Colorado River Management Plan

Colorado River Management Plan

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grand Canyon

Colorado River Management Plan 

Grand Canyon National Park

P.O. Box 129

Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023

Produced by the Office of Planning and Compliance

Grand Canyon National Park

U.S. Department of the Interior

Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Date: ______________________________ 

 Superintendent

Lunch stop along the Colorado River
Contents

Introduction 1

Background 1

Overview 2

Description of the Management Area 2

Management Direction 4

Introduction 4 

Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek (Zone 1) 4

River Use Allocation 4

Recreational Use Levels and Distribution 5

Launch Management System 10

 Launch Patterns 10

Launch Scheduling 10

Commercial and Noncommercial Operating Requirements 11

Lower Gorge River Management (Zones 2 and 3) 12

River Use Allocation 12

Recreational Use Limits for River Trips Launching from Diamond Creek 12

Upriver Travel from Lake Mead 13

Quartermaster Area Operations 13

Commercial and Noncommercial Operating Requirements 13

Resources Monitoring, Mitigation and Adaptive Management Overview 13

Noncommercial Permit System 14

Introduction 14

Transition from Waitlist to Weighted Lottery System 14

The Weighted Lottery System 14

Overview 14

How the Weighted Lottery System Works 14

Monitoring and Adaptive Management of the Noncommercial Permit System 15

Education and Outreach 16

Website and DVD 16

Campsite Atlas 16

Education Initiatives Related to Culturally Affiliated Indian Tribes 16

River Management Responsibilities 18

Introduction 18

Resources Management 18

River Operations and Permits 18

Visitor Education 19

Trails and Facilities 19

Planning and Compliance 19

Commercial Services 19

Lower Gorge River Operations and Management (Diamond Creek to Lake Mead) 20

Administrative River Use 22

Introduction 22

Administrative Trip Procedures 22

Minimum-Requirement Analysis 22

Administrative Trip Types and Procedures 22
Research, Monitoring and Mitigation Program 26

Introduction 26

Colorado River Management Settings 26

Program Objectives 28

Recreation Effects Conceptual Model 28

Limits of Acceptable Change Framework 28 

Adaptive Management 31

Mitigation Actions and Legal Obligations 32

Natural Resources 32

USFWS Biological Opinion 32

EPA Water Quality 33

Cultural Resources 33

Programmatic Agreement 33

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms 34

Appendices

Appendices to this document are found in a separate file at www.nps.gov/grca

A CRMP Record of Decision

B Sample Recreational Launch Calendar

C Commercial Operating Requirements (All Zones)

D Noncommercial River-Trip Regulations (All Zones)

E Lower Gorge Commercial Operating Requirements (Zones 2 and 3)

F Minimum-Requirement Analysis Form

G Protocol for Administrative River Trips Standard Operating Procedures 

H Programmatic Agreement

References 35

List of Preparers 35

Maps

1 Grand Canyon River Management Zones 4

Tables

1 Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek (Zone 1) Component Summary 5

2 Key CRMP Changes In Visitor Use Levels and Distribution (Zone 1) 6 

3 Comparison of Use Levels by Season: Number of Recreational Launches (Zone 1) 7

4 Comparison of Use Levels by Season: Number of Recreational Users (Zone 1) 8

5 Comparison of Use Levels by Season: Recreational User Days (Zone 1) 9

6 Daily Launches by Trip Type per Season (Zone 1) 11

7 Diamond Creek Launch Limits and Group Size (Zones 2 and 3) 12

8 Lower Gorge Trip Length Limits (Zones 2 and 3) 13

9 Education Topics and Initiatives (All Zones) 17

10 Implementation Elements, Responsible Office and Timeframe 21

11 Administrative River-Trip Types 23

12 Setting Characteristics for Colorado River Management Zones 

 based on the ROS Classification System 27

13 Examples of Monitoring Plan Matrix 30

Figures

1 Relationship of Colorado River Management Plan and Implementation Planning Documents 1

2 Allowable Launches Per Day, Lees Ferry 10

3 Recreation Effects Conceptual Model 28

4 Campsite Condition Monitoring, Conceptual Model 29

5 Adaptive Management Concept 31

 Grand Canyon National Park 

Elves Chasm

Introduction

This 2006 Colorado River Management Plan (CRMP) is a visitor use management plan that specifies actions to conserve park resources and visitor experiences while enhancing river running recreational opportunities on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA). 

This document also provides overall guidance for implementing the 2006 

CRMP by 1) describing the management decisions and actions analyzed in the 

2005 Final Environmental Impact Statement/Colorado River Management 

Plan (CRMP FEIS) and mandated by the 2006 CRMP Record of Decision 

(CRMP ROD), and 2) providing frameworks for how those decisions will be 

implemented.

Background

This 2006 CRMP replaces the 1989 CRMP as the 

visitor use management plan for the Colorado 

River through Grand Canyon National Park. 

This CRMP is intended to have a life of at least 

ten years. This document describes management 

decisions set by the CRMP ROD, and describes 

implementation strategies and programs. This 

plan includes the launch-based system of managing river use for the Lees Ferry to Diamond 

Creek section, a Lower Gorge river management 

plan, the noncommercial river permit system, 

protocols for managing administrative trips, and 

a framework for a resource education, monitoring, and mitigation program.

