Canyonlands National Park seeks public input on river management plan for the Green and Colorado rivers

Canyonlands National Park is beginning planning for a comprehensive river management plan for the Green and Colorado rivers. The park is asking for initial input to help shape a plan that will address public and commercial use and resource protection on the rivers.

The comprehensive river management plan will identify management strategies and solutions to address changing visitation patterns and increasing demand for commercial services, impacts on cultural and natural resources, and the implications of climate-induced drought on both visitor use and resource management.

"People who recreate on these rivers know how special they are," said Acting Superintendent Lena Pace. "We encourage everyone to participate in this important process."

By incorporating input from civic engagement, the new plan will better develop and evaluate proactive strategies to meet the National Park Service mission while creating equitable access for visitors to experience the beauty and tranquility of the Green and Colorado rivers.

A StoryMap describes the desired conditions of the project, the issues the plan will address, and project goals, and is available for viewing and commenting at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/15cec19a68d247ba9c56dd9f6f7434c4 A link to the comment form is also provided at the end of the StoryMap. To comment, click the "Comment Now" button. The comment period is open through March 28, 2024.

Section 5(d)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA) states that, "[i]n all planning for the use and development of water and related land resources, consideration shall be given by all federal agencies involved to potential national wild, scenic and recreational river areas..." Federal agencies such as the National Park Service (NPS) consider the potential for rivers to be designated by evaluating a river's eligibility, tentative classification, and suitability for designation under the WSRA. Please share your thoughts and opinions about the river's free-flowing character, water quality, and ORVs. Should these be protected?

Key Questions to consider when commenting:
1) What experiences at Canyonlands National Park on the Green and Colorado rivers are important to you? What kinds of experiences do you want future river visitors to have when they visit?
2) What barriers get in the way of you enjoying or visiting the Green and Colorado rivers in Canyonlands National Park? What barriers prevent you from achieving your desired experiences?
3) What strategies do you recommend the planning team consider to address barriers and/or key issues and opportunities?
4) The Green River and Lower Colorado are zoned Primitive while the Upper Colorado is Semi-primitive to Spanish Bottom. Desired conditions would help to achieve and maintain those resource conditions and visitor experiences. Do you think current conditions match desired conditions? If not, what new management actions and strategies would be needed to preserve these desired conditions?
5) Other thoughts you'd like to share with the project team?

Topic Questions:

1. What experiences at Canyonlands National Park on the Green and Colorado rivers are important to you? What kinds of experiences do you want future river visitors to have when they visit?

2. What barriers get in the way of you enjoying or visiting the Green and Colorado rivers in Canyonlands National Park? What barriers prevent you from achieving your desired experiences?

3. What strategies do you recommend the planning team consider to address barriers and/or key issues and opportunities?

4. The Green River and Lower Colorado are zoned Primitive while the Upper Colorado is Semi-primitive to Spanish Bottom. Desired conditions would help to achieve and maintain those resource conditions and visitor experiences. Do you think current conditions match desired conditions? If not, what new management actions and strategies would be needed to preserve these desired conditions?

5. What other thoughts would you like to share with the project team?

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