Rocky Mountain National Park I I I I, I Definition
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June 1992 Statement for Management · Rocky Mountain National Park I I I I, I Definition Th~ Statement for Management (SFM) provides an up-to-date inventory· of the park's I cortdition and an analysis of its problems. It does not involve any prescriptive decision on future management and use of the park, but it provides a format for evaluating conditions and identifying major issues and information voids. I I I I I I Recommended by: /s/ James B._Thompson 4/30/92 Superintendent Date I Rocky Mountain National Park I,, I /' 1.-L.,_ ~ I I I I I TABLE OF CONTENTS I LOCATION ..................· .................................... 5 I PRIMARY MANAGEMENT STATEMENT . 5 PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE...................................... ~ I MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES . 6 MAJOR ISSUES . 8 I NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT . 8 Water Impoundments and Diversions ......................... 8 Water Rights Adjudication ................................ 8 I Abandoned Water Rights ................................. 9 Elk Management ........................................ 9 I Air Quality ........................................... 10 Fire Management ...................................... 10 Information Voids ...................................... 10 I Alien Plants .......................................... 10 Sheep Management ..................................... 11 ADJACENT LAND ISSUES ................................... 11 I Aesthetics ............................................ 11 Wildlife Habitat and Migration ............................ 12 Access ............................................... 12 I Fire Management ...................................... 12 Forest Insects ......................................... 12 VISITOR USE ............................................. 13 I Day Use ............................................. 13 Wildlife Observation/Harassment .......................... 13 Rock Climbing ........................................ 13 I Horse Use ............................................ 14 Trails Maintenance ..................................... 14 ADMINISTRATIVE/MANAGEMENT ........................... 14 I Housing ............................................. 14 Organizational Support .................................. 15 Vehicles/Equipment Replacement .......................... 15 I Staffing .............................................. 15 DETERIORATING INFRASTRUCTURE ........................ 15 Water Supply and Sewage Disposal ......................... 15 I Electric Lines ......................................... 16 Telephone ............................................ 16 I Buildings ............................................. 16 I I Roads ............................................... 17 I Concession Facilities .................................... 17 CULTURAL RESOURCES ................................... 17 Historic Resources ..................................... 17 I Archeologic Resources .................................. 18 Museum ............................................. 18 INHOLDINGS ............................................. 18 I HIDDEN VALLEY WINTER USE AREA ........................ 18 LILY LAKE AREA ......................................... 19 I INFLUENCES: INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS ........................ 20 LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS ......... 20 RESOURCES .............................................. 27 I Scenic Resources ....................................... 27 Geological Resources ................................... 27 Biological Resources .................................... 28 I Air Resources ......................................... 30 Water Resources ....................................... 30 Archeological Resources .................................. 30 I Historic Resources ..................................... 30 Scientific/Educational Resources ........................... 31 Recreational Resources .................................. 31 I Day Use ........................................ 31 Backcountry Use .................................. 31 Wildlife Viewing .................................. 31 I Fishing ......................................... 32 Ski Touring and Snowshoeing ........................ 32 Rock Climbing ................................... 32 I Staff Resources ........................................ 33 LAND USES AND TRENDS .................................. 34 I VISITOR USE ANALYSIS .· ................................... 34 Use Patterns .......................................... 35 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT ANALYSIS ..................... 37 I Non-Historic Roads and Trails ............................ 37 Non-Historic Buildings and Facilities ........................ 