WSP08850

• File Number: 8220.102.01.I
• Description: Colorado River Water Projects - Aspinall Storage Unit - General - Environmental Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/1/2003
• Author: DOI-NPS
• Title: Curecanti National Recreation Area - Personal Watercraft Use Environmental Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CONTENTS

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Summary ........ ..... .............. ... .......................... .... ._.. ...... ......... ........ .................... ...... ...... .............. ... ..... ...... ... iii

Purpose of and Need for Action..........................................................................._........................................1

Purpose of and Need for Action ............................................................................................................. 3

Scope of the Analysis............... .................. ........ ............ ......... ................................ ..... ........... ......... ...... 4

Purpose and Significance ofCurecanti National Recreation Area .........................................................4

Authorizing Inlent ofCurecanti National Recreation Area .................................................._..........4
Purpose of Curecanti National Recreation Area .............................................................................. 5
Significance ofCurecanti National Recreation Area ....................................................................... 5

Background ................................................................................................................................... ......... 6

NPS Organic Act and Management Policies ......_............................................................................6
Summary of Research on the Effects of Personal Watercraft.......................................................... 7
PWC Use and Regulation at Curecanti National Recreation Area ................................................]2

Objectives in Taking Action.................................................................................................................]4

Water Quality ...... ......._................ ............ ...... ................ ...... ................ ..... ...................................... ] 4
Air Quality ..................................................................................................................................... ] 5
Soundscapes..................................................................................................................... .............. 15
Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat ................._........................_......................................:......................15
Threatened, Endangered, and Special Concern Species ................................................................15

Shore I ine Vegetation............................... _...................................................................................... ] 5
Visitor Use and Experience .................................................................._........................................ ] 5
Visitor Conflict and Visitor Safety ................................................................................................ ] 5
Cultural Resources (Section 1 06) .................................................................................................. 16

Socioeconomics..... ........ ..... ........................ .............................. ...... .................. ................. ............ 16
Environmental Justice .......... ......... .......... ........ .......... ........ ........... .......... .................... ............ ........ ] 6
National Recreation Area Management and Operations................................................................]6

Issues and Impact Topics...................................................................................................................... ] 6

Water Quality ......... ..... ...... ....... ........ ........ ................. ...... .......... ........................ ....... ....... ............... 16
Air Quality ...................................._................................................................................................ 17
Soundscapes......................................................................................................................... .......... ] 7
Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat ........................................................................................................17
Threatened and Endangered, and Special Concern Species...._...................................................... ] 8

S horel ine V egetat ion...................................................................................................................... 18
Visitor Experience ......... ..... ................... ........ ........... ........ ........................... .............. .............. ...... ] 9
Visitor Conflicls and Safety ................................._......................................................................... 19
Cultural Resources (Section 106) .................................................................................................. ] 9

Socioeconom ics .....................................,....................................................................................... 20
National Recreation Area Management and Operations................................................................ 20
Conflict with State and Local Ordinances and Policies Regarding PWC Use............................... 20

Issues Eliminated From Further Consideration....................................................................................20

Relationship to Other Plans, Policies and Actions ............................................................................... 22

Park Policies, Plans, and Actions...................................................................................................22

IX