,.,.., --:IL r •: \. .., I CANYONLANDS general management plan / may 1978 , E RETURN TO: TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTER ~ER SERVICE CENTER ,Nf\TIQtW. PARK SERVICE CANYON LANDS NATIONAL PARK• UTAH • UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR• NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Arches National Park to introduce visitors to A rches and Canyonlands. The Arches and Canyonlands stories will be presented in a way that preserves the individual identity of each park while encouraging visitors to experience t he ir complementary environments. An audiovisual program and exhibi ts will orient visi t ors to the different geographic areas of the region and explain their geologic origins. They will also illustrate the recreational and educational opportunities available at the two national parks, Dead Horse Point and Newspaper Rock State Parks, and other areas witin the region . Dead Horse Point State Park and Island in the Sky District The National Park Service, the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, and the Bureau of Land Manage ment will develop an unmanned information/orientation kiosk near the intersection of U .S. Hig hway 163 and the Seven Mile Canyon road. Information provided here will help visitors decide whether to proceed to Dead Horse Point State Pa rk and Island in the Sky or to drive first to the Arches/Canyonlands visitor facility. The mesa tops of Dead Horse Poi nt and Island in the Sky provide an unparal leled opportunity to complete a visitor experience begun at nearby Arches National Park. Visitors who have stopped at the Arches/Canyonlands visitor facility INTRODUCTION w ill have received an orientation to the entire region, includ ing an overview of its geologic history. On the mesa tops there will be opportunities for two additional Canyonlands National Park was established in 1964 to experiences: structured interpretive and viewing activities at preserve outstanding scenic, scientific, and archaeological Dead Horse Point State Park, and re latively unstructured resources for public enjoyment. Its canyons, arches, fins, viewing, h iking, and on-site interpretation at Island in the buttes, towers, and other landforms are a collection of Sky. erosional features as diverse as can be found anywhere on the Colorado Plateau; impressive rock art and other remnants of The view of the Colorado River from Dead Horse Point is ancient habitation found within its borders are p ri celess and superlative, making this an ideal spot to interpret the geologic irreplaceable cultural resources. Viewing t he park's origin and human history of the river canyons. The National spectacular landscapes and examining its archaeological Park Service w i ll work cooperatively with the U tah Division treasures are important elements of the visitor experience. as of Par ks and Recreation to improve interpretive services at are four-wheel driving (the traditional form of access to this the Dead Horse Point visitor center by rehabilitating the rugged area), hiking, and floating the Green and Colorado exhibits and adding an audiovisual program. Two themes will Rivers. be emphasized: the story of canyonlands formation, which will be developed with strong visual references to the river, Virtually unknown by Americans before the 1960s, and the story of how man explored and used this land. Canyonlands now is attracting so many visitors that current demands for use must be managed through p la nning to A nother objective of joint planning w ill be the upgrading of ensure protection of resources. This general management plan the main access road from its steep grade in Seven M i le was prepared with two goals in mind - that t he park serve Canyon to the park boundary. The existing access routes to both as a major scenic attraction and as a model for Dead Horse Point State Park and Island in the Sky will be preservation of a unique natural environment. retained. The Knoll intersection will be redesigned to increase sigh t d istance and improve traffic safety. A parki ng area will The major concepts of the plan and the rationale for their be developed near the Knoll, and a trail will be provided to a selection are presented in this document. The supporting viewing area on top. This will be p lanned in cooperation with information and detai ls of the concepts as well as their the Bureau of Land Management. alternatives are contained in a separate document, the Assessment of Alternatives. Environmental impact s The road w ill be paved from the Knoll to Grand View Point, associated with the proposed actions will not be significant; Murphy Point, and Upheaval Dome. All paving will be done the proposals suggest only m inor alterations to existing with environmentally compatible materials that ble nd into development and operations w ith an overall goal of the landscape. The present road alignment within t he improving visitor use and preserving the park's resources. na