environment or the park’s visitors, then a maximum of 20 more cabins could be added. While the exact type of cabin to be used has not yet been determined, it is known that they will be quite modest. They will have neither private bathrooms nor kitchens.

The plan also called for the availability of rental boats at Manzanita Lake. In the final approved plan, the maximum number of boats (kayaks or row boats) available for rental will be 10 and they will be available between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. each day. The hours were chosen to keep rental boats from disturbing fly fishermen who typically fish during the early morning or late afternoon hours.

Superintendent Martin stated, “We heard from so many people who had wonderful stories about staying in the old cabins at Manzanita Lake when they were children. We will now be able to provide that type of experience for even more of today’s young people and allow them to create their own wonderful memories in this beautiful place we call Lassen Volcanic National Park.”

The complete FONSI as well as an Errata to the EA (which spells out all of the specific changes made to the plan as a result of public comment) are available at https://www.nps.gov/lavo or to request a written copy, please contact the Superintendent, Lassen Volcanic National Park, P.O. Box 100, Mineral, CA 96063, or call 1-530-595-4444, ext. 5101, Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.