http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8g165z3 No online items Finding aid of the Central Files Sonia Collazo Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks 47050 Generals Highway Three Rivers, CA 93271-9700 Phone: (559) 565-3133 Fax: (559) 565-3133 Email: Ward_Eldrege@nps.gov URL: http://www.nps.gov/seki 2017 National Park Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP. All rights reserved. Finding aid of the Central Files SEKI 22570 1
Finding aid of the Central Files Collection number: SEKI 22570 Museum and Archives Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Three Rivers, California Processed by: Sonia Collazo Date Completed: 2012 Encoded by: Louis Knecht 2017 National Park Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP. All rights reserved. Descriptive Summary Title: Central files Dates: 1935-2001 Bulk Dates: 1975-1996 Collection number: SEKI 22570 Creator: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park (Calif.) Collection Size: 69 linear feet46 boxes Repository: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Museum and Archives. Three Rivers, CA 93271-9700 Abstract: Records generated within the organizational divisions of Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park ranging from 1935-2001. Physical location: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks. Ash Mountain Headquarters, Archive. Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English Access Collection is open for research by appointment. Publication Rights Many collections are former federal government records and are in the public domain. Other collections are from private sources; copyright has been transferred to the NPS on most. Some collections have publication restrictions. Staff will assist researchers in determining copyright status of selected materials. Researchers are required to properly credit all materials used. The researcher assumes responsibility for acquiring copyright permissions when needed. Preferred Citation Central files, SEKI 22570. Courtesy of the National Park Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Acquisition Information This collection came from the central files of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park for the years 1935-2001 with the bulk of the files dating from 1975-1996. Biography / Administrative History Since the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916, the office of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park's superintendent and its support divisions have been responsible for all park programs and functions supporting the mission of resource management for natural, cultural, and recreational areas. During the bulk of its history, Kings Canyon National Park, created in 1940, has been administered jointly with Sequoia National Park. The central records of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, created by all offices and divisions within the park, document the park's mission and ensure accountability to the public and Congress. Over the course of the twentieth century, the emphasis of park management changed from visitation to conservation. Originally, the organization of the parks consisted of Ranger, Maintenance, and Administration divisions. During the latter part of the twentieth century, the Ranger Division's functions of interpretation and natural resource management expanded into the divisions of Interpretation and Natural Resources Management Finding aid of the Central Files SEKI 22570 2
reflecting this change. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park's central files contain records for the years 1935-2001 with the bulk of the files dating from 1975-1996. The divisions of Administration, Planning and Concessions Management, and Science and Natural Resources Management created major portions of the records in the course of their activities. During this period, challenges facing the park included air pollution, inadequate facilities, mandates from environmental legislation, and visitor impact on developed areas. Major initiatives during this period include planning and implementing the restoration of the Giant Forest, the development of the prescribed burn program, and requirements for environmental impact studies. The 1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) required evaluation and mitigation of environmental consequences for all major federal actions with public input as part of the evaluation process. NEPA led to an increase in environmental impact statements/studies with public feedback recorded. NEPA, as well as the 1963 Leopold report and the 1964 Wilderness Act, recommended more scientifically based resource management. Resource management duties now included activities such as monitoring of air quality, fires, mineral mining activity, nonnative species, and wildlife with an increase in records to document these activities. Between 1953 and 2009, the National Park Service (NPS) used the NPS-19 Records Disposition Schedule system of file codes to organize and manage records. This method of organization was an alphanumeric system, which consisted of primary key letters (ranging from A to Y) representing major functional categories and secondary numbers representing the type of records being filed. Records already created and received under the old system need not be re-organized and, as such, are organized by NPS-19 file code and then by dates within each file code. Records created prior to 1953 were later filed according to the NPS-19 codes by the division and remained part of the records until they were closed and transferred to the archive. Scope and Content of Collection The collection consists of park records encompassing analyses, correspondence, licenses, permits, reports, legal documents, memoranda, photographs, and slides. The collection documents the park's administration and management; concessions; planning; fiscal matters; history and archeology; interpretation and information; land and recreation; natural and social sciences; supplies, procurement and property; lands and legal matters; and fire management and forestry. The records detail the resource management mission of the park related to the acquisition, planning, management, and protection of lands and natural and cultural resources under the stewardship of the National Park Service (NPS). Organized into XI series following the alphanumeric NPS- 19 disposition schedule file code: Series I: A series - Administration and Management; Series II: C series - Concessions; Series III: D series - Development and Maintenance (Planning); Series IV: F series - Fiscal; Series V: H series - History and Archeology; Series VI: K series - Interpretation and Information; Series VII: L series - Land and Recreation; Series VIII: N series - Natural and Social Sciences; Series IX: S series - Supplies, Procurement, and Property; Series X: W series - Lands and Legal Matters; and Series XI: Y series - Fire Management and Forestry. All series are arranged by NPS-19 file code and then by dates within each file code. Indexing Terms The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park (Calif.) Sequoia National Park (Calif.)--Management Fire management Forestry Park concessions Search and rescue operations Related Material No. Finding aid of the Central Files SEKI 22570 3
