Now 18 months removed from a storm that devastated parts of Death Valley National Park, officials have detailed a proposal to rehabilitate and reopen Scotty’s Castle and the surrounding area.

The California park is taking comments on the plan, which in addition to structural repairs includes replacing the electrical, water, sewer, gas, heating and cooling, and telecommunications systems. The road to the area also needs to be rebuilt, although that is being considered under a separate proposal.

Scotty’s Castle was extensively damaged by a flash flood on October 18, 2015, when about 3 inches of rain in five hours destroyed historic buildings and other features, roads, walkways, and utilities. Since then, the historic district has been closed except for a limited number of tours focusing on the flood and recovery efforts, which quickly sold out. Death Valley Natural History Association will announce the fall tour dates later this summer.

Mud and debris have been removed from the historic buildings, walkways, and swimming pool. A temporary water line now supplies water to the historic district’s fire suppression system. Electricity has been temporarily restored to most buildings.

Over the next couple years, the Park Service plans to repair the damaged water reservoir, replace the nearly mile-long water line, replace the septic tanks and leach field, finish repairs to the electrical distribution system, rebuild the road, repair several buildings, install interpretive exhibits, bring the museum collection back to the main house, and dozens of other projects.

The total cost of recovering from the 2015 floods is estimated at $48 million. Funding is coming from entrance fees paid by Death Valley National Park visitors, which were increased in last October, plus regional and national offices of the National Park Service, Federal Highway Administration, and donations. Some of that funding went toward roads, as the Jubilee Pass section of Badwater Road reopened last July after being washed out by the storm.

After public input, an environmental assessment will be prepared. The park will also consider a no-action alternative, which would stabilize buildings and facilities to prevent further damage but not to the degree needed to restore public access to Scotty’s Castle.

To comment

• Deadline: May 18, 2017
• Online: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=297&projectID=70171&documentID=79295
• Mail: Death Valley National Park; ATTN: Scotty’s Castle Flood Rehabilitation; P.O. Box 579; Death Valley, CA 92328
• In person:
• Monday, May 1, 5 p.m. at Bob Ruud Community Center, Pahrump, Nevada
• Thursday, May 4, 5 p.m. at Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Death Valley National Park