Project Links
Grazing Management Plan 2024/2025
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park » Grazing Management Plan 2024/2025 » Document List
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (BLCA) and Curecanti National Recreation Area (CURE) have completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a Grazing Management Plan within the park units to address litigation in Center for Biological Diversity, et al. v. DOI, et al., 1:20-cv-03580 (D. Colo). The Grazing Management Plan/EA has been developed to not only comply with declarations made in court, but also to ensure all associated activities, such as trailing, infrastructure development, and OHV use comply with NPS and other laws, federal regulations, policies, and interagency agreements. In developing a grazing management plan, the NPS will fulfill its commitment to preserve and protect natural, cultural, and recreational resources as stated in the purposes of the park units and as directed by the NPS Organic Act (54 United States Code 100101). The Grazing Management Plan is needed to meet NPS's obligation to manage authorized grazing operations in coordination with the BLM and USFS; to issue and manage grazing SUPs in accordance with 36 CFR § 2.60 - Livestock use and agriculture; to provide and enhance ecosystem resilience in the face of droughts, soil aridification, ecological degradation, and altered fire regimes; to address conservation measures for Gunnison sage-grouse (GUSG) consistent with the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and to manage livestock grazing to protect wilderness character qualities in BLCA in accordance with the 2023 BLCA-CURE Wilderness and Backcountry Management Plan.
Livestock grazing was permitted in BLCA at its establishment in 1933 as a National Monument. The 1999 Act establishing BLCA as a National Park (rather than a National Monument) provided for continued livestock grazing, where authorized under existing permits or leases as of October 21, 1999. Grazing within CURE was permitted prior to the transfer of management from the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to the NPS on February 11th, 1965 (as one of the terms of a USBR/NPS Memorandum of Agreement between the USBR and NPS). In the past, the BLM or the USFS permitted and managed grazing on NPS-administered lands in both park units. The NPS is currently managing grazing in BLCA through Special Use Permits (SUPs). The BLM and the USFS will continue to administer the majority of grazing on NPS-managed lands in CURE until this BLCA/CURE NPS Grazing Management Plan/EA is complete. After this plan is complete, the NPS will issue livestock grazing and trailing SUPs to permittees, with specific terms and conditions that emphasize protection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources in accordance with NPS policies and regulations.
Livestock grazing was permitted in BLCA at its establishment in 1933 as a National Monument. The 1999 Act establishing BLCA as a National Park (rather than a National Monument) provided for continued livestock grazing, where authorized under existing permits or leases as of October 21, 1999. Grazing within CURE was permitted prior to the transfer of management from the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to the NPS on February 11th, 1965 (as one of the terms of a USBR/NPS Memorandum of Agreement between the USBR and NPS). In the past, the BLM or the USFS permitted and managed grazing on NPS-administered lands in both park units. The NPS is currently managing grazing in BLCA through Special Use Permits (SUPs). The BLM and the USFS will continue to administer the majority of grazing on NPS-managed lands in CURE until this BLCA/CURE NPS Grazing Management Plan/EA is complete. After this plan is complete, the NPS will issue livestock grazing and trailing SUPs to permittees, with specific terms and conditions that emphasize protection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources in accordance with NPS policies and regulations.