The CRMP FEIS dated November 2005 addressed long-standing and recent issues identified by the NPS and the public concerning 

visitor-use levels, resource preservation and 

wilderness character; quality of visitor experience; allocation of use between commercial and 

noncommercial groups; levels of motorized use; 

and the noncommercial permit system. 

The CRMP Record of Decision signed on 

February 17, 2006 (Appendix A) is the legal 

decision document for this CRMP, completing 

the environmental compliance process under 

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 

The CRMP ROD summarized elements of the 

final decision, and described public and agency 

involvement, the decision-making process, the 

statement of decision, the basis for the decision, 

and findings on impairment of park resources 

and values. Figure 1 summarizes the relationship 

of this CRMP and other implementation documents.

Figure 1

Relationship of CRMP and Implementation Planning Documents

Record of Decision

CRMP ROD

2006

2006 CRMP

This Document

Commercial 

Operating Requirements

Noncommercial 

River Trip Regulations

Administrative River Trip 

Standard Operating 

Procedures

Research, Monitoring 

and Mitigation Program

Cultural and Natural 

Resources, and Visitor 

Experience Monitoring Plans

NPS Research, Education, 

and Partnership Programs
 Colorado River Management Plan

Solitude at Deer Creek Falls

Colorado River Management Vision Statement

The Colorado River corridor in Grand Canyon National Park will be managed 

to provide a wilderness river experience in which visitors can intimately relate 

to the majesty of the Grand Canyon and its natural and cultural resources. 

Visitors traveling through the canyon on the Colorado River will have the 

opportunity for a variety of personal outdoor experiences, ranging from 

solitary to social, with as little influence from the modern world as possible. 

The Colorado River corridor will be protected and preserved in a wild and 

primitive condition.

Overview

Description of the Management Area

The management area includes the 277-mile 

Colorado River corridor as it passes through 

Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern 

Arizona. The Colorado River in Grand Canyon provides a unique combination of thrilling 

whitewater adventure and magnificent vistas of a 

remarkable geologic landscape including remote 

and intimate side canyons. The river is a corridor 

of desert and riparian habitats a mile beneath the 

rim’s coniferous forests. Plants and animals inhabiting the inner canyon are beautifully adapted 

to the canyon environment. The river corridor 

also holds hundreds of archeological and historical sites, evidence of long human occupation. 

Over 1.1 million acres of GRCA is proposed 

for wilderness designation, and approximately 

29,280 acres have been identified as potential 

wilderness including the Colorado River corridor. In accordance with NPS policy, GRCA 

will manage proposed and potential wilderness 

as wilderness until Congress acts to designate or 

remove it from consideration.

Distance along the river corridor is measured in 

river miles (RM), beginning near GRCA’s eastern 

boundary at Lees Ferry with RM 0, and ending 

near GRCA’s western boundary at the Grand 

Wash Cliffs with RM 277. Most river trips begin 

at Lees Ferry, approximately one mile upstream 

from GRCA’s boundary, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA). Most trips end at 

the only place within the 277-mile river corridor 

where boats can be de-rigged and transported 

out of the steep-walled canyon: Diamond Creek 

RM 226 (via the Diamond Creek Road across the 

Hualapai Reservation). 

The fifty-one miles of river from below Diamond 

Creek (RM 226) to the river’s entry into Lake 

Mead (RM 277) is called the Lower Gorge. River 

trips continuing past or beginning at Diamond 

Creek take out at South Cove on Lake Mead, 18 

miles beyond Grand Wash Cliffs. Prior to 2001, 

trips took out at Pearce Ferry on Lake Mead, 

three miles beyond Grand Wash Cliffs. Drought 

conditions and low water levels beginning in 2001 

and continuing to the present (2006) have made 

the Pearce Ferry takeout inaccessible. 

A variety of river trips are available on the 

Colorado River through Grand Canyon, and 

differ by craft, trip type, duration, season, group 

size and other variables. Visitors may participate 

on an outfitter-guided trip (commercial) or a 

self-guided (noncommercial) trip and travel on 

motorized or nonmotorized rafts. On a motorized trip, boats are powered by 25- to 40-horsepower, four-stroke engines, and each boat typically carries 8 to 23 people. Nonmotorized trips 

are human powered by oar or paddle. Common 

nonmotorized craft include rafts, dories, kayaks 

and catarafts. Additionally, on motor-supported 

trips (also known as hybrid trips) predominant 

transportation is human powered (oar or paddle 

boat), but a motorized vessel(s) is used to carry 

gear (only during motor months). Although at 

least one vessel on these trips is motorized, the 

group is allowed to move only at the speed (trip 

length) of a nonmotorized trip. Conversely, a 

permit holder or commercial operator is not allowed to add a paddle or oar boat to a motorized 

trip for the purpose of traveling at the nonmotorized trip speed. 

Depending on the type of trip and season, visitors may participate in trips up to 16 days in summer and 25 days in winter. River trip participants 

desiring shorter trips may leave or enter the canyon along various routes. Noncommercial trip 

participants can hike in or out anywhere in the 

canyon, but most exchange at Phantom Ranch 

(RM 88) via the Bright Angel or South Kaibab 

Trails. Commercial passengers launching at Lees 

Ferry may only exchange at Phantom Ranch or 

Whitmore (RM 187). 

