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Elevenmile Ecosystem Management Project • South Park Ranger District Pike/San Isabel National Forest August, 1994 n nnn? Setting and scope The Elevenmile Area is a 24,000 acre area of land surrounding the scenic recreation area of Elevenmile Canyon in Park County near Lake George, Colorado. The area includes a portion of the South Platte River currently being studied for possible inclusion as a Wild and Scenic River. Ranching and recreation provide the economic stimulus to the adjacent communities. The area is also one hours drive from Colorado Springs and over 2 million people along the Front! Range of Colorado. Issues/problems being The project started as a rehabilitation of 10 campgrounds and picnic grounds in addressed the Elevenmile Canyon area. The problems included soil erosion, riparian and fisheries impacts, sedimentation from the road into the river, poor wildlife habitat due to the heavy recreation use and poor arrangement of facilities and thus use. The project was expanded to redevelop alternatives that considered all natural resources and not just the recreation facilities. Alternatives now include • moving all campgrounds to the rim in a previously logged area, reintroducing bighorn sheep, providing watchable wildlife opportunities, improving water • quality and fisheries, etc. Participants CROW, Trout Unlimited, CSU, Denver Waterboard, Elevenmile State Recreation Area, and several interest groups are involved in helping us reach some management solutions to the problems. Sources of technical input CDOW Fisheries Study CSU - Recreation use survey, Facility condition inventory USFS - Vegetation Surveys, ME species inventory, recreation site analysis Texas A&M University - Cultural Inventories Brief history and present This effort began in 1992 with the recreation survey by CSU and the fisheries status study by CDOW and USFS. Trout Unlimited has adopted a section of the river and are assisting in fisheries habitat improvements and accessibility improvements. The public has provided input through four open houses. Final NEPA documentation will occur in November 1994. The plan will also include a cultural interpretation portion as a result of a partnership with Texas A&M and a broad cultural inventory of the area. Funding sources Funding has included $20,000 for the recreation survey, $50,000 for the fisheries study, $10,000 worth of labor from Trout Unlimited, $100= for the cultural inventory, personnel and in-kind services from CROW, CSU, and USFS. We are currently seeking additional grants to match the CIP program funding and Trout Unlimited.