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Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site » Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment » Document List

The National Park Service (NPS) is starting the process to update the Fire Management Plan (FMP) for Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site (SAND). Before this update occurs, the NPS is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA). This EA is part of the process to update management strategies, manage vegetative fuels, and update terminology.

SAND is proposing a new FMP to provide a management framework for wildland fire activities, both planned and unplanned, that would best meet overall park management goals; and to address changes in the vegetation resulting from land use since the historic periods, fire suppression, and drought events, and to address updates in the national fire policy terminology.

SAND encompasses the site of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 where more than 200 Cheyenne and Arapaho were killed in the attack by U.S. Army Volunteer Cavalry. The site of the Sand Creek Massacre is of great significance to descendants of the massacre victims and their respective tribes and commemoration of ancestors at the site. During these historic periods, the vegetation of the area was more open as a result of intense human activities; wood gathering by Cheyenne and Arapaho had removed most trees near the site. As human use of the land changed after 1864, dead and down woody debris, sand sage, and exotic species increased, due to the suppression of wildfires and increased domestic livestock grazing practices. The increased vegetation has developed fuel loading that will trend toward more intense wildfires that could threaten visitors, staff and firefighters, cultural sites, park structures, and neighboring lands. The NPS recognized the need to manage the vegetation at SAND. A new FMP will assist the NPS in meeting SAND management goals.

SAND proposes to continue to suppress all wildfires and continue vegetation management activities. The new FMP is considering additional pro-active vegetation measures to better protect cultural resources, facilities and infrastructure and natural resources. A new FMP will also address updates in national fire policy and terminology. The Categorical Exclusion that was used in support of the 2006 FMP is no longer available for use. This EA process is essential to completing a new FMP.

The NPS is preparing this EA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act to provide the decision-making framework that 1) explores management alternatives to meet SAND objectives, 2) evaluates potential impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to minimize the degree of these impacts.

There are two formal opportunities for the public to comment: during this initial project scoping, and again following the release of the EA document. You are invited to participate in this process by voicing your ideas, suggestions, comments, or concerns related to SAND fire management activities. These comments will be considered during preparation of the EA and FMP.

Contact Information

Superintendent
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
P.O. Box 249
Eads, CO 81036-0249