Types and levels of recreational use in the Lower 

Gorge vary greatly from those above Diamond 

Creek (RM 226), primarily due to road and 

boat access to the river by way of the Hualapai 

Reservation and Lake Mead. Lower Gorge trips 

include commercial day and overnight trips run 

by the Hualapai Tribe, as well as noncommercial 
 Grand Canyon National Park 

overnight trips, trips continuing from Lees Ferry 

and trips traveling upriver from Lake Mead. 

Trips run by the Hualapai Tribe disembark and 

occasionally exchange passengers via helicopter 

in the Quartermaster Canyon area (RM 262.5). 

Passengers are also flown in from Grand Canyon 

West on the Hualapai Reservation to the launch 

facilities at the Quartermaster Canyon area to 

take a short pontoon-boat tour. Helicopter trips 

from Grand Canyon West occur over Hualapai 

land; the National Park Service (NPS) has no 

authority over transportation options located 

outside the park boundary. 

The planning area includes over 200 camping 

beaches and numerous attractions along the river 

corridor. Attraction sites include side canyons 

(particularly those with perennial streamflow), 

archeological and paleontological sites, historic locations and properties, caves, waterfalls, 

springs and hiking trails. Most recreational use 

occurs close to the river; however, river runners 

often explore side canyons within the park’s 

backcountry and may venture beyond the park 

boundary onto adjacent tribal or non-NPS federal lands where permits may be required.

The Colorado River corridor borders tribal lands 

for nearly half the distance from the put-in at 

Lees Ferry to the last take-out on Lake Mead. 

The Navajo Indian Reservation borders GRCA 

along the eastern bank of the Colorado River 

from RM 0 (zero) near Lees Ferry to RM 61.5 at 

the confluence with the Little Colorado River. 

The Havasupai Indian Reservation boundary 

along the river corridor is within Havasu Canyon. The Hualapai Indian Reservation borders 

the river corridor for approximately 108 miles 

from upstream of National Canyon (RM 164.5) 

to approximately RM 273. Coordination with 

these park neighbors is necessary to address 

resource-management and visitor-use concerns 

along shared NPS/tribal boundaries. Access 

permits from the Navajo Nation, Havasupai Tribe 

or Hualapai Tribe are required by each respective 

tribe to access that tribe’s lands. 

Sunrise at 202
 Colorado River Management Plan

Hiking along the Colorado River near 

Palisades of the Desert

Map 1. Grand Canyon River 

 Management Zones

Introduction

For the purposes of the 2006 CRMP, the Colorado River is divided into two geographic sections: 1) the Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek section 

and 2) the Lower Gorge (Diamond Creek to Lake 

Mead). These sections were further divided into 

management zones (Map 1) established to represent diversity of recreational settings and opportunities in different river reaches as follows: 

Zone 1 Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek

(RM 0 to RM 226)

Zone 2 Diamond Creek to Quartermaster 

Canyon (RM 226 to RM 260)

Zone 3 Quartermaster Canyon to Lake Mead 

NRA boundary (RM 260 to RM 277)

Zone 4 GRCA boundary to Lake Mead take-out 

areas (RM 277 on) managed by Lake 

Mead NRA

Collectively, Zones 2, 3 and 4 are considered the 

Lower Gorge of the Colorado River. These zones 

are based on Recreation Opportunity Spectrum 

(ROS) framework representing the diversity of 

recreational settings and opportunities. The river 

management zone descriptions, settings and 

desired resource conditions are described in the 

Research, Monitoring and Mitigation Program 

(RM&MP) section of this document.

The following sections describe key management 

decisions set forth by the CRMP ROD for Zone 1, 

Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek and for the Lower 

Gorge, Zones 2 and 3, Diamond Creek to Lake 

Mead boundary.

Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek (Zone 1)

River Use Allocation 

The split allocation system apportions recreational use between commercial and noncommercial trips. This is accomplished by establishing daily and seasonal launch limits for the 

various types of commercial and noncommercial 

trips. In addition to launch limits, commercial 

use is capped at 115,500 user days (e.g. one person 

on the river for any portion of the day). User-day 

limits are not applied to noncommercial trips. 

Administrative use (trips that focus on scientific 

research, education, resource management, 

visitor protection, etc.) is not included in the 

recreational-use allocation.

Commercial river outfitters under contract with 

the NPS are authorized to provide a range of trip 

types in accordance with the National Park Service Concessions Management and Improvement 

Act of 1998 (16 USC 5961). Permits for noncommercial river trips are distributed through the 

Weighted Lottery System which replaces the 

former Waitlist permit system (See Noncommercial Permit System). 

Management 

Direction
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Recreational Use Levels and Distribution

The 2006 CRMP prescribes management of 

recreational use by establishing limits on the 

number of daily launches, group size, trip length 

and motorized and nonmotorized use periods. 