Series I A-Series: Administration and Management 1956-1998 1977-1996 Series I A-Series: Administration and Management 1956-1998 1977-1996 Physical Description: Approximately 10 boxes The series consists of correspondence, inspection records, manuals, memorandum, photographs, organizational records, and reports documenting management and accountability for the resource management mission of the park. The records pertain to the tasks involved with the planning, organizing, staffing, directing, internal/external reporting, public relations (with photographs) and controlling of park activities, including agreements with other agencies, such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The centennial of Sequoia National Park celebration is also documented. Series II C-Series: Concessions 1959-1997 1970-1993 Physical Description: Approximitely 4 boxes The series consists of contracts, correspondence, insurance records, licenses, memorandum, and permits relating to the management of commercial services for park visitors. During this period, concessioners removed facilities from the Giant Forest as part of its restoration. Series III D Series: Development and Maintenance (Planning) 1956-2000 1976-1993 Physical Description: Approximately 7 boxes The series consists of contracts, correspondence, memorandum, proposals, and reports relating to the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance of NPS facilities, properties, utilities, and infrastructure. The contractors and projects are: 1. Stu's Glass (CX 8550-4-0001) a. Install dual windows (1984) 2. McGuire and Hester (CX 8000-5-9009) a. Clover Creek Water System/Road Development (1985-1989) b. Clover Creek Development (1986) 3. PK Contractors (CX 8000-5-9010) a. GG sewage treatment plant (1986-1990) 4. Western Utility (CX 8000-5-9006) a. RCds, Pkg and Util. (1986-1989) 5. International Contractors, INC. (CX 8000-6-9004) a. Lodgepole Collection System Improvements, sewer rehab (1986) 6. Mann Construction Co. (CX 8000-6-9009) a. Sewage Treatment Expansion (1986-1989) 7. Eldridge Equipment, INC. (CX 8000-7-9010) a. Rehab Dorst CG (1987-1988) 8. Wadman Corporation (CX 8000-7-9001) a. Investigation of earth material and ground water conditions Clover Creek and Red Fir Area (1987-1988) b. Post Construction Evaluation Red Fir Area (1989-1990) 9. GENTZ (CX 8000-9-9002) a. Construction Dorst CG -- Phase 2 (1988-1991) 10. Sun Eagle Corp (Pkg. #200E CX 8000-0-9002) a. Clover Creek Fire Sta., Residences, and Comfort Station (1992) Construction Contracts files under D5217 are arranged by date and by contractor within a given date. Finding aid of the Central Files SEKI 22570 4
Series IVF Series: Fiscal 1952-1999 1972-1995 Series IV F Series: Fiscal 1952-1999 1972-1995 Physical Description: Approximately 7 boxes The series consists of accounting and audit records, contracts, and reports pertaining to fiscal matters involved with the advance, transfer, and allocation of funds for NPS activities including budgets, programs, travel, and quarters. The arrangement of Budgets filed under F30 is chronological but a few of the folders (specifically the ones that list an FY year in the folder heading) spanned a range of years. Series V H-Series: History and Archeology 1941-1999 1975-1993 Physical Description: Approximately 1 box The series consists of documents and reports relating the history of the park including park histories, archeological programs, acquisitions, collections management, cultural resources studies/research, historic preservation programs, and NPS external programs such as the National Register of Historic Places and National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings. Series VI K-Series: Interpretation and Information 1969-1998 1976-1996 Physical Description: Approximately 2 boxes The series consists of reports, publications, and other literature related to interpretive and educational programs for park visitors developed by park, regional, and headquarters staff. The series also consists of bulletins, news media, press releases, and reports pertaining to management of NPS data and information resources, and public image management. Series VII L-Series: Land and Recreation 1936-2001 1966-1993 Physical Description: Approximately 6 boxes The series consists of boundary adjustment records, land protection plans, permits, records of holdings, and environmental impact reports (with slides and photographs); and studies related to the acquisition, disposal, and protection of lands and natural resources including land use such as grazing, mining, recreation, and rights of way for dams, roads, services, utilities, and water. Recreation activities include camping, hiking, mountain climbing, riding, and winter sports. Additional materials detail cooperation with other parks, historic sites, and organizations. Finding aid of the Central Files SEKI 22570 5
Series VIIIN-Series: Natural and Social Sciences 1935-2000 1966-1995 Series VIII N-Series: Natural and Social Sciences 1935-2000 1966-1995 Physical Description: Approximately 6 boxes The series consists of research, reports, and studies related to the management and protection of natural resources and wildlife under the stewardship of NPS including animal and plant life, energy, geological features, natural landmarks, natural areas, pollution/environmental quality of air and water, visitor use, and weather and climate. Animal and plant life consist of: amphibians and reptiles, birds, fish, mammals, insects and invertebrates, and plants. Geologic features consist of: seismology (earthquakes), speleology (caves), volcanology (volcanoes), and water (fresh and marine). Additional materials detail pest and weed, and soil and moisture control. By the later 1970's and early 1980's, air pollution effects, such as acid rain, became evident in the park. Series IX S-Series: Supplies, Procurement, and Property 1989-1996 1992-1995 Physical Description: Less than 1 box The series consists of correspondence, memorandum, and instructions and procedures pertaining to supplies, procurement, and property for the park including aircraft and uniforms. Series X W-Series: Lands and Legal Matters 1957-1997 1975-1994 Physical Description: Approximately 1 box The series consists of correspondence, memorandum, and reports relating to the protection, safety, and security of park visitors, employees, concessionaires, public and private property, and natural and cultural resources, including decisions, investigations, law enforcement records, search and rescue (SAR) records, and legislation. Series XI Y-Series: Fire Management and Forestry 1967-1995 1971-1992 Physical Description: Approximately 2 boxes The series consists of correspondence, memorandum, and reports detailing wildland fire management, forestry and range conservation, and the management and protection of forestry natural resources. Fire management includes presuppression, suppression, and prescribed fire. Sequoia was the first national park to conduct a prescribed burn as part of the Hartesveldt study. Forestry and range conservation and management activities include hazard trees and wood products, including wood utilization and timber cutting. The files were pulled from central files by forester Tom Warner and held in the Forestry collection. Finding aid of the Central Files SEKI 22570 6