U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Presentation of the Alternatives

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(Service) developed four management

alternatives as part of the Comprehensive

Conservation Plan (CCP) process. The

alternatives are based on the refuge 

purpose, significance, goals, legal 

mandates and comments gathered during

the public scoping period in the fall 

of 2002. 

The Service is pleased to present the 

alternatives in this booklet and during the

upcoming public workshops to be held 

May 21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th, 2003. The

workshops will involve a brief open house,

presentation of the alternatives, small

group discussions, and a question and

answer period. 

Each of the four alternatives presents a 

different approach for future refuge 

management, with a varied focus on

wildlife and habitat resource management

and public uses. In this update, you will

Rocky Flats

National Wildlife Refuge

Planning Update Volume Three, Spring 2003

find narrative descriptions and maps of the

alternatives as well as a comparison chart

that summarizes how each alternative will

fulfill the refuge goals. The Service invites

you to provide input on these alternatives

and actions you feel are most appropriate

for the future of the Refuge. We 

emphasize that no decisions concerning

refuge management have been made. 

We appreciate your continued involvement

in the CCP process, and look forward to

receiving your ideas on the preliminary

management alternatives. A questionnaire

is included for submitting written 

suggestions. The deadline for comment

submissions is June 20, 2003.

Left: Rodents and

small mammals

such as rabbits

serve as a source of

prey at Rocky Flats.

Public Workshop Schedule

 Westminster

Wednesday, May 21, 2003

6:00 - 8:30 pm

College Hill Library

Front Range Community College 

Library Room L-107

3645 W. 112th Avenue

Westminster, CO 80031 

 Boulder

Thursday, May 22, 2003

6:30 - 9:00 pm

East Recreation Center

Mountain View & Flatirons Rooms

5660 Sioux Drive

Boulder, CO 80303

 Broomfield

Wednesday May 28, 2003

1:00 - 3:30 pm

Broomfield Recreation Center

Lakeshore Room 3

280 Lamar Street

Broomfield, CO 80020

 Arvada

Thursday May 29, 2003

6:30 - 9:00 pm

Senior Recreation Center - Room E

6842 Wadsworth Boulevard

Arvada, CO 80003

Come hear presentations about the Refuge

management alternatives and engage 

in discussions about various alternatives.

Meetings will begin promptly according to

the listed schedule. 
Alternative Development

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

planning process requires examining a

range of different futures (alternatives) for

managing Rocky Flats National Wildlife

Refuge. Development of alternatives is an

important component of the decision 

making process since they allow managers,

stakeholders, and interested citizens to

explore varying approaches to protecting

resources, managing use, and directing

facility development. The development of

alternatives ensures that impacts, 

trade-offs, ideas and concerns voiced by

the public and stakeholders are analyzed

prior to selecting a final management

approach for the Refuge.

Each alternative developed by the Service

is based on a different concept of what the

future management of the Refuge could

be. The No Action alternative is based on

existing management direction as

described in the Rock Creek Reserve

Integrated Management Plan; the other

three alternatives provide a range of

approaches for managing the Refuge 

during its first 15 years of existence. 

In formulating these alternatives, the

Service and core planning team considered

three primary questions: 

 WHY was the Refuge established and

what are its establishment purposes? 

 WHAT is the vision for future 

management of the Refuge (what kind

of place do we want Rocky Flats

National Wildlife Refuge to be after

cleanup?) 

 HOW do we turn this vision into reality?

Statements of purpose and significance for

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge 

provide answers to the WHY questions

and form the foundation for the 

comprehensive conservation plan (CCP).

The primary function of the CCP is to

address the WHAT and HOW questions.

Public comments have been very important

in identifying issues and development of

possible scenarios -- or alternatives -- for the

future management of the Refuge. Upon

analyzing further public input received in

the Spring of 2003, the Service could refine

the alternatives and adopt a selected course

of action for managing the Refuge. 

