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

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flatwater areas. The types of visitor
activities to be accommodated include but
are not limited to camping opportunities,
wayside interpretive exhibits, interpretation
along trails, and access to hiking trails.
Opportunities for more solitude than
experienced in the developed areas could be
expected except on peak season weekends.
Human interaction and contacts with NPS
staff could be moderately frequent during
these times and infrequent during the off
season. Visitor challenge would be low due
to the presence of roads and motorized
vehicles. A moderate amount of resource
manipulation would be required to mitigate
impacts associated with moderate human use
levels. Natural conditions would be
maintained as much as possible, however,
some human intervention and alteration
would be evident along roads, at trailheads,
and in camping areas. Support facilities such
as picnic tables, fire grates, vault toilets, and
contact stations may be provided.

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Visitor Experience. There would be a sense
of remoteness and seclusion, but not of
isolation and seclusion from human activity.
Visitors would be able to reach undeveloped
areas of the park from unpaved roads and
stay overnight in rustic campsites. For those
who are unable to access more semi-
primitive areas of the park, this area would
provide an alternative and allow a rural
experience without the degree of difficulty
found in the semi-primitive areas.

A limited amount of interpretation and
education is provided. It is designed to
supplement the low-profile signs and
interpretive exhibit panels placed in selected
locations to provide information, offer
limited interpretation of park themes, ensure
protection of park resources, and provide for
visitor safety.

Access. Access is moderately difficult. No
paved roads would be provided and all
access would be on gravel surfaced roads.
Trails for hiking could originate from this
area. Short interpretive trails could allow
visitors to discover areas of special interest.
Access for physically challenged visitors
could be provided in selected areas to
provide an opportunity for these visitors to
experience representative park settings.

Natural Resource Management. The natural
character of lands is preserved to the extent
possible while accommodating moderate
visitor use levels. Any apparent effects of
visitor use would be mitigated, and disturbed
areas that caused significant visual
impairment would be restored. The
cumulative effects associated with
unacceptable levels of visitor use at
campsites or in other areas of visitor
concentration could be mitigated or
prevented by ensuring appropriate levels of
visitor use.

Cultural Resource Management. Cultural
resources identified to illustrate interpretive
themes and those listed or eligible for listing
on the National Register of Historic Places
or nominated and placed within the
Curecanti National Archeological District
could receive moderate stabilization. To
guide management decisions for resources, a
separate cultural resource management plan
(CRMP) would be prepared, which would
address treatment of individual sites.
Coordination and consultation with the State
Historic Preservation Officer would be part
of the process in developing the CRMP.

Facilities. Only limited development would
be provided and few major structures or
facilities would be present. Gravel roads,
rustic campgrounds, interpretive panels and
information signs, unpaved boat-launching
facilities, and trailheads are examples of

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