The maximum commercial-group size is set 

at 32, and an additional small noncommercial 

group size of eight has been established. The 

maximum trip length of 16 days combined 

with the even launch pattern also provides an 

Table 1

Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek (Zone 1) Component Summary

Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek Component Summary 

No-Motor Season 6.5 months (Sept 16–March 31)

Whitmore Exchanges (months allowed) April-Sept

Maximum Group Size (Guides included in the commercial group size)

 Commercial Motor and Oar

 Noncommercial Standard

 Noncommercial Small

32 participants (May–Aug) / 24 participants (Remainder)

16 participants

8 participants

Maximum Trip Length to Diamond Creek Summer Shoulder Seasons Winter

 Commercial Motor

 Commercial Oar

 Noncommercial Motor

 Noncommercial Oar

10 days 12 days N/A

16 days 18 days N/A

12 days 12 days N/A

16 days 18 days (Sept 1-15), 21 25 days

Maximum Number of Launches per Day 6 4 (April 16–30), 6 (Sept 1–15), 

3 (Remainder)

1

Estimated Yearly Totals User Days

228,986

Recreational users

24,657

Estimated Maximums Trips at One Time (TAOT)

60

Passengers at One Time (PAOT)

985

increased number of noncommercial launches in 

the summer months (May through August). The 

no-motors period extends through the winter 

and early spring. Whitmore exchanges will be 

allowed for commercial trips launching April 1 

through September 15. Components of the 2006 

CRMP are summarized in Table 1. 

Tables 2, 3, 4, and 5 provide a detailed comparison of key changes from the 1989 CRMP (Old 

Plan) and 2006 CRMP (This Plan).

An exciting day in the canyon

Mixed-Use Season 5.5 months (April 1 through September 15)
 Colorado River Management Plan

Use Levels and Distribution Old Plan 2006 Plan

Year Round Overall Use 

 Estimated number of recreational users 22,461 24,567

 Estimated number of launches 893 1,101

 Estimated number of user-days 169,950 228,986

Seasonal Use Periods 

 March – April Secondary Spring Shoulder

 May – August Primary Summer

 September/October Primary/Secondary Fall Shoulder

 November – February Secondary Winter

Maximum Group Size (includes guides) 

 Commercial motor trips 43 32 (summer)

24 (shoulders)

 Commercial oar trips 39 32 (summer)

24 (shoulders)

 Noncommercial Standard

 Noncommercial Small

16 16

 8

Maximum Trip Lengths (in number of days) 

 Commercial motor trips 

Same for all trips:

18 days:

 Apr 16 – Oct 15

21 days:

 Oct 16 – Nov 30 

 Mar 1 – Apr 15

30 days:

 Dec 1 – Feb 29

10 (summer)

12 (shoulders) 

 0 (winter)

 Commercial oar trips 

16 (summer)

18 (shoulders)

 0 (winter)

 

 Noncommercial oar trips 

16 (summer)

18 (Sept 1-15)

21 (shoulders)

25 (winter)

 Noncommercial motor trips 

12 (summer)

12 (shoulders)

 0 (winter)

Mixed Use/Nonmotorized Use Periods 

Mixed-use (motorized and nonmotorized) period Dec 16 – Sept 15 

9 months

Apr 1 – Sept 15 

5.5 months

Nonmotorized use period Sept 16 – Dec 15 

3 months

Sept 16 – Mar 31 6.5 months

Passenger Exchanges 

Phantom Ranch No restrictions Guides required for hike in and out

Whitmore No restrictions Apr 1- Sept 15 before 10 a.m.

Table 2

Key CRMP Changes In Visitor Use Levels and Distribution (Zone 1)
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Estimated Number of Recreational Launches (Trips) Old Plan 2006 Plan

Maximum number of Daily Launches – Primary Season 9 6

Maximum number of Daily Launches – Shoulder Season 7 6

Summer (May – August)

 Commercial Launches 534 476

 Motorized Trips 417 369

 Nonmotorized/Oar Trips 117 123

 Noncommercial Launches 129 185

 Standard Group Size Trips 129 123

 Small Group Size Trips 62

 TOTAL Summer Launches 663 661

Shoulder (March/April & September/October)

 Commercial Launches 106 122

 Motorized Trips 56 60

 Nonmotorized/Oar Trips 50 62

 Noncommercial Launches 97 199

 Standard Group Size Trips 97 184

 Small Group Size Trips 15

 TOTAL Shoulder Launches 203 321

Winter (November – February)

 Commercial Launches 0 0

 Noncommercial Launches 28 120

 TOTAL Winter Launches 28 120

Estimated Total Recreational Trips Year Round 893 1,101

Table 3

Comparison of Use Levels by Season: Number of Recreational Launches (Trips) (Zone 1)

Vermilion Cliffs 
 Colorado River Management Plan

Estimated Number of Recreational Users Old Plan 2006 Plan

Summer (May – August)

 Commercial Passengers 16,245 14,385

 Motorized Trips 12,970 11,511

 Nonmotorized/Oar Trips 3,275 2,874

 Noncommercial Trip Participants 1,883 2,270

 Standard Group Size Trips 1,883 1,901

 Small Group Size Trips 369

 TOTAL Summer 18,128 16,655

Shoulder (March/April and September/October)

