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The Gunnison: A Basin In Balance a. Recreation and the Environment In the Upper Basin, where tourism is the predominant industry, the Gunnison River supports a burgeoning recreation economy. Fishing, kayaking, rafting, and flat-water recre- ation (on Blue Mesa and Taylor Park Reservoirs) together generate tens of millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs for the local and state economies. One local expert esti- mates 60% of the basin's residents have jobs somehow related to tourism: "That two of the top three activities are boating and fishing tells you how important rivers are to us here."34 Clearly, the Gunnison River and its tributaries are a treasured resource for people from all over the state and country. ?? zs- ,? .,?? , . •, x"1:4-"''"`??+, -4 a Recent figures reveal that each year r rafters make 20,000 day trips and contribute f $4 million to the local economy.35 Some of x the most popular streams in the entire state, The spectacular Black Canyon of the Taylor River and Lottis Creek, get roughly Gunnison depends on adequate stream 8,000 anglers during the summer alone." flows to support its channel character and The National Park Service found that in fisheries. 1995, Black Canyon of the Gunnison Photo by Jeff Widen National Park generated $12.3 million in annual revenues, $1.1 million in increased tax revenue, and 307 jobs.37 In the same year, the Curecanti National Recreation Area, surrounding and including Blue Mesa Reservoir, generated $21 million in sales, $1.8 million in increased tax revenues, and 533 jobs. Visitors in 2001 numbered 200,000 at the Black Canyon and close to 1 mil- lion at Curecanti.38 From an economic standpoint, the recreational values of the basin outperform agricultural contributions many times over. . Sample of Tourism and Recreation Economic Benefits Area Black Canyon Park Visitors 200,000 Revenue $12,300,000 Sales Taxes $1,100,000 Jobs 307 Curecanti Recreation Area 1,000,000 $21,000,000 $1,800,000 533 In-stream uses, both above and below Aspinall, are supported by a variety of institutions and statutory authority. They include in-stream flow water rights, other water rights, CRSPA and other federal law, including the Endangered Species Act. Gunnison Basin Water • 9