Final environmental impact statement, general management plan/development concept plan for Natural Bridges National Monument

192 Pages·1997·10 MB·English

by  United States. National Park Service. Rocky Mountain System Support Office. Planning Group

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

Reserve
aF832
.N3D562
1997
Natural Bridges
National Monument
UTAH
Final Environmental Impact Statement
General Management Plan
Development Concept Plan
I
February 1997
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN / DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN
for
NATURAL BRIDGES NATIONAL MONUMENT
Prepared by
NATURAL BRIDGES NATIONAL MONUMENT
Box 1
Lake Powell, Utah 84533-0101
801-692-1234
with assistance from
Planning Group, Rocky Mountain Support Office
Intermountain Field Area
National Park Service
12795 West Alameda Parkway
P.O. Box 25287
Denver, Colorado 80225-0287
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
ns nen mmmuirms
NATIONAL LIBRARY
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i
| ' CATALOGING PREP

CONTENTS
Preface...1
Summary...3
Purpose Of And Need For The Plan...5
Description of the Park...5
Park Purpose, Significance, and Management Objectives...5
Legislative and Administrative Constraints...8
Issues and Concerns...9
The Alternatives... 19
Introduction... 19
Alternative A: No-Action. ..19
AlternativeB: The Proposal...22
Alternatives Considered But Rejected...42
Summary of Alternatives and Impacts...44
The Affected Environment...46
Environmental Consequences...57
Socioeconomic Impacts...62
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of the Proposal...63
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources Related to the
Proposal...63
Cumulative Effects Due to the Proposal...64
Consultation And Coordination...65
Summary of Public Involvement...65
List of Agencies, Organizations, and Persons to Whom Copies of the Statement
Were Sent...66
Preparers...69
Planning Team...69
Contributors...72
Institutional Consultants...73
Bibliography...75
Appendixes. ..77
Appendix A: Public and Other Agency Comment and Response.. .77
Appendix B: Park Legislation...121
Appendix C: Plan for Interpretation, Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah... 132
Appendix D: Wilderness Suitability Study... 152
Appendix E: Wild and Scenic River Evaluation of Eligibility, Classification, and
Suitability... 156
Appendix F: Facility Design Guideline... 164
Appendix G: Rationale for Rejection of Major Boundary Change... 167
Maps
Vicinity.. .i
Area.. .iii
Existing Conditions... 16
Headquarters Area Existing Conditions... 17
Visitor Experience/Management Zones...31
Headquarters Area Proposal...35
Proposal...36
Vegetation...48
Wilderness Suitability... 155
Wild and Scenic River Eligibility... 163
Frequency-Viewshed Analysis... 175
BLM Visual Resource Management Zones... 177
Tables
1: Existing Staffing Level...21
2: Proposal Estimate...41
3: Summary of Alternatives and Impacts...44
4: Population of Utah, San Juan County and Selected Political Units...55
5: Comparative Visitation for Selected Parks in the Region...57
Graphs
Annual Park Visitation, 1984-1993...54
1994 Monthly Park Visitation...54
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Vicinity Map
Natural Bridges National Monument
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service
115 I 80,004-B
Jan 95 1 RMRO