Lassen Volcanic National Park Proposes New Low-Impact Lodging at Manzanita Lake

Date: January 17, 2007
Contact: Mary G. Martin, [phone], ext. 5101

Lassen Volcanic National Park Proposes New Low-Impact Lodging at Manzanita Lake; Commercial Services Plan Environmental Assessment Available for Review

Lassen Volcanic National Park Superintendent, Mary G. Martin, announced that an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed Commercial Services Plan (CSP) has been prepared and is now available for public review and comment. A previous draft of this plan and EA was sent out for public review during the summer of 2005.

Based largely on public input, it was decided to take a second look at the plan and make several changes to it based on the input received. Some of the changes from the previous EA include returning cabin lodging to the Manzanita Lake area as well as adding boat rentals at the lake and providing other visitor services.

The purpose of this plan is to provide a process for establishing the types and levels of commercial activities necessary and/or appropriate for Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the most effective and efficient method for the National Park Service to manage those activities. This plan will provide a comprehensive guide for managing commercial services in the park for ten years.

This EA analyzes three alternatives developed by an interdisciplinary planning team: 

• Alternative 1- No Action-(Current Program)
• Alternative 2-Moderate Increase in Commercial Services (Preferred)
• Alternative 3-Major Increase in Commercial Services

After careful consideration of the three alternatives, the park is proposing a preferred alternative-Alternative 2-Moderate Increase in Commercial Services. This alternative appears to most fully balance visitor experience with issues of concern, and is also the environmentally preferred alternative. This alternative proposes the return of cabin lodging to the Manzanita Lake area. This lodging would be in the form of tent cabins or yurts in the old Loop B at the Manzanita Lake Campground, along with the necessary infrastructure for such. It also proposes the potential use of several overnight yurts along the Main Park Road for cross-country skiers. Other proposed additions include, but are not limited to, non-motorized boat rentals at Manzanita Lake and a mobile food service for the more remote campgrounds.

The park is soliciting public input and comments on this important planning process. The environmental assessment is available at www.nps.gov/lavo, or to request a 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. The review period for this document will end on Friday, February 23, 2007. All review comments must be received by that time and should be sent to the Superintendent at the above address or email us at: e-mail us.