News Release

Public Is Invited To Provide Input to the Oregon Caves Preserve Management Plan and Wild and Scenic River Study

Date: April 9, 2018
Contact: Vicki Snitzler, Superintendent, 541-592-2100

The National Park Service invites the public to give their feedback on a vision for the future of the newly added 4070 acres of preserve lands at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. The park is seeking public input on the draft of the Preserve Management Plan, which will guide resource protection and visitor experiences. The National Park Service is simultaneously conducting a Wild and Scenic River Study for five streams in the park and is also seeking public comment on the draft study findings.

The National Park Service is hosting open houses in Cave Junction and Grants Pass. You are invited to meet the planning and study team, learn more about the process, comment on the preferred alternative for preserve management and wild and scenic river study findings, and share your ideas, concerns, and thoughts about this special place. A schedule is provided below.

Schedule of Open Houses

Grants Pass
Tuesday April 17, 5-7pm
The Lodge at Riverside, Oak Room 1
900 SE 8th Street Grants Pass, OR 97526

Cave Junction Area
Wednesday April 18, 5-7pm
RCC Kerby Belt Building
24353 Redwood Highway Kerby, OR 97531

The new preserve was designated by Congress in 2014, and surrounds the existing monument. The preserve includes a variety of facilities including a campground, roads, water lines, and trails. There are new National Park Service (NPS) management responsibilities, including management of hunting opportunities. In addition, the 2014 legislation requires the park to study five stream segments for potential designation within the wild and scenic rivers system.

Planning is being conducted by a multidisciplinary team, including staff and planners from the NPS and subject matter experts. Public involvement throughout the planning process is essential in the development of both the preserve management plan and the wild and scenic river study. Concerns, expectations, and values of all interested individuals and entities expressed during the public scoping period in 2016 were carefully considered and reviewed for inclusion in the plan.

All strategies and actions must be consistent with the National Park Service’s Organic Act of 1916, providing for protection of its natural and cultural resources while inviting appropriate visitor use and enjoyment of the preserve.

To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and NPS policy, the plan is evaluated through an Environmental Assessment (EA). The plan identifies issues and concerns and presents two management alternatives for public review. The EA will also analyze the environmental consequences of each of the alternatives, and identifies a preferred alternative. At the end of the EA process, after public comments have been reviewed, the NPS will issue a “Finding of No Significant Impact” which is the document that finalizes the decision on the preserve management plan.

The Wild and Scenic River Study evaluates the eligibility of five creeks for designation as Wild and Scenic Rivers, based on their free-flowing condition and presence of at least one outstandingly remarkable value. The draft study finds segments of two creeks to be eligible: Lake Creek and Upper Cave Creek. After reviewing public comments on the draft study, the NPS will provide the final study to Congress. The final study report is only a recommendation; Congress would need to take action in order for the creeks to be designated as part of the national Wild and Scenic River system.

The National Park Service has developed a newsletter that provides a brief overview of the preserve management plan and the wild and scenic river study, describes the planning process, and contains detailed information about the open houses. Copies of the newsletter are available by contacting the park via mail or phone.

To learn more about Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve visit http://www.nps.gov/orca and to submit comments visit the National Park Service Planning website http://parkplanning.nps.gov/preserveplan.

Or contact:

Vicki Snitzler, Superintendent
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve
19000 Caves Highway Cave Junction, OR 97523
Telephone: [phone]

PSA:

The National Park Service invites the public to give their feedback on a vision for the future of the newly added 4070 acres of preserve lands at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, as well as a study of Wild and Scenic River eligibility for five creeks in the park. The public is invited to make comments at open houses in Cave Junction and Grants Pass at the following times and locations.

Schedule of Open Houses

Grants Pass
Tuesday April 17, 5-7pm
The Lodge at Riverside, Oak Room 1
900 SE 8th Street Grants Pass, OR 97526

Cave Junction Area
Wednesday April 18, 5-7pm
RCC Kerby Belt Building
24353 Redwood Highway Kerby, OR 97531