tional park will be retained as nearly as possible, but the There will be no significant environmental effects or any road will be realigned where necessary to protect t he cumulative or secondary effects. The selected actions commit environment, meet safety standards, and achieve high visual the National Park Service to expenditures totaling an interest. A t the present time. it appears that these estimated $18,665,850 over the next 15 years, and considerations may dictate some realignment at t he north assessments on design alternatives will be prepared for and south ends of Grays Pasture. If the existing roadway is individual components of the p lan. Based on the above the realigned , the old roadbed wi ll be recontoured and Regional Director, Rocky Mountain Region, has approved revegetated to its natural appearance. the general management plan and · determined that an environmental statement will not be prepared. Mesa-top parki ng areas will be relocated to protect prime resources. Adjacent overlooks will be designed to contain the impacts of increasing visitation and to be easily accessible to all visitors. Self-contained w aterless comfort facilities will be 2 - SUMMARY AND RATIONALE constructed at t he major visitor attractions. Trails will encourage visitors to experience the resource leisurely and in VISITOR USE AND DEVELOPMENT depth. Arches/Canyonlands Visitor Facility The spur road leading west to Upheaval Dome will continue An enlarged and redesigned visitor facility will be provided at to serve visitors who are oriented to hi king. The existing primitive ca mpground near Green River Overlook will remain Green and Colorado Rivers to support the backcountry experience in this area of the V isitor use of the rivers and river bottoms is distinctly Island. different from other activities in t he park and poses a unique challenge to management. River management, therefore, is The National Park Service will establish permanent but being considered in a se parate planning process. A revision of minimal maintenance and residential facilities south of the the river management plan will be initiated in 1978. park boundary near the Shafer T rail intersection. This site is not visible from the park road . A visitor contact station RESOURCE MANAGEMENT designed to be compatible with the landscape will also be built in this general area, where it will be convenient to the The resource managemen t recommendations are general public. It will serve as a protection checkpoint for the Island concepts. In order to manage park resources effectively, and as a place to issue backcountry permits. The existing additional research is necessary to formulate specific resource administrative site near the Neck will be converted to a picnic management plans (e.g., fire management, pronghorn area to support day-use activities in t he Island. reintroduction, exotic plant management, and backcountry use). Needles District To improve visi tor information and orientation services in Parklands w ill be managed for the perpetuation of the natural this district, a manned interpretive/information facili ty will environment, except for development areas. Mining is not be provided at Monticello and an unmanned kiosk will be allowed except on existing valid claims, grazing is being located at the intersection of U.S. 163 and the park entrance phased out, and other consumptive uses may be prohibited. road . In addition, a permanent visitor contact station will be Bighorn sheep Iambi ng areas may be closed prior to and constructed in the park where the presen t information trailer during lambing season. All rare, threatened, and endangered is situated; this site is convenient to public use and is in species will be identified and protected. Manipulation of terrain that mitigates visual intrusion . terrain and vegetation will restore land altered by human activity (e.g., mine spoils, closed roads, and off-road vehicle Permanent maintenance and resi dential facilities will be tracks). hidden from view in a basin about 1 m ile northeast of the present temporary complex at Squaw Butte. Th is site is Cu ltural resources will be p reserved, as prescribed by research closer to proven water than the present location, and its use and professional recommendation. Stabilization of selected will free Squaw Butte for use as a visitor orientation and tour ruins will continue. An inventory of cultural resources w i ll be staging area . completed, and qualified sites will be nominated to the List of Classified Structures and/or the National Register of The existing road to the Colorado River Overlook will be Historic Places. paved to provide access to a panoram ic overlook of the 1,200-foot-deep Colorado River Gorge. This rout e also will Park developments will be managed for intensive use but will provide access to other viewing areas such as the Lower Jump be designed to have minimal impacts on the environment. where Salt Creek plunges nearly 200 fee t.