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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THE PROPOSAL AND
ALTERNATIVES

Four alternatives including the proposal are
presented in this chapter. The proposal
represents a new general management plan
for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National
Monument and Curecanti National
Recreation Area. Alternatives provide for
distinctly different levels of use, visitor
orientation to resources, and visitor services.
Tbe same set of management prescriptions
noted on the next few pages are applied in
various combinations to describe each
alternative. Combinations of management
prescriptions establish the complete strategy
for management of lands within the
boundary. Prescriptions are based largely on
resource values, with provision made for
retention of existing development, and their
use varies based on each alternative's general
theme.

All alternatives consider a broad strategic
management scbeme for the park. Tbis does
not preclude development options and
partnerships outside park boundaries as long
as these proposals are supportive and
consistent with the park's chosen
management direction. Alternative sites
within the park boundaries for visitor
contact, maintenance, and administration
would be evaluated when proposals are
presented. Partnerships with other agencies
and local entities would be explored to
minimize cost, impacts on resources, and
provide consolidated services to the public.

Alternatives for visitor use, development,
commercial services, and park operations
range from no action (continuation of
existing management) to establishing new
use patterns while broadening protection of
natural resources. Alternatives are broad and
strategic in nature, requiring additional-site
specific environmental analysis to be

completed at the time of conceptual design.
Tbis would require an environmental
assessment; or if impacts were determined to
have significant impacts on the environment,
preparation of an environmental impact
statement would be required.

Alternative A describes the no-action
alternative, what would happen if existing
management continues. Alternative B
describes an alternative with a balanced mix
of recreational experiences, that would
capitalize on the unique aspects that each
park brings to the recreational experiences.
Alternative C describes an alternative that
would provide for more primitive recreation
experiences and encourage visitors to seek
more developed recreational experiences in
other areas outside the park boundaries.
Alternative D would provide for more
developed recreational experiences while at
the same time protecting sensitive resources.

Pending Legislative Proposals

Legislation has been introduced several times
over past years, in botb the House and
Senate, to designate Black Canyon as a
National Park, establish Curecanti as a
National Recreation Area, and beighten
protection of the Gunnison Gorge. In 1995,
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
introduced S. 1424, which if enacted, would
affect tbe status of these three areas. This
bill includes four primary components:

. Renames the National Monument as Black
Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, with no
adjustments to the present boundary;

. Designates the Gunnison Gorge as a National
Conservation Area;

. Establishes Curecanti National Recreation Area
as a unit of the national park system;

. And establishes the Black Canyon of the
Gunnison National Park Complex.

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