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<br />I ' <br />,[.d.,' O?~ f:-,,\ <br />- -.. . <br /> <br />ALTERNATIVES FOR MANAGEMENT <br /> <br />BASIS FOR FORMULATING ALTERNATIVES <br /> <br />Considering the interest in the general area by the BLM and the NPS, in view of the values <br />the area offers in complementing existing Federal ownerships and management programs, <br />alternatives for management were narrowed down to only those involving the two Federal <br />Agencies. This rationale is further reinforced by the fact that both Agencies are <br />represented locally with supporting infrastructure essential to properly and effectively <br />administer the area. For the same reason, it was also determined there would be no real <br />advantage in designating the lands as being under the administration of one Federal <br />Agency yet managed by the other, Furthermore, each Agency is currently managing <br />similar resources nationwide, <br /> <br />The primary area of concern as reflected in the legislative mandate to conduct this study <br />involves the Gunnison River Gorge area downstream from the monument boundary. As <br />indicated in the Analysis of Significance section of this document, the first responsibility <br />in developing alternatives for boundary expansion is to determine if significant resources <br />are present that relate to the purpose for which a park unit was established. Upon <br />making such a determination, boundary alternatives developed to include such resources <br />should also reflect any additional lands needed to properly administer the resources as <br />well as provide for visitor use. <br /> <br />Based on the preceding, it was determined that only those lands included in Alternatives <br />1 and 2 of this document actually qualified for addition to the monument. This rationale <br />is further reinforced from the standpoint that there is an extensive and diverse multiple <br />use interest particularly in those lands adjacent to the boundaries identified in Alternatives <br />1 and 2. Such interest included development of oil and gas resources, 188 mining claims, <br />community borrow pits (bentonite), salinity control projects, water impoundment for <br />livestock, extensive semi-primitive and primitive roads which have invited use by off-road- <br />vehicles (ORVs), off-trail-motorcycles, and touring bicycles. Extensive use of firearms is <br />also evident in vandalism to signs and other forms of property. In comparison to those <br />lands included in Alternatives 1 and 2, the adjacent lands also represent the most <br />accessible and productive for supporting grazing activities. <br /> <br />Considering these factors, the NPS, with assistance from BLM, has identified three <br />alternatives for the management of those lands within the study area. In general, <br />Alternatives 1 and 2 represent modification to the boundary of BLCA, which would include <br />all ofthe Lower Gunnison Gorge area. Alternative 3, represents management by the BLM. <br />Alternative 3 also identifies two management options for the BLM. <br /> <br />In alternatives where the boundary of the national monument is modified to include other <br />lands, a determination was made that the added lands would be feasible to administer <br />considering the size, configuration, ownership, cost, outside threats, and other factors that <br />would possibly impact management and administration of the subject land. All evidence <br /> <br />19 <br />