This session will describe the Wild and Scenic River planning framework used for the development of the Comprehensive River Management Plan for the Virgin River at Zion National Park and adjacent BLM Wilderness. NPS has developed a process that includes defining outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs), establishing goals and objectives for protecting river values, conducting boundary delineation, addressing development of lands and facilities, addressing visitor use management and capacity, evaluating water resource projects and instream flows, and establishing a monitoring strategy. This planning effort included river segments with very diverse visitation and management objectives – from highly developed frontcountry recreational segments to wild segments in designated Wilderness. This presentation will share outcomes of the planning process as well as lessons learned and on-going monitoring and planning efforts. Key Learning Objectives: 1) Understanding the planning framework for Wild and Scenic Rivers 2) Best practices for planning and managing use on Wild and Scenic Rivers 3) Strategies for managing a variety of river segments from frontcountry to Wilderness

1. RMS
April 2014
Tracy Atkins and Kezia Nielsen
National Park Service
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2. Omnibus Public Land Management Act of
2009 (Public Law 111-11)
 Represents the first WSR
designation in the state of Utah.
 Adds 163 miles of rivers and
streams of the Virgin River to the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System.
 The National Park Service
administers about 144 miles of
designated river segments in
Zion National Park; 19 miles are
administered by the Bureau of
Land Management.
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3. Joint Comprehensive Management Planning
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management
Major River Segments
1- Taylor Creek
2- La Verkin Creek
3- North Creek
4- N. Fork Virgin River above Temple
5- N. Fork Virgin River below Temple
6- E. Fork Virgin River
Overview
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4. Joint Comprehensive Management Planning
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management
Major River Segments
1- Taylor Creek
2- La Verkin Creek
3- North Creek
4- N. Fork Virgin River above Temple
5- N. Fork Virgin River below Temple
6- E. Fork Virgin River
Overview
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5. Scope of the Plan
Purpose of the Comprehensive Management Plan
To protect and enhance the
outstandingly remarkable
values, free-flowing
condition, and water
quality for the designated
wild and scenic river,
leaving it unimpaired for
future generations.
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6. 6
Public Input
 ORVs
 Plan
Planning Process
Workshops
 ORV
 Alternatives
 User capacity
 Preferred
alternative
Development
and Writing
 ORVs
 Alternatives
 User capacity
 Section 7
process
 Management
actions and
mitigation
 Impacts

7. Planning Timeline
Milestones Date
Outstandingly Remarkable Values Workshop May 2010
Public Scoping October 2010
Alternatives and User Capacity Workshops February - June 2011
Alternatives Development and Plan Development June 2011- January 2012
Internal and Interagency Reviews April - December 2012
Region and WASO Policy Review April 2013
Permission to Print June 2013
Public Scoping August 2013
FONSI Signed (NPS) January 2014
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8. Key Components of a Comprehensive
Management Plan
 Define Outstandingly Remarkable Values,
Free-Flowing Condition, and Water
Quality
 Boundary Delineation
 Goals and Objectives for Protecting and
Enhancing River Values
 Development of Lands and Facilities
 User Capacity
 Evaluation of Water Resource Projects
 Instream Flows
 Monitoring Strategy
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9. Goals
 Protect and enhance free-flow conditions,
outstandingly remarkable values, and water
quality
 Protect and enhance river-related natural
resources and ecological processes
 Protect and enhance river-related cultural
resources and values
 Provide for appropriate visitor use and access
to experience, learn about, and have a direct
connection with the rivers
 Balance appropriate visitor use opportunities
with protection and enhancement of river
values
 Establish appropriate land uses and associated
developments, consistent with each river
segment’s classification
Scope of the Plan
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10. 2-Tiered Planning Approach
• Broad – Based and Segment Specific
• All NPS and BLM managed river segments
• Approximately 35,000 acres
• 163 river miles
41 River Segments
• 33 segments classified as ‘wild’
• 4 segments classified as ‘scenic’
• 4 segments classified as ‘recreational’
Alternative
Management
Strategies
Broad-based
Segment-
Specific
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11. Outstandingly Remarkable Values of the
Virgin River
• Scenic
• Ecological Processes
• Wildlife
• Fish
• Geological
• Cultural
• Recreational
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12. Public Scoping
Planning Issues
 Kinds and Amounts of Recreational Use
Hiking, canyoneering and other uses valued
Some interest in expanding kayaking
Concern about crowding
 Types and Levels of Development
Support for minimizing extractive uses and
keeping the river free of impoundments and
diversions
 Water Quality
Support for protecting and enhancing water
quality
 Ecological Processes
Support for protection of native species,
removal of invasive species and protection and
restoration of critical habitat
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13. The Alternatives
 Alternative A: Continuation of Current Management (No-
Action)
 Common to All Action Alternatives
 Alternative B: Resource Protection
 Alternative C: Resource Protection and Visitor Experience
(Preferred)
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14. Alternatives Considered but Dismissed
Additional Boating Opportunities
NPS maintains that flow rate limits on Virgin River should remain in place.
Adjustments can be made through the Superintendent’s Compendium if justified
in the future.
Elimination of All Instream and Riverbank Structures
Not seen as feasible at this time since gabions and levees protect the road and
park facilities. Some diversions are needed to supply water for the park and Town
of Springdale.
Implementation of a Reservation System for Zion Canyon
Given the complexity of a reservation system and its interaction with the shuttle
system, and the potential impacts on visitor experience, it was determined that if
a reservation system is needed in the future to protect and enhance river values,
this would be done as a separate planning and compliance effort.
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15. Corridor Wide Management Strategies
Common to All Action Alternatives
 Natural and Cultural Resources
Protection
 Development Guidelines consistent
with Section 7 of WSRA
 Recreation Management
 Scenery Conservation
 User Capacity and Monitoring
Framework
 Climate Change Adaptation
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16. Alternative B Concept
 Emphasize natural and cultural resource
protection
 Restoration of natural river processes
would take precedence over recreational
activities
 Visitor use levels would remain the same at
low use areas, reduced in areas where impacts
are occurring if other measures are not effective
 Increase interpretation
 Refine management strategies based on
outcome of 2013-14 frontcountry transportation
and visitor use study for Zion Canyon
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17. The Preferred Alternative
 Support compatible recreational
activities
 Manage visitor use areas to maintain
use levels or allow a small increase –
including additional trails and routes
 Increase interpretation of natural and
cultural resources and build advocacy
for Wild and Scenic Rivers
 Refine management strategies based
on outcome of 2013-14 frontcountry
transportation and visitor use study for
Zion Canyon
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Alternative C Concept:

18. User Capacity Overview
 User capacity in NPS Wilderness
areas based on Backcountry
Management Plan and associated
indicators and standards
 User capacity in NPS Frontcountry
segments based on protecting and
enhancing river values and GMP
 Use on BLM segments is low
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Managing user capacity in high-demand frontcountry areas on
the Virgin River is complex and has significant implications for
park management and visitor experience at Zion. A separate
transportation/visitor experience study is underway with visitor
surveys expected this summer and modeling complete in 2014.

19. 19
User Capacity Process

20. Taylor Creek (scenic/wild)
Increase education and adjust maps
to show routes for North and South
Forks
Adjust parking as needed
Maintain direct river-related
visitation levels:
• 40 visitors / day
• Group size limits remain in place on NPS
• BLM segment upstream from NPS –
designated wilderness – use is very low
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21. La Verkin Creek (wild)
No changes to uses or facilities
Both BLM and NPS segments within
designated Wilderness
Consider day use permits, if needed for
NPS
Maintain direct river-related visitation
levels through wilderness permit system
and group size limits:
• La Verkin Creek and other tributaries: 73
people overnight plus 40 people/day
• Hop Valley Creek: 19 people/night plus 20
people and 6 horses/day
• Group size limits remain in place on NPS
• Use is low on BLM segments
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22. North Creek (scenic/wild)
No changes to facilities or uses –
improve maintenance on route along
North Creek
Maintain direct river-related visitation
levels through wilderness permit system
and group size limits:
• Left Fork: 80 visitors / day
• Right Fork & Main Segment: 30 visitors / day
• Grapevine Wash, Wolf Springs & Little Creek:
40 visitors / day
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23. North Fork Virgin River above Temple (wild)
Maintain current use levels and minor
wilderness developments (routes and
designated campsites)
Similar to no action alternative
Maintain direct river-related visitation
levels through wilderness permit system
and group size limits:
 Transition zone: 36 people 75% of the time ½ mile
from shuttle stop
 Above Orderville: max 114 people/day
 Orderville: 50 people/day March-August, 80
people/day September—February
 BLM – some use on tributaries (Oak Creek) – use is
low
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24. North Fork Virgin River below Temple
(recreational/wild)
Maintain current use levels (primary
use is scenic driving along park road,
hiking, photography)
Add natural surface trail from
Temple of Sinawava to Zion Lodge
Trail improvements in high use areas
including Emerald Pools
Potential for slight increase in direct
river-related visitation levels pending
transportation/visitor use study:
• 18,000 people/day
• 1200 people overnight at Zion Lodge and in
campgrounds
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25. East Fork Virgin River (wild)
• Maintain current closure as
Research Natural Area
• No recreational use
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26. Preferred Alternative Summary
 Includes all best management
practices and guidelines common
to all alternatives
 Maintains visitor use near current
conditions - wilderness permit
system and group size limits
remain the same
 Modest improvements to trails in
the main canyon, Taylor Creek
and North Creek to disperse use
and protect resources
 East Fork Virgin River Research
Natural Area remains closed to
visitors
NPS Preferred Alternative
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27. Contact Information:
Denver Service Center – Tracy Atkins – tracy_atkins@nps.gov
Zion National Park – Kezia Nielsen - kezia_nielsen@nps.gov
St. George Office BLM – Dawna Ferris – dawna_ferris@blm.gov

28. Questions?
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