37 Utility Systems ........................................ 38 I Historic Structures ...................................... 38 Major Equipment Owned or Leased ........................ 38 STATUS OF PLANNING ..................................... 39 I EXISTING MANAGEMENT ZONING .......................... 41 Natural Zone .............· ............................ 41 Outstanding Natural Feature Subzone .................. 41 I Natural Environment Subzone ........................ 42 Research Natural Areas ............................ 42 I 11 I I I Historic Zone ................... ·. 42 Development Zone . 47 I Wilderness . 47 APPENDICES.................................................... 49 I Appendix A- Legislation (51) Appendix B - Organizational Chart (67) I ILLUSTRATIONS Region Map (1) Vicinity Map (2) I Boundary Map (3) Visitation Graphs (36) Existing Management Zoning Map (43) I Wilderness Map ( 45) I I I I I I I I I I I Ill I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I f ---\-,\~;::~-----------------------------·------.----------------~-~--------, · N P. 1 lnternotoono , I \/ · · I PeoceGarden \ {, lewis & Clark N.H.T.\ l " :\ N 0 R • I ·~ Fort Benton ,,,-.. "---- _........... --- ........ ...,...... -------~- ...... l • ..........., "\ ,o ...... ...... ~·~ ' •• ,' ,.__ Trading Post '-, · • 1 \, M 0 1 N.H.S. '\Theodar~-----,Knife River '\ 1 '" --·-lfOMIIaouLA / N A N A ,_Roosevelt "Indian Villages ... ~ I I' /N P. N... H S l I j ,' I ~ .. •' 818MAIICIC • // 0 *"•~INA ....... 0 \ •• Grant·Kohrs ' ~ 0 A K , 1 , ~.. 'I Ranch N.H.S. \1 'I ..,l I ' B .... ' --- I C..,_r\\ O i~-~~le ,,,,.. 81LLINQ8o r-··-··-··-··---··r-,··-··--- ~~ '' Custer I \,\ _____ .... ' ? oBa~~~eld ~ S 0 U\ H I I '') .. , -------tS~~~-------------,: ! \ \.,·__.·-·4 , coov Canyon Devil's , A K ,' 0 A I • N.ltA. Towerc • 0 ,' , N.M • PJIIIIII I . I u~ ' \ I . ~ohn D. Rockefeller Jr. J. c~TY ...... I Grand Teton N.P. ·::·_ Memorial Parkway Mount Rushmore N.~em.c ~Badlands .....\ l / Je-1 Cove N.Mill . N.P. \ ") ,.JAc~<ao• jw;ndCove ' .., ·· i w 0 1 N.P. ~~ I Oregon P1oneer NHT \ : M ~/~--~...... G r-------------------- - ~ 1 ~-~ ' ......... -------' ',, i \ r·----------'i ,,'' F La . NH.".) /Mormon Pioneer NHT. ,• • ',,. Fossil Bu " e ,,, orl ramoe . :,.'tl, -:t ........ .. I I 'i.;__ aGo~.H.rike ,. • ...., N.M ........... \_oregon PIOneer N.HT- .--,.. ... -=o _:: __ ,.. Mormon Pioneer N.HT. 1 \ . -- , .. +-,::_ , Oregon P1oneer NHT. ,I '~-- ...... L Mormon P1oneer N.H T · CHIYINNI • I j __ , :{'a...gT~"'"' ·------T--------------- * .1...·-------~ I T a ~Dinosaur , impartogos N.M. 'I I Cave ~. I N.M. I : I 1 U 1: Colorado I I A H I (~· M. 0 i Arches I \ •llANO 0 0 II I N. P. : • ~UNCTION Florissant I ' 1',. 1Bl Fossil• CCM.08AOO I 0~~40;.iiii;Z80~~120~;iiiiil160 miles • l.)I ock Call)"'!! Beds N.M. • IPIIINU I I Cedar : of the -II!.. -, -Curecanti Bent's Old 1 0 130 198 260km. • Breaks / Gunnoson ~ N.R.A Fori t ' N.M. N.M. PUIILOo N.H.S. I CIQAJI \ NP. • ' I ~---7--- : CITy• . f r I.... • I / lion<4-., f Glen .,"tt;'Yrol : Hovenweep Q ,''s , : N.P. 1.J Can)'O N.M.~ 1/ N.M. Great Sond Dunes N.M. ,,' anta Fe • ··-.. N.R. • ,. ·, p ""'Me " rde , N H T '\ j,,. f- so ----··- : \ v ve N.P. 1,, \. .. , • • --··-··- 1 1 ~, I Pipe Spring Rainbow -r- ·-··--·----------·-·r-·----·r-- I N.M. Bridge Yucca House : .: N.M. N.M. I I Legend ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION I • Locations of Major Cities National Park Service • Locations of State Capitals United States Department of the Interior I r··- L State Boundary Lines I ~ National Park Service Areas ON MICROFILM ----- Na'ti~~J~ Service Historical Trails I 1 9&S 180,000· 0 I Colorado ---------- I I I I I Rocky Mountain I National Park I ·. I I I N 6 I 0 10 20 miles I I I Vicinity Rocky Mountain National Park I United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service 121 80,102 June '88 RMRO I I ON MICROFILM 2 I I R711W R75W R74W R73W R72W T 7 T I N 7 N I I T T 8 8 I N N I I T 5 I N I T I T 4 4 N N I I T 3 T N 3 I N I I T T 2 2 N N N I 6 --- park boundary 0 5 miles I ----road I Boundary Map Rocky Mountain National Park 12 1 80,048-C U.S. Dept. of the Interior - Nat'l. Park Service 9/84 RMRO I 3 ON MICROFILM I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I . F" .. ~ ~JI, 1ltl0 a·,," .. ~ dV, ~" W. I I I Location I LOCATION I Rocky Mountain National Park, is in the state of Colorado, within Larimer, Grand and Boulder counties, and is within the Second, Third and Fourth Congressional Districts. The I Vicinity map depicts the park's location and configuration. I PRIMARY MANAGEMENT STATEMENT The law that established Rocky Mountain National Park on January 26, 1915 (38 Stat. 798), I best describes the park's primary mission. It says that certain lands are"... hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or disposal under the laws of the United States, and said area is dedicated and set apart as a public park for the