The Alternatives

Four alternatives are described in this

Planning Update. For each alternative

there is a concept statement or “theme”

that describes, in general terms, the 

guiding philosophy or overall direction for

that alternative. Additionally, there is a

narrative description of the management

directions and actions that would be taken

for conserving and restoring wildlife 

habitat and other natural resources, public

uses, access, and facilities. The alternatives

are conceptual in nature, and focus on

what future resource conditions and visitor

uses should occur at Rocky Flats National

Wildlife Refuge rather than on details 

concerning how recommendations should

be achieved. For example, the exact

acreage of grassland restoration or the

specifics of restoration practices 

(e.g. grazing, burning) will not be

addressed in the alternatives, but will

eventually be outlined in step-down plans. 

Alternative Management Plan Development

Right: The Service

discusses different

ways to craft 

alternative plans.
No Action (Alternative A)

The No Action alternative serves as a 

baseline for comparing the future resource

conditions and public uses prescribed by

the other three management alternatives.

The No Action alternative follows the 

recommendations outlined in DOE’s Rock

Creek Reserve Integrated Natural

Resources Management Plan (2000).

Draft Proposed Action (Alternative B)

The Service's planning policy requires that

we select one of the alternatives as the

Draft Proposed Action prior to presenting

the alternatives to the public. The 

proposed action is the alternative that the

Service believes best fulfills the Refuge

purpose and the statutory mission and

responsibilities of the National Wildlife

Refuge System. Despite having identified

the proposed action, the Service has not

made any final decisions concerning the

alternatives and is soliciting input from the

public on what approaches are most 

appropriate for the future of Rocky Flats. 

Alternative Maps

Maps illustrating future conditions under

each alternative are presented on the 

following pages. Each alternative is 

represented by a restoration and a visitor

use map. The restoration map depicts the

extent of road, stream crossing and 

grassland restoration across the site. The

visitor use map illustrates the level of 

public use, facility development and 

recreation opportunities. 

Map Definitions

Wildlife-dependent Recreation

The six forms of wildlife-dependent 

recreation activities identified by Congress

as the System's priority public uses are:

hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, 

photography, environmental education and

interpretation. The majority of these uses

are initiated through developed trails that

traverse portions of a Refuge. Although

not classified as a wildlife-dependent 

recreational use, bicycling and horseback

riding are considered as a mode of 

transportation for accessing the interpretive

areas from regional trail systems. 

Restoration

Restoration implies returning landscape

disturbances to a more natural condition.

Restoration efforts at Rocky Flats

National Wildlife Refuge would focus on

removing most existing gravel and paved

roads and stream crossings. Areas that

have undergone agricultural conversion or

have been invaded by non-native plants

would be priority candidates for 

restoration efforts.

Resource Management Zones

Habitat management zones represent 

general areas of distinct vegetation 

patterns, soil structure, and landscape

physiography, and provide a framework for

establishing priorities for future habitat

restoration as well as the type and levels of

public use. Three management zones have

been designated at Rocky Flats to assist in

planning efforts:

1. Xeric Tallgrass Prairie. The Refuge

supports xeric tallgrass prairie. The 

majority of this unique prairie is found in

the western portion of the site, extending

eastward along several finger-like plateaus

on cobbly soils. The tallgrass plant species

provide habitat for a variety of mammals,

ground-nesting birds, and reptiles.

2. Other Grasslands. Other grassland 

communities dominate the broad ridges,

hillsides and valley floors of the site, as

well as the rolling landscape in the eastern

portion of Rocky Flats. This community is

the largest on the site, and is important to

grassland birds, small mammals and 

large mammals such as mule deer.

3. Riparian/Wetland Area. The plains

riparian community is present in

drainages throughout the Rocky Flats site,

and is characterized by a diverse mix of

trees, shrubs, and grasses. The 

community provides important habitat for

many of the bird and mammal species on

the Refuge, such as the threatened

Preble’s meadow jumping mouse.

Tall upland shrubland community is found

on north-facing slopes above wetlands and

seeps. Although the tall upland shrubland

represents less than one percent of the

total vegetation cover of the site, it contains over half of the plant species found

throughout Rocky Flats. This community

is used by many animals and birds through

the year for cover, roosting, and breeding.

