www.nps.gov/grca/colorado/
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| Colorado River Management Plan
www.nps.gov/grca/colorado/ |
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The Newsletter of the Colorado River Management Planning Process
December 1998
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sound•ing n.
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Sounding Board
Revised Timeline
Experimental Increase in Use for the Secondary Season
CRMP Workgroup Update
Wilderness Management Plan Update
Personal Watercraft Use Prohibited in Grand Canyon
| Q. | What is the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum? | |
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A. | In the broadest sense, the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) is a conceptual framework designed to provide diversity in recreation opportunities for different settings. Many Federal agencies manage ROS through physical zoning or on a seasonal basis. In the backcountry areas of Grand Canyon National Park, use is distributed by defined zones or "use areas." Each of the 80 use areas are within an "Opportunity Class" defined at Grand Canyon as Corridor, Threshold, Primitive, or Wild. Specific environmental, social, and managerial standards are described for each Opportunity Class. For example, a hiker in a Threshold Use Area would camp in designated sites and see other hikers, compared to a hiker in a Wild Use Area who would select a remote, primitive campsite, and may not see anyone for the trip's duration.
The Colorado River through Grand Canyon is managed based on a Temporal (i.e., seasonal) ROS. Currently, the CRMP describes management objectives for two use periods: the Primary and Secondary Use Seasons. The Primary Season (May 1 through September 30) includes the High-Use Period (June, July, and August), and a Shoulder Season (May and September). The Primary Use Season is managed for medium to high levels of use, with medium levels occurring in the Shoulder months. The Secondary Use Season (October through April) is managed for medium to low levels of use, with the medium levels occurring in the margins of that season (i.e., October and April). Management objectives for natural and cultural resource protection do not vary by season. Management objectives for visitor experience, i.e., encounter levels and opportunities for solitude differ seasonally, and are based in part on the temporal distribution of use. As described in the current ROS for the Colorado River, those seeking a "wilderness" river trip experience may choose to travel in the shoulder or winter months. Those seeking more of a "social" experience may choose to travel during the high-density summer months. |
| Q. | How is the ROS Being Addressed in the CRMP Process? | |
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A. | The current volume of use and seasonal distribution of use were issues identified by the public and NPS managers. The current user-day allocation system restricts the amount of use for each use period. For the most part, many believe that the current use for the Primary Season is at capacity or within acceptable limits. On the other hand, public comment indicated support for NPS managers to consider an increase in use during the Secondary Season (October through April).
As described in a related article in this issue, the NPS is undertaking a special test period this winter to look at the effects of increased use in the Secondary Season. The ROS will be central to further discussions related to group size, trip length, and the allocation and seasonal distribution of use. |
The timeline for the Colorado River Management Plan is being updated. The following elements of the planning process remain. The new schedule will be published in the next issue of Soundings.
Laurie Domler
Newest Member of the CRMP Team
A native of Tucson, Laurie brings nearly ten years of experience gained as a Pima County Planner, and as an NPS Planner with the Denver Service Center, in Denver, Colorado. As the Team's Public Involvement Liaison, her primary role is to manage the public involvement and education strategy for the CRMP process. Laurie will manage the workgroup and public review process, and will also be a primary contact for organizations and special interest groups. Her office is located in Flagstaff.
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Soundings is published by Grand Canyon National Park. To get on or off the Soundings mailing list or for information on the Colorado River Management Plan process please contact: Grand Canyon National Park, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86029. |