 Commercial Passengers 2,646 3,221

 Motorized Trips 1,517 1,666

 Nonmotorized/Oar Trips 1,129 1,556

 Noncommercial Trip Participants 1,370 2,926

 Standard Group Size Trips 1,370 2,836

 Small Group Size Trips 90

 TOTAL Shoulder 4,016 6,145

Winter (November – February)

 Commercial Passengers 0 0

 Noncommercial Trip Participants 318 1,855

 TOTAL Winter 318 1,855

Estimated Total Recreational Users – Year Round 22,461 24,567

Table 4

Comparison of Use Levels by Season: Number of Recreational Users (Zone 1)
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Table 5

Comparison of Use levels by Season: Recreational User Days* (Zone 1)

Estimated Number of Recreational User-days Old Plan 2006 Plan

Summer (May – August)

 Commercial 92,568 91,909

 Motorized Trips 65,682 67,329

 Nonmotorized/Oar Trips 26,886 24,580

 Noncommercial Trips 29,301 32,408

 Standard Group Size 27,142

 Small Group Size 5,266

Shoulder (March/April and September/October)

 Commercial 20,515 23,591

 Motorized Trips 8,578 9,584

 Nonmotorized/Oar Trips 11,937 14,007

 Noncommercial Trips 22,588 46,992

 Standard Group Size 45,547

 Small Group Size 1,445

Winter (November – February)

 Commercial Use 0 0

 Noncommercial Use 6,159 34,087

Total Commercial User-days Limits 115,500 115,500

Total Noncommercial User-day Limits 54,450 None

*User days equal one person on the river for any portion of a day
10 Colorado River Management Pla

Kayakers in Grand Canyon

Figure 2

Allowable Launches per Day, Lees Ferry

The Launch Management System 

Launch Patterns

The launch-based system of managing river use 

replaces the daily passenger limits set in previous 

plans. The number and types of daily and seasonal launches is based on the carrying capacity 

of the Colorado River corridor. Primary factors 

determining carrying capacity are:

•physical variables the number, size and

 distribution of camping 

 beaches;

•resource variables the number, types and

 condition of natural and 

 cultural resources; 

•social variables on-river and attraction 

 site encounters, campsite 

 competition, the number 

 of trips at one time 

 (TAOT), and the number 

 of people at one time 

 (PAOT) in the corridor. 

The 2006 CRMP sets the maximum number of 

daily launches at six every other day (or 5.5 average), the projected maximum number of TAOT 

at 60, and the projected maximum number of 

PAOT at 985 in the peak use period of May 

through August. Launches are assigned by trip 

type (e.g. commercial, noncommercial, motor 

and/or oar) on a daily basis, and vary by season. 

Distribution by trip type, trip length and season 

provides a range of opportunities and visitor 

experiences while protecting park resources. 

Figure 2 and Table 6 illustrate daily and seasonal 

launch patterns. A sample recreational launch 

calendar is included as Appendix B. 

Launch Scheduling

Recreational river trips will not be scheduled 

more than two years in advance, and will be distributed in accordance with the launch prescriptions described in the CRMP ROD. Commercial 

operators must schedule trips in accordance with 

requirements outlined in their concession contracts. Noncommercial trips are scheduled annually through the weighted lottery permit system. 

As part of the transition from the waitlist system, 

approximately one-half of the noncommercial 

launch dates through 2011 were distributed in 

2006. Administrative trips may be approved up 

to one year in advance and will be scheduled to 

minimize impacts to recreational trips.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Jan Feb Mar Apr

1-15

Apr

16-

30

May Jun Jul Aug Sep

1-15

Sep

16-

30

Oct Nov Dec

Month

Launches

 Non-commercial (small)

 Non-commercial (std)

 Commercial Oar

 Commercial motor

 Maximum Launches per Day

Average Launches per Day
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Commercial 

Motor

Commercial Oar Noncommercial

Standard (16)

Noncommercial 

Small (8)

Total per day

Spring Shoulder 

March 0 0 2 0 2

April 1-15 0.5 1 1 0.5 3

April 16-30 1 1 1 0.5 3 or 4

Summer

May 1- Aug 31 3 1 1 0.5 5 or 6

Fall Shoulder

Sept 1-15 2 .5 1 .25 1.5 0 5 or 6

Sept 16-30 0 1.5 1.5 0 3

October 0 0.5 1.5 0 2

Winter

Nov 1– Feb 29 0 0 1 0 1

.5 launch = launch every other day, .25 launch = launch every 4th day

Table 6

Daily Launches by Trip Type per Season (Zone 1)

Commercial and Noncommercial 

Operating Requirements 

New operating requirements applicable to Zone 1 

established by this CRMP include:

•Recreational passengers are limited to one 

river trip per year from Lees Ferry to Diamond 

Creek

•To improve safety, commercial passengers must 

be accompanied by a NPS-approved guide on 

all trip-related hikes including hiking exchanges

into and out of the canyon

•Visitation at the mouth of Tapeats and Kanab 

Creeks by river runners is restricted to day-use 

only

•To protect humpback chub and critical habitat, 

no boats will be allowed to enter or park in the 

Little Colorado River (LCR), and visitation at 

the southern half of the LCR is restricted seasonally (March 1 to November 30). 

•To protect Kanab ambersnail habitat, upper 

Elves Chasm will be closed to recreational access from March through October each year.