Alternative Plan Explanations

Below: The xeric

tallgrass prairie is

one of three resource

management zones

of Rocky Flats.
Alternative A - No Action

This alternative provides a baseline for evaluating impacts in the other alternatives. Under Alternative A, the Service would continue to

manage the future Rocky Flats NWR as described in the Rock Creek Reserve Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (D.O.E.,

2000). The Service would emphasize resource stewardship as the overriding consideration in management activities, and would focus

on the the 1800-acre Rock Creek Reserve comprising the northern third of the Refuge. Stewardship would involve inventorying and

monitoring, restoration, weed control and removal of the majority of roads that traverse the Reserve area.

Access to the Refuge would be permitted by “arrangement only” with the Service, and visitation would be limited to guided tours. No

new visitor facilities would be built. The Service would foster partnerships that focus on fire suppression and wildlife population 

control with appropriate federal, state and local agencies.

Alternative B - "DRAFT PROPOSED ACTION" Wildlife, Habitat and Public Use

Alternative B would emphasize the conservation of wildlife and their habitats while allowing a moderate level of wildlife-dependent 

public use. Ecosystem conservation and restoration of wildlife habitats would occur throughout the entirety of the Refuge. Intensive

conservation practices would include revegetation of all unnecessary road corridors, stream crossings, hay meadows, and other 

disturbed areas.

Fourteen miles of trails would be developed mostly through conversion of existing roads. Trails would afford opportunities for

interpretation, wildlife observation and photography on portions of the site. Additional facilities would include a seasonally staffed 

visitor contact station, trailheads with vehicular parking, developed overlooks and interpretive trails. There would be a limited deer

hunting program. The Lindsay Ranch barn would be stabilized as in Alternative A, and would serve as an interpretive resource. 

The public would access the Refuge by vehicle, foot or bicycle. Some trails would be foot only. No dogs or other domestic animals would

be permitted. On- and off-site environmental education programs would focus on the prairie ecosystem and primarily target high school

and college students. The Service would support compatible scientific research that studies wildlife habitat and the interaction of wildlife and

humans. Partnerships would be sought from federal, state, municipal agencies and others to help sustain the Refuge’s goals and to conserve

contiguous lands. 

Alternative C - Ecological Restoration

Alternative C would emphasize ecosystem conservation with a focus on restoration to the extent possible of presettlement conditions

throughout the Refuge. Restoration would occur within disturbed areas - road corridors, stream crossings, cultivated fields, and 

developed areas. 

Due to the emphasis on restoration, only limited public use activities and minimal facility development would occur on the Refuge under

this alternative Facilities would be built for specific resource protection and management purposes, and one trail would accommodate

guided tours of the Rock Creek Reserve. Environmental education programs will be limited to the publication and local distribution of

learning materials about the Refuge and prairie ecosystem.

Increased opportunities for applied research that relates to the restoration of the native landscape and habitat for species of special 

concern would occur under Alternative C. Partnerships would be expanded with governmental agencies, educational institutions, and

others to assist in sustaining wildlife and their habitats, resource stewardship and the preservation of contiguous lands. 

Alternative D - Public Use

Alternative D, provides the highest level of wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities for refuge visitors. The restoration of select

plant communities and protection of existing plant communities is the focus of wildlife habitat management. Roads and some disturbed

areas that do not accommodate visitor facilities would be removed and revegetated with native species.

Visitors would be able to explore the Refuge and participate in wildlife observation and photography, interpretation, environmental 

education, and a limited hunting program. Seventeen miles of roads would be converted to a trail system accommodating foot travelers,

bicyclists, and horseback riders. Some trails would be foot only. A visitor center would be considered along the west edge of the 

boundary. Environmental education efforts would increase under alternative D and include on and off-site programs for kindergarten

through junior high school ages, as well as high school and college level students. 

