News Release

NPS seeks public input on grazing management at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreational Area

Date: May 22, 2025

MONTROSE, Colo. – The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input on the Grazing Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (GrMP/EA) for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).     

Currently, park managers administer grazing through a combination of NPS-issued Special Use Permits (SUPs) and interagency agreements with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS). Once the Grazing Management Plan is complete, the NPS will issue livestock grazing and trailing SUPs to permittees, with specific terms and conditions that emphasize protection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources in accordance with NPS policies and regulations.   

The NPS will be initiating a 30-day public comment period on the EA from May 28 to June 27, 2025. For additional information or to submit comments on the EA, please visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLCACUREGRAZING. Once you are on the website, just click “Open for Comment” on the left side of the page and click on the link to the EA and then click the “Comment on Document” button to enter and submit comments. Comments can also be mailed to: Superintendent, Curecanti NRA, 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230.

The NPS will also accept hand-written comments at the in-person public meetings described below.The NPS will host in-person and virtual public meetings to provide information on the Grazing Management Plan/EA.     

In-Person Meetings    The NPS will hold in-person meetings on June 3^rd and 4^th, at the venues and times below.   

Montrose, Colorado – June 3^rd, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time at the Montrose Police Department Community Meeting Room, 434 S. 1st St., Montrose, Colo. 81401.  

Gunnison, Colorado – June 4^th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time at the Fred Field Center, 298 S. Spruce St., Gunnison, Colo. 81230.  

Virtual Public Meeting: The NPS will hold the June 5^th public 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 and EA. 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_NIqUKC-RRAmHJK3zJAr6rg#/registration .  

Public comments must be received by June 27, 2025.

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About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 433 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.