News Release

NPS seeks public input on grazing at Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curecanti

Date: August 19, 2024

MONTROSE, Colo. – The National Park Service (NPS) invites public input in the development of a Grazing Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, under the National Environmental Policy Act.     

Currently, park managers administer grazing through a combination of NPS-issued Special Use Permits and interagency agreements with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS). The purpose of this effort is to provide approaches, consistent with a court order, for continuing grazing that consider the NPS’ management directives for livestock grazing within the two parks.     

NPS is inviting public comment on two preliminary alternatives. Under the No-Action Alternative, the NPS continues management of grazing under the current terms and conditions established by the NPS/BLM/USFS and NPS would administer permits. Under the Grazing Tools and Strategies Alternative, NPS continues management of grazing and considers what modifications may be appropriate to maintain or enhance park resources, including for native species.       

The NPS is initiating a public scoping period from August 19 to September 20, 2024. Comments can be made at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLCACUREGRAZING or sent to Superintendent, Curecanti NRA, 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230. The NPS will also host a virtual public meeting on August 27 and in-person public meetings on August 28 and 29. We invite you to participate in the planning process by providing comments.    

Virtual Public MeetingThe NPS will hold the August 27 scoping meeting via the Zoom online platform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time. During the virtual scoping meeting, attendees can join by computer or phone to learn about the Grazing Management Plan. Information about joining the meeting can be found on the project Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLCACUREGRAZING.     
Please register prior to the meeting at:https://empsi.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3KJ1KHkeTMijQilSvpRTYg#/registration    

In-Person Meetings    The NPS will hold in-person meetings on August 28 and 29, at the venues and times below.   
Gunnison, Colorado – August 28, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time at the Fred Field Center, 298 S. Spruce St., Gunnison, Colo. 81230.  
Montrose, Colorado – August 29, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time at the Montrose Police Department, 434 S. 1st St., Montrose, Colo. 81401.    

Learn more about Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park by visiting the park website at www.nps.gov/blca and learn more about Curecanti National Recreation Area at www.nps.gov/cure.  

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve natural resources, local history, and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.