Curecanti National Recreation Area is one of the two park units on which the NPS is seeking public comment regarding their Grazing Management Plan and EA / NPS-Victoria Stauffenberg photo

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input regarding development of a Grazing Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, under the National Environmental Policy Act.     

Currently, park managers administer grazing through a combination of NPS-issued Special Use Permits and interagency agreements with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS). The purpose of this effort is to provide approaches, consistent with a court order, for continuing grazing that consider the NPS’ management directives for livestock grazing within the two parks.     

There are two preliminary alternatives:

No-Action Alternative - The NPS continues management of grazing under the current terms and conditions established by the NPS/BLM/USFS and NPS would be responsible for administering permits.

Grazing Tools and Strategies Alternative - The NPS continues management of grazing and considers what modifications may be appropriate to maintain or enhance park resources, including for native species.       

There will be a public scoping period August 19 to September 20, 2024, during which time comments can be made at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLCACUREGRAZING or sent to Superintendent, Curecanti NRA, 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230. The NPS will also host a virtual public meeting on August 27 and in-person public meetings on August 28 and 29. The public is invited to participate in the planning process by providing comments.    

Virtual Public Meeting

The NPS will hold the August 27 scoping meeting via the Zoom online platform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time. During the virtual scoping meeting, attendees can join by computer or phone to learn about the Grazing Management Plan. Information about joining the meeting can be found on the project Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLCACUREGRAZING.     
Please register prior to the meeting at:https://empsi.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3KJ1KHkeTMijQilSvpRTYg#/registration    

In-Person Meetings

The NPS will hold in-person meetings August 28 and 29, at the venues and times below:
  
Gunnison, Colorado – August 28, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time at the Fred Field Center, 298 S. Spruce St., Gunnison, Colo. 81230. 
 
Montrose, Colorado – August 29, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time at the Montrose Police Department, 434 S. 1st St., Montrose, Colo. 81401.