PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Planning and Development

One of the chief deficiencies apparent to Park Service officials in the early 1970s (as well as prior years) was the monument's lack of planning documents to guide management decisions. By the end of the decade, great strides had been accomplished to correct the situation. The monument's master plan had not been updated since 1959. A new master plan was completed in 1972; it would be updated again in 1978. By 1978 the monument had a variety of approved management plans. These included an Outline for Planning Requirements (February 1976), Structural Fire Plan (1976), Statement for Management (March 14, 1977), Resource Management Plan (January 31, 1977), Master Plan (March 14, 1978), Visitor Use Plan and General Development Plan (both included in the master plan), and Interim Interpretive Plan (March 24, 1977).

Prepared during August 1971, the Park Activity Standards report was sent to Director Kowski for Pipe Spring National Monument in early October. [2227] It was estimated at the time that to address deficiencies in all areas of operation would require $26,120. This figure was revised in December to $35,740 to include funds for curatorial work. Neither figure included the flood protection project, for which the Midwest Region had allocated $16,300. (The monument's total operating budget for fiscal year 1972 was about $48,000.)

As mentioned earlier in this chapter, the old comfort station was removed in 1974. No new construction projects were undertaken at Pipe Spring during the 1970s until 1979. That year the 1953 maintenance building was overhauled. In addition to the installation of four-inch insulation, drywall and ceiling, a new roof was put on the building and it was completely rewired. The old oil-pan stove was replaced with two new electric wall heaters. New roofs were also put on the storage trailer and hay barn. A new 1,000-gallon fuel storage tank was buried in the maintenance area to replace the above-ground 500-gallon tank, considered an eyesore. [2228]