Beginning in the late 1950’s, the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) began a process to withdraw public land and acquire private land along the Gunnison River needed for the Aspinall Unit (consisting of three dams, powerplants and reservoirs). Congress authorized the Unit as a component of the Colorado River Storage Project. The lands BOR acquired were generally the minimum lands needed for the dams and reservoirs, without full consideration of what would be optimal for a National Recreation Area (NRA) managed by the National Park Service (NPS).

The current NRA consists of lands within an administrative boundary that is managed cooperatively by BOR and NPS. In 1999 Congress directed NPS to conduct a study to assess area resources within and surrounding the NRA, and to identify and recommend a variety of practicable alternatives and tools to protect those resource values and the character of the land. Congress would like this information prior to considering legislation that would formally establish the NRA.

The focus of the study has been to identify the resources and lands needed for protection, and to explore alternative tools to achieve this protection. Such tools would emphasize the current philosophy of the Department of Interior, employing Communication, Consultation, and Cooperation—all in the service of Conservation.

What progress has been made to date?
Scoping, interagency and public meetings have been held, data has been collected, mapped, and analyzed, and alternatives have been developed and refined. Three newsletters were published to explain the project background, the alternatives, and to seek input. A Draft Resource Protection Study/Environmental Impact Statement (RPS/EIS) was prepared, and a series of public meetings were held from July 21 - 25, 2007, to share information and answer questions about document. Comments on the draft document were accepted from July 13 through October 22, 2007.

What lies ahead for the study?
After comments on the Draft RPS/EIS are reviewed and analyzed, a Final RPS/EIS will be written and released for a 30-day public review period. Then the study, a Record of Decision, and a Report to Congress will be finalized and sent through the Department of the Interior to Congress. Congress will make the final determination of what action to take, if any.

How can I participate in or find out more about the study?

• Continue to visit this webpage for updates.
• For additional information, please contact one of the team members listed below:
  
  NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
  Curecanti National Recreation Area
  Connie Rudd, Superintendent (970) 641-2337 ext. 220
  Dave Roberts, Management Assistant (970) 240-5432
  
  Office of Planning and Environmental Quality
  Jeff Heywood, Team Captain (303) 969-2835
  
  ADDITIONAL LINKS
• Toolbox of Incentives for Resource Conservation (433k pdf)
  A handbook of ideas for neighbors in the Curecanti area of Colorado, that can be applied to other areas throughout the country to encourage private landowners, local communities, and city, county, state, and federal agencies to work in partnership to manage their lands for more effective resource conservation.
• Curecanti: Great Scenery, Outstanding Resources and Good Neighbors (263k pdf) - Ideas about how agencies and landowners can work together to maintain the outstanding qualities that are commonly valued; created specifically for the Resource Protection Study at Curecanti National Recreation Area, the ideas may be applicable throughout the country.