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INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF STUDY The NPS, in accordance with report language from the Interior Appropriations Act (Pl 100-446,102 Stat. 1174) approved on September 27,1988, and supporting Congressional Record, was directed to conduct a study of lands adjacent to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. Refer to Figure 1 for the location of the general area studied. The primary purpose of the study was to (1) assess the subject area to determine if it included significant natural, cultural, and recreational resources related to the purpose of the monument, (2) determine if the study area or portion thereof would fill a management or administrative need for resource protection and public use in relation to the existing monument, (3) evaluate existing and other alternatives for managing the resources determined to be significant, and (4) determine if BlCA would qualify for national park status were any or all of the study area added to the existing monument. COMPLIANCE This study has been determined to be among those actions designated as categorical exclusions, exempt from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act; therefore, a formal environmental assessment of the study of alternatives will not be required. This decision is based on the guidelines contained in 516 OM 6 Appendix 7.4 B(10), which covers the "Preparation of internal reports, plans, studies, and other documents containing recommendations for action, which NPS develops preliminary to the process of preparing a specific service proposal or set of alternatives for decision." STUDY AREA AND ZONE OF INFLUENCE As referenced in Figure 1, the area evaluated is located in southwestern Colorado on the west slope of the Rockies in the counties of Montrose and Delta. The nearest towns are Montrose, Delta, Olathe, Hotchkiss, Crawford, and Paonia, Colorado. The area evaluated is located in the Third Congressional District. The primary area of concern, as indicated in the House Report language, is an area referred to as the lower Gunnison Gorge, which is situated between the west boundary of BlCA and the confluence of the North Fork and the Gunnison Rivers. However, since BlM identified the lower gorge as a part of the GGRA in their management plans, it was logical to expand the study to include the larger area in the evaluation of alternatives. Within a day's drive are four major metropolitan areas: (1) the Colorado Front Range, including Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo; (2) the Wasatch Front in Utah, including Salt Lake City, Provo and Ogden; (3) the Grand Junction/Grand Valley area; and (4) the Santa Fe/Albuquerque area of New Mexico. The total population for these areas exceeds four million (Refer to Figure 2). 3