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<br />change (from national monument to national park) and an increase in diversity resulting <br />from combining the existing monument with the resources and recreation opportunities <br />primarily associated with the Lower Gunnison Gorge. An effective marketing program <br />could generate an increase in tourism (and tourism expenditures) of 2 to 5 percent more <br />than would be possible if the same program operated under existing conditions. <br /> <br />The greatest potential for increasing visitation will result from lands presently included <br />within the monument, considering visitation to the monument exceeded 270,000 during <br />1988. Each 1 percent increase in visitation to the monument alone is equivalent to <br />approximately 2,700 visitors. Assuming trip expenditures similar to those at Mesa Verde <br />($18.00), this would result in increased expenditures of approximately $50,000. <br /> <br />Land Ownership. 97 percent of the lands that constitute the GGRLA are managed by <br />BLM. 1,947 acres are private land used for grazing. No permanent year-around <br />residences are located within the study area. BLM currently plans to acquire 2,200 non- <br />Federal acres that would be necessary to facilitate public access and enhance recreational <br />values. <br /> <br />72 <br />