Operating requirements may change or be modified based on future resource conditions, safety 

or environmental concerns or new information. 

Commercial Operating Requirements applicable 

to all commercial river services launching from 

Lees Ferry (All Zones) are attached as Appendix 

C. Noncommercial River Trip Regulations (All 

Zones) are attached as Appendix D.

A visitor enjoys time along the Colorado
1  Colorado River Management Pl

Lower Gorge River Management 

(Zones 2 and 3)

The 2006 CRMP represents the first formal river 

management plan that prescribes recreationaluse limits for the variety of river activities in 

the Lower Gorge of the Colorado River from 

Diamond Creek to Lake Mead. The plan sets the

maximum group size and trip length for commercial and noncommercial groups launching 

from Diamond Creek, allows upriver travel from 

Lake Mead to Separation Canyon, restricts the 

number of daily jet-boat pickups and establishes 

parameters for types and levels of motorized 

commercial opportunities in the Quartermaster 

area. Motorized and nonmotorized river trips are 

allowed year-round. Key management actions for 

the Lower Gorge are described below. 

River Use Allocation, Lower Gorge 

(Zones 2 and 3)

The split allocation system is also adopted for 

the Lower Gorge. The apportionment of use 

between commercial and noncommercial use 

is based on daily and seasonal launch limits 

and group size. Included in this apportionment 

are the commercial and noncommercial trips 

launching from Lees Ferry and continuing into 

the Lower Gorge. 

The Hualapai Tribe offers a variety of commercial river trips in the Lower Gorge. As set forth 

by the CRMP ROD, the NPS intends to award 

the Hualapai Tribe a concession contract for 

Lower Gorge operations. Noncommercial river 

permits are available from the NPS on a firstcome, first-served basis. Should the demand for 

use in Lower Gorge increase, the NPS may implement a lottery system for trips launching from 

Diamond Creek. There is no distinction between 

noncommercial and educational special-use trips 

in the Lower Gorge. Educational groups can apply as a noncommercial trip. Permits for access 

to Hualapai Tribal lands are also required.

Recreational Use Limits for River Trips 

launching from Diamond Creek 

Three types of recreational trips launch from 

Diamond Creek: 

1) One-day commercial trips operated by the 

 Hualapai Tribe,

2) Overnight commercial trips operated by the 

 Hualapai Tribe, and 

3) Noncommercial (or educational) river trips.

In addition to recreational trips, administrative 

trips approved by the NPS and the Hualapai 

Tribe are conducted in the Lower Gorge.

The Lower Gorge provides a one-to-three day 

river-excursion opportunity for visitors. During 

the peak season (May through September), the 

number of one-day trips run by the Hualapai 

Tribe is variable within the prescribed group 

size and passenger launch limits. The maximum 

group size limit is 40 people (including guides); 

the maximum number of passengers per day is 

96. During the non-peak months of October 

through April, the daily limits for one-day trips 

run by the Hualapai Tribe is two launches of 35 

people.

Overnight trips run by the Hualapai Tribe and 

noncommercial trips are subject to daily launch 

limits and trip lengths. During the peak season, 

three trips run by the Hualapai Tribe (maximum 

group size of 20 people) and two noncommercial 

river trips (maximum group size of 16 people) are 

allowed to launch each day. During the non-peak 

season, one overnight trip run by the Hualapai 

Tribe (20 people) and two noncommercial/educational trips are allowed to launch each day. 

This information is summarized in Table 7.

This 2006 CRMP establishes trip length limits in the Lower Gorge that apply to all trips 

launching from Diamond Creek and for trips 

launching from Lees Ferry that continue into 

the Lower Gorge. Trip length limits are based on 

the number of camps and vary by season. This 

Table 7

Diamond Creek Launch Limits and Group Size (Zones 2 and 3)

Hualapai One-day Hualapai Overnight Noncommercial 

Peak Season: May through September

Daily Launches 96 passengers/day 3 2

Group Size 40 20 16

Non-peak Season: October through April

Daily Launches 2 1 2

Group Size 35 20 16

Diamond Peak

Agave Utahensis
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Lower Gorge, Grand Canyon

information is summarized in Table 8. In addition, the CRMP allows for establishment of three 

additional campsites on the south bank below 

Separation Canyon to accommodate commercial 

trips run by the Hualapai Tribe.

Upriver Travel from Lake Mead

Trips launching from Lees Ferry and continuing into the Lower Gorge often employ jetboat 

or powerboat services to move people and/or 

rafts across the smoothwater sections of the 

Lower Gorge. Upriver travel from Lake Mead is 

permitted to Separation Canyon. The number of 

commercial river passenger pick-ups is limited to 

four per day during the peak season and one per 

day during the non-peak season. Motorized towouts for noncommercial trips are also allowed. 

Quartermaster Area Operations

The Quartermaster area includes the 17-mile segment of the Colorado River within Zone 3. The 

Hualapai Tribe offers a variety of recreational 

activities on tribal lands including helicopter 

sightseeing tours. Pontoon tours originating from 

the Quartermaster area are limited to 480 passengers per day with a total of five boats at one 

time. In accordance with the CRMP ROD, these 

daily limits may increase to 600 based on favorable performance reviews and resource monitoring data. The Hualapai Tribe may be installing a 

floating dock to facilitate passenger loading and 

unloading for their whitewater and pontoon operations.