To support the public use oriented management approach, research would focus on the integration of public use within a refuge 

environment. Partnerships would be sought with various public agencies as described in Alternative B, and with tourism organizations,

school districts, and others.

Summary of Alternatives 
Comparison of Alternatives 

Alternative A - No Action

Continue current habitat and wildlife management practices

that focus on the Rock Creek drainage. Limit habitat and

wildlife management in other areas to the protection of 

existing conditions. Restrict general public use. Continue

limited compatible scientific research opportunities.

Safety

Alternative B - Wildlife, Habitat & Public Use*

Implement extensive habitat and wildlife management and 

conservation focused on the restoration to presettlement 

conditions. Accommodate wildlife-dependent public use.

Facilitate compatible scientific research that focuses on 

habitats, wildlife, and public use. 

*Draft Proposed Action

Refuge

Operations

Working With

Others

Open & 

Effective

Communication

Wildlife &

Habitat

Management

Public Use,

Education &

Interpretation

GOALS

Weeds - Continue current inventory, control, and monitoring

programs and comply with State and local weed control laws

Xeric Tallgrass - Restore habitat and increase weed control in

Rock Creek only

Riparian Habitat - Increase weed control, evaluate restoration

activities in Rock Creek only and remove road crossings

Disturbed Areas - Remove and revegetate 14 miles of roads in

Rock Creek only

Species Introductions - Allow state to reintroduce game or

extirpated species at their discretion

Prairie Dogs - Limit prairie dog populations to short grass and

mixed grasslands

Restoration Tools - Use prescribed burning, vegetation 

monitoring, and herbicide application

Interpretation - Organized guided tours only

Environmental Education - none

Hunting - none

Trails - none

Facilities - none

Lindsay Ranch - Stabilize the barn

Staff - All staff will be appropriately trained about the site, 

the institutional controls and any safety hazards and 

requirements prior to beginning their assignment

Visitors - Inform all visitors about opportunities and 

restrictions for public access through outreach

Outreach - No public outreach or education programs

Emergency - Establish agreements with all adjacent fire 

districts and develop agreements with state and law 

enforcement agencies as needed

Conservation - Work with Division of Wildlife to manage

wildlife and coordinate highway planning along Indiana Street

with adjacent landowners 

Research - Maintain agreements with university and federal

agencies for research focused mainly on radionuclide 

contaminants

Staffing - 1 part-time employee supported by Rocky Mountain

staff with collateral duties at Rocky Flats

O & M Facilities - Minimal facility development

Weeds - Substantial reduction of total invaded acreage and

comply with State and local weed control laws

Xeric Tallgrass - Maintain and restore where necessary

Riparian Habitat - Restore and maintain major drainages to 

support Preble's & other native species, remove road crossings

Disturbed Areas - Restore approx. 300 acres of hay meadows

and roads. Remove and revegetate all roads (48.5 miles) not

needed for access or trails

Species Introductions - Evaluate suitability of reintroducing

sharp-tailed grouse and other native species 

Prairie Dogs - Limit prairie dog populations to short grass and

mixed grasslands

Restoration Tools - Intensively monitor and use burning,

grassland grazing, reseeding with native flora, and IPM

Interpretation - Interpretive trails and programming 

Environmental Education - On and off-site programs for high

school and college-level students

Hunting - Youth and/or disabled hunting two weekends a year,

using primitive hunting methods (e.g. archery, slugs)

Trails - Trail system with connections to surrounding trails for

hiking and limited biking. Seasonal off-trail use in southern

1/2 of site

Facilities - Seasonally staffed contact station, interpretive 

panels, trailheads, parking, and wildlife observation and 

photography facilities. 

Lindsay Ranch - Stabilize, maintain and interpret the barn

Staff - All staff will be appropriately trained about the site, the

institutional controls and any safety hazards and requirements

prior to beginning their assignment

Visitors - Inform all visitors about opportunities & restrictions

for public access through outreach and by staff on site

Outreach - Outreach will be conducted throughout the life of

the plan and in communities surrounding the Refuge. It will

will inform the public about stewardship, the Service and

NWR System, CCP implementation, and will communicate

about risk.

