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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN <br /> <br />Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument <br />Curecanti National Recreation Area <br />Montrose and Gunnison Counties, Colorado <br /> <br />A general management plan (GMP) is needed to provide the National Park Service with a long- <br />range management program for the continued protection of the unique resources found within <br />Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument (Black Canyon) and Curecanti National <br />Recreation Area (Curecanti). <br /> <br />The plan sets forth a management concept for each park; establishes a role for each park within <br />the context of regional trends and plans for conservation, recreation, transportation, economic <br />development, and regional issues; and identities the conditions necessary to resolve issues and <br />achieve management. The primary objective for park management is to guide the protection and <br />preservation of the natural and cultural environments while permitting ecological processes to <br />continue with a minimum of human disturbance. The plan also considers a variety of recreational <br />and interpretive visitor experiences that enhance the enjoyment and understanding of the park <br />resources. <br /> <br />Within this context, the purpose of this document is to provide a framework and broad, general <br />direction for park management. This document requires that proposals for future actions be <br />substantiated by further surveys and environmental assessments either prior to or as part of a <br />design or during the development of specific resource management and visitor service plans. <br />Primary emphasis is placed on providing guidance for the parks' long-term needs. <br /> <br />Major long-range issues addressed in the strategic plan and environmental assessment set <br />objectives for resource protection, visitor use and experience, and park operations. The plan also <br />establishes the necessary first steps in addressing desired ecological and social conditions and <br />capacities for the park. <br /> <br />Four alternatives have been considered for each park. The proposed action represents a new <br />general management plan for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument and Curecanti <br />National Recreation Area. Alternatives provide for distinctly different levels of use, visitor <br />orientation to resources, and visitor service. The same set of management prescriptions noted on <br />the next few pages are applied in various combinations to describe each alternative. Combinations <br />of management prescriptions establish the complete strategy for management of lands within the <br />boundary. Prescriptions are based largely on resource values, with provisions for retention of <br />existing development and uses tied to each alternative's general theme. <br /> <br />All alternatives consider a broad strategic management scheme for the park. This does not <br />preclude development options and partnerships outside park boundaries as long as these proposals <br />are supportive and consistent with the park's chosen management direction. Alternative sites <br />within the park boundaries for visitor contact, maintenance, and administration would be <br />evaluated when proposals are presented. Partnerships with other agencies and local entities <br />would be explored to minimize cost and impacts on resources and to provide consolidated <br />services to the public. <br /> <br />0.02112 <br />I <br />