Commercial and Noncommercial Operating 

Requirements (Zones 2 and 3)

Commercial Operating Requirements applicable 

to all commercial river services launching from 

Diamond Creek are attached as Appendix E. 

The commercial and noncommercial operating 

requirements for trips launching from Lees Ferry 

are also applicable in the Lower Gorge.

Resources Monitoring, Mitigation and 

Adaptive Management Overview 

The NPS will implement a Research, Monitoring and Mitigation Program to ensure that the 

CRMP management objective of minimizing 

impacts to resources while providing quality 

river experiences is met. An integrated monitoring and mitigation program will focus on the 

effects of recreational use on park resources and 

values. The framework for the Research, Monitoring and Mitigation Program is outlined in this 

document. Specific monitoring protocols will be 

developed for various resources, and mitigation 

actions taken, based on monitoring program results and findings.

Adaptive management provides systematic feedback to park management and allows adjustments or modifications to mitigate unplanned or 

undesirable implementation outcomes. Adaptive 

management will allow resource managers to 

change management prescriptions and mitigation 

actions when necessary conditions arise, based 

on resource monitoring results. 

Table 8

Lower Gorge Trip Length Limits (Zones 2 and 3)

Trip Length Limits: Number of Nights 

Peak Season Non-peak Season

Diamond Creek to Separation Canyon (Zone 2) 1 1

Separation Canyon to RM 260 (Zone 2) 1 2

RM 260 to Lake Mead (Zone 3) 1 2
1  Colorado River Management Pl

Noncommercial Permit 

System

Introduction

The Weighted Lottery System replaces the Waitlist for obtaining noncommercial river trip permits that launch from Lees Ferry and take-out 

at Diamond Creek or Lake Mead. This section 

describes the new Weighted Lottery System as 

set forth by the CRMP ROD, and outlines the 

application process, permit award and cancellation policy. Up-to-date detailed information on 

the annual lottery will be available to the public 

and lottery applicants on the park website at 

www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/whitewaterrafting.htm

The Weighted Lottery System is designed to 

meet the following objectives: 1) offer opportunities for new noncommercial users to succeed in 

obtaining a permit, 2) favor requests from those 

who have been unsuccessful in previous years, 

3) minimize application process complexity, 4) 

preserve the group character of noncommercial 

trips (those who want to travel together), and 5) 

encourage people to apply for launches only in 

years when they are really interested in going. 

Transition to Weighted Lottery System

As outlined in the CRMP FEIS and ROD, a 

three-stage expedited transition for former noncommercial waitlist members took place during 

the first six months after the CRMP ROD was 

signed in 2006. Key aspects of the transition include:

• A total of 1,200 launch dates from 2007 

through 2011 were made available to 

waitlist members through Stage 1 and 2 

of the transition process. Most of these 

dates were claimed, and will remain unavailable through the lottery system. 

• Many waitlist members were given 

extra chances in exchange for transitioning off the waitlist and into the 

Weighted Lottery System. These extra 

chances are in addition to the standard 

chances others get in the lottery, can be 

re-used year after year, and expire only 

when the former waitlist member goes 

on a commercial or noncommercial trip 

or is awarded a trip through the lottery. 

• The NPS will monitor the progress of 

former waitlist members who chose 

extra chances in Stage 3 of the transition and apply regularly through the 

lottery but continue not to obtain a 

permit. The NPS may apply adaptive 

management measures to ensure wait 

times of those people do not excessively 

increase beyond what they would have 

waited under the old waitlist and allocation system.

The Weighted Lottery System

Overview

Each year, a weighted lottery will award noncommercial launches for the following year (e.g. 

2006 lottery awards launches for calendar year 

2007). Chances in the lottery will vary depending 

on whether applicants have been on a commercial or noncommercial Grand Canyon river trip 

within the past five years and whether applicants 

received additional chances in transitioning to 

the lottery from the former waitlist system. 

How the Weighted Lottery System Works

Lottery applications for noncommercial river 

trips launching at Lees Ferry will be accepted 

over the internet; alternative application methods will be available for those without internet 

access. Applicants will be required to list key 

identification information about all potential 

alternate trip leaders (PATL) on the lottery application. This PATL list cannot be modified at any 

later time, and all the potential leaders must be a 

minimum of 18 years old by the time of launch. 

Individuals may be listed as potential leaders on 

a maximum of one trip per year. All individuals listed on a lottery application as potential 

alternate trip leaders are automatically eligible 

to qualify as alternate trip leaders. Thus, if the 

original trip leader must drop out, the rest of the 

group can continue their plans. Applications can 

include requests for any or even all launch dates 

throughout the year, though only five launch 

dates will receive initial consideration.

Each application’s chance of being drawn 

through the Weighted Lottery System will vary 

depending on the minimum number of years 

it has been since any potential leader for that 

trip has won through the lottery or participated 

in any part of another Lees Ferry to Diamond 

Creek river trip. The following list illustrates 

standard chances each application will get based 

on the most recent time any potential leader 

listed on the application has won through the 

lottery or been on a commercial or noncommercial river trip. 

