WSP02964

• File Number: 7630.300
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Gunnison River
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 9/1/1979
• Author: NPS
• Title: United States Department of the Interior-Wild and Scenic River Study-Gunnison River Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Below the monument, the river segment is managed by the Bureau
of Land Management within an area established as the Gunnison
Gorge Recreation Lands by Public Land Order No. 5261 on October
1, 1972. Since this designation was initiated by the Seceretary of
the Interior, it lacks the statutory protection afforded the
monument segment. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act
of 1976 (P. L. 94-479), however, requires that areas of outdoor
recreation and scenic values, such as exist along the river in the
Gunnison Gorge Recreation Lands, be identified and inventoried,
and that priority in this endeavor be given ". . . to the
designation and protection of areas of critical environmental
concern,lI

Other Considerations

The American peregrine falcon and bald eagle, which are on the
Federal list of endangered species, and the river otter, which is on
the Colorado state list, inhabit the study area. Peregrine falcons
were last seen in the area in 1974, but both the monument and
gorge contain excellent falcon habitat. Numerous bald eagles winter
in the region. River otters have been sighted in 1974 and 1975,
and this endemic population is being increased by an ongoing
Colorado Division of Wildlife reintroduction program.

There are several species of endangered, threatened, or sensitive

plants located in the regional area. Thei r presence within the river

corridor, however, has not been verified by any systematic

inventory.

Although there are many historic and archeologic sites in the study
area, none is listed on the National Register of Historic Places at
present. There are no National Historic, Natural, or Environmental
Education Landmarks in the area under study.

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