WSPC01202

• File Number: 8210.761.09
• Description: Colorado River-Federal Agencies-US NPS-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/3000
• Title: General Management Plan 1-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument and Curecanti National Recreation Area
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Land-Based Prescriptions

Specific guidance for each area is described
using the following six categories: visitor
experience, access, natural resource
management, cultural resource management,
facilities, and maintenance.

Primitive

Management provides wilderness
experiences. Challenge and adventure for
visitors are high and are in an environment
free of human influence and alteration.
Natural processes and conditions would be
perpetuated. The setting is composed of an
unaltered natural landscape. Encounters
with other people are infrequent, and there
are no facilities present unless essential to
protect resources or provide for visitor
safety and well-being. There is no motorized
access.

Visitor Experience. The primitive area
provides abundant opportunities to
experience the backcountry wilderness in
solitude. It is reserved for hiking, fishing,
nature observation, climbing, kayaking, and
primitive camping. Off-site interpretation and
education are stressed.

Generally visitors are isolated from human
sights and sounds. Visitors can experience a
feeling of closeness with nature and there is
the opportunity to experience solitude,
tranquillity, and quiet because encounters
with others are few. A high degree of
challenge, self-reliance, and risk is prevalent
for visitors to this area, and knowledge and
use of outdoor survival and wilderness skills
are highly recommended.

Evidence of recreational use is generally not
readily apparent except along trails, access
routes, and backcountry campsites. Resource
manipulation is kept to a minimum, but some
resource management actions may be
required to reduce the impacts of visitor use.

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A limited number of interpretive exhibits or
signs may be needed to meet objectives of
protecting the resource. Rules and
regulations are explained to visitors before
they enter the wilderness.

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Management helps to ensure an experience
in an untrammeled, primeval environment.
Evidence of other visitors is also small, and
there is a sense of being immersed in a
natural landscape, without comforts and
conveniences. Visitors commit to a high level
of time and energy.

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Access. Access is difficult. The area within
designated wilderness is roadless, and
visitors may travel cross country or on low-
standard trails that provide connections over
ridge lines, to the canyon rim and to the
river. Discovery and adventure are the order
of the day.

Public access is by foot, except for trails also
designated for horseback use. Within the
wilderness, aircraft use is only permitted for
emergencies and necessary administrative
functions. Aircraft and vehicle use within the
primitive prescription area but outside of
wilderness is limited to emergencies and
administrative functions.

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Natural Resource Management. The natural
environment is preserved to the maximum
extent possible while accommodating low-
density backcountry use. Naturally
occurring species are maintained or
reestablished, and populations of sensitive
species are protected and augmented. The
introduction of nonnative species is
prevented to the extent possible, and
attempts are made to eliminate introduced
species before they became established. The
NPS maintains close control over resource-
damaging activities.

Monitoring is carried out regularly, and
mitigating measures (revegetation, species

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