Cultural - Develop partnerships to manage & interpret 

cultural resources

Emergency - Establish agreements with all adjacent fire 

districts and develop agreements with state and law 

enforcement agencies as needed

Conservation - Coordinate wildlife and habitat management,

mineral rights issues, and highway planning along Indiana with

local open space agencies and adjacent landowners

Research - Evaluate proposals for compatible scientific

research that focus on habitat, wildlife, and public use

Other - Develop a volunteer program and support the 

establishment of a "Friends" group for Rocky Flats NWR.

Staffing - 3 full-time employees 

O & M Facilities - Small office space, satellite maintenance

and storage facilities (primary facilities at RMA), portable toilets
Differences from B include:

Weeds - Do not allow weed infestation to increase

Disturbed Areas - Restore approx. 300 acres of hay meadows and

roads. Remove and revegetate all roads (47.5 miles) not needed

for access or trails

Prairie Dogs - Allow prairie dog populations to expand 

naturally within short grass or mixed grasslands and

accommodate relocation of prairie dogs from off-site

Restoration Tools - Monitor public use, implement seasonal 

closures of certain areas (no burning or grazing) 

Differences from B include:

Interpretation - Wide variety of opportunities including trails,

programs, and a volunteer naturalist programs 

Environmental Education - On & off-site programs for K - College

level students and develop outdoor classroom facilities.

Trails - Extensive trail system with connections to 

surrounding trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use and 

seasonal off-trail in southern 1/2 of site

Facilities - Staffed visitor center, trailheads, parking, and

wildlife observation and photography facilities 

Lindsay Ranch - Rehabilitate, maintain and interpret the barn 

Same as B

Same as B

Differences from B include:

Research - Research will include studies of the impact of 

public use on the Refuge wildlife and other natural resources

Differences from B include:

Staffing - 5 full-time employees

O & M Facilities - small office building, primary maintenance

and storage facilities, restroom facilities

Alternative C - Ecological Restoration

Maximize habitat and wildlife management and 

conservation focused on the restoration to 

presettlement conditions. Limit general public use.

Implement compatible scientific research that focuses on 

habitat and wildlife.

Alternative D - Public Use

Focus habitat and wildlife management on the restoration of

select plant communities and the conservation of 

existing native plant communities and wildlife species. 

Provide opportunities for a diversity of compatible public uses.

Facilitate compatible scientific research focused on wildlife 

and habitat and the related impacts of public use.

Differences from B include:

Weeds - Greater reduction of total invaded acreage than B 

Xeric Tallgrass - More restoration than Alternative B

Disturbed Areas - Restore approx. 300 acres of hay meadows 

and roads. Remove and revegetate all roads (59 miles) not 

needed for access or trails

Prairie Dogs - Limit prairie dog populations to short grass and

mixed grasslands

Restoration Tools - Intensively monitor to a greater degree

than Alternative B

Differences from B include:

Interpretation - Roadside signage along Highway 93 only

Environmental Education - Off-site education materials for high

school and college level students and on-site programs limited

to teacher-led university level classes focused on 

habitat restoration and biology

Hunting - No hunting

Trails - One trail for organized guided tours only

Facilities - Information panel, access road 

Lindsay Ranch - Remove all structures and restore area to

native vegetation

Same as B

Same as B

Differences from B include:

Research - Develop a list of research needs to be addressed

by the Refuge staff and external researchers and focus on

basic and applied wildlife and habitat questions

Differences from B include:

Staffing - 4 full-time employees

O & M Facilities - satellite maintenance and storage facilities

(primary facilities at RMA), portable toilets 
Refuge Vision

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is a

healthy expanse of grasslands, shrublands

and wetlands, including rare xeric 

tallgrass prairie where natural processes

support a broad range of native wildlife.