Up-to-date detailed information on the annual 

lottery will be available 

to the public and lottery 

applicants on the park’s 

website at www.nps.

gov/grca/planyourvisit/

whitewater-rafting.htm

River runners on the Colorado River in 

Grand Canyon National Park
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Most Recent Time any Potential Leader Participated on a Trip Chances

Never = 5 chances

5 or more calendar years before application = 5 chances

4 calendar years before application = 4 chances

3 calendar years before application = 3 chances

2 calendar years before application = 2 chances

1 calendar year or less before application = 1 chance

As mentioned above, some applicants will get 

extra chances in the Weighted Lottery System. 

These extra chances were given to waitlist members in exchange for transitioning off the waitlist 

and into the Weighted Lottery System. These 

extra chances are in addition to the standard 

chances listed above, can be re-used year after 

year, and expire only when the former waitlist 

member goes on a commercial or noncommercial trip or obtains a launch date through the 

lottery. Unlike the standard chances that every 

application gets as listed above, these extra 

chances are cumulative; all extra chances held 

by each PATL listed on the application will be 

added to the main applicant’s extra chances and 

benefit the applicant.

Each application may list up to five dates. As 

soon as an application is drawn through the 

Weighted Lottery System, these five dates 

will be considered in the order requested. If 

a launch date is available and the nonrefundable trip deposit is successfully received, the 

applicant will be awarded the trip. If none of 

the five launch dates requested can be awarded 

to the applicant, another application will be 

considered. The process will continue until all 

launches have been awarded. 

If launches remain available after considering 

all applications, or later become available due to 

trip cancellations, the process will be repeated 

with additional runs of the lottery. Permits that 

continue to be unclaimed through the lottery 30 

days before the launch date may be awarded on 

a first-apply, first-served basis. 

Permits may not be deferred or swapped but may 

be passed to a PATL listed on the original application. Trip leaders will continue to have the 

freedom to change their list of participants up to 

within three weeks of launch.

Noncommercial River Trip Regulations and other procedures will be maintained and modified 

as necessary by the NPS to implement the noncommercial permit system provisions described 

in the CRMP ROD. Noncommercial River Trip 

Regulations (All Zones) are in Appendix D.

Monitoring and Adaptive Management 

of the Noncommercial Permit System

The NPS will monitor the Weighted Lottery 

System to ensure management objectives are 

attained. As described in the waitlist transition 

process, the NPS will monitor the progress of 

former waitlist members who chose extra chances and continue to be unsuccessful in obtaining a permit or who participate on a river trip. 

Through adaptive management, the NPS may 

implement measures to ensure the wait times of 

those people do not excessively increase beyond 

what they would have waited under the old waitlist and allocation system. These measures may 

include heavier weighting for some applicants, 

noncompetitive awarding of some launches, and/

or other management actions as needed to meet 

the objectives of the Weighted Lottery System.

Spencer Trail
1  Colorado River Management Pl

Education and 

Outreach

Educating Grand Canyon river users on park 

stewardship is essential to successful CRMP implementation. Visitor actions directly influence 

resource protection and wilderness preservation. 

In many instances, visitors are unaware that their 

behavior may adversely affect the very resources 

they came to enjoy. Education and public outreach is one of the most powerful tools available to NPS managers and a primary means of 

mitigating recreational river-use impacts. Table 

9 summarizes educational program topics and 

initiatives suggested by the public, tribal agencies 

and park staff during the 2006 CRMP comment 

period.

In the CRMP ROD the NPS committed to creating a multi-media educational program for 

all users that teaches river safety and etiquette, 

permitting requirements (on NPS and adjacent 

lands), park regulations, ways to avoid impacts 

to natural and cultural resources, crowding at 

camps and attraction sites, minimum-impact 

practices, camping protocols (campsite map), 

appropriate uses in management zones, tribal/

agency boundaries and appropriate behavior at 

sacred sites.

Website and DVD

To keep river users informed, the NPS will continue to update the CRMP and river websites 

at www.nps.gov/grca. As part of an enhanced 

visitor education program, the NPS envisions 

developing a tutorial on this website. The tutorial 

will describe appropriate visitor behavior and 

low-impact camping techniques. In addition, the 

NPS sends a DVD to all noncommercial permit 

holders prior to their Colorado River trip. Users 

who enter at Diamond Creek also receive the 

DVD. The DVD addresses many issues listed 

above. The NPS also envisions sharing research, 

monitoring and mitigation planning progress and 

results through an annual or biannual forum.

Noncommercial river runners will continue to 

receive an orientation at the Lees Ferry launch 

area, and the educational program will continue 

to be reviewed and updated. Additionally, educational materials will continue to be provided in 

the noncommercial river permit packet. 

Commercial outfitters are required, per their 

concessions contracts, to provide a visitor orientation that addresses safety, environmental protection procedures and appropriate low-impact 

behavior for commercial river users. Commercial 

river guides also provide on-river interpretation and act as stewards to ensure that resource 

impacts are minimized and parties adhere to the 

Commercial Operating Requirements (Appendix 

C and E). In cooperation with guides, outfitters, 

researchers and other partners, NPS will provide 

updated educational materials to