The Refuge provides striking mountain

and prairie views, and opportunities to

appreciate the Refuge resources in an 

urbanized area through compatible 

wildlife-dependent recreation and 

education. Working with others, the Refuge

conserves the unique biotic communities

and sustains wildlife populations at the

interface of mountains and prairies on

Colorado's Front Range. Refuge Purpose

 Restoring and preserving native 

ecological systems

 Providing habitat for, and population

management of, native plants and

migratory and resident wildlife

 Conserving threatened and endangered

species [including species that are 

candidates for listing under the

Endangered Species Act of 1973 

(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)]

 Providing for opportunities for 

compatible scientific research. 

Refuge Significance

 The majority of the Rocky Flats site 

outside the industrial area has not been

disturbed since acquisition

 Rocky Flats maintains mountain vistas 

for many Denver metropolitan area 

communities 

 The Rocky Flats site provides habitat 

for wildlife, a threatened and 

endangered species, and is marked 

by a rare tallgrass prairie 

plant community 

Refuge Goals

1. Wildlife and Habitat Management

Conserve, restore and sustain biological

diversity of the native flora and fauna of

the mountain/prairie interface with 

particular consideration given to 

threatened and endangered species.

2. Public Use, Education & Interpretation

Provide visitors and students high quality

recreational, educational and interpretive

opportunities and foster an understanding

and appreciation of the Refuge's xeric 

tallgrass prairie, upland shrub, and 

wetland habitats; native wildlife; the 

history of the site; and the National

Wildlife Refuge System.

3. Safety 

Conduct operations and manage public

access in accordance with the final Rocky

Flats' cleanup decision documents to

ensure the safety of the Refuge visitors,

staff, and neighbors.

4. Effective and Open Communication

Conduct a variety of communication 

outreach efforts to raise public awareness

about the Refuge programs, management

decisions and the mission of the U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service and the National

Wildlife Refuge System among visitors,

students and nearby residents.

5. Working with Others 

Foster beneficial partnerships with 

individuals, government agencies and 

non-governmental organizations, and 

others that promote resource conservation,

compatible wildlife-related research, public

use, site history, and infrastructure.

6. Refuge Operations 

Based on available funds, provide facilities

and staff to fulfill the Refuge vision 

and purpose.

Refuge Legislation, Vision & Goals

Center: Blazing

Star is common in

the grasslands of

the Refuge.

Above: Sharp

tailed grouse will

be considered for

reintroduction.
Contact Information 

Public comments will be accepted by 

written letter or e-mail at the 

following addresses:

Rocky Flats NWR 

Comprehensive Conservation Plan

Attn: Laurie Shannon, 

Planning Team Leader 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR

Building 121

Commerce City, CO 80022 

Ph: 303/289 0980

Fax: 303/289 0579

Email: rockyflats@fws.gov

Online: http://rockyflats.fws.gov

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge

Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR

Building 121

Commerce City, CO 80022

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

FIRST CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

CITY OF DENVER

PERMIT NO 5267

Conservation Plan Schedule

There are five major stages in producing a

CCP. In the first and second phases, the

planning team reaffirms the Refuge's 

purpose, identifies issues and concerns for

the refuge, drafts a refuge vision and

goals, and collects information necessary

for the planning process. This sets the

stage for the third phase that focuses on

developing alternative management

approaches to achieving desired future

conditions and resolving issues. 

Once public comments are received in

written form and at public meetings in

May 2003, the Service will reconsider the

range of alternatives and make 

modifications and revisions. Then, a draft

CCP and environmental impact statement

(EIS) will be prepared, and include the

revised alternatives and proposed action.

The Planning Schedule

The three-year CCP process will involve the following five planning stages: 

1. Preplanning 

2. Public Involvement and Scoping

3. Develop and Analyze Alternatives 

4. Prepare Draft CCP/EIS (For Public Review)

5. Final CCP/EIS and Record of Decision (ROD)

Planning Stage Dates

May 2002 - July 2002

Aug. 2002 - Oct. 2002

Nov. 2002 -May 2003

June 2003 - Jan. 2004

Feb. 2004 - Dec. 2004

Above: Yucca is

commonly found in

grassland areas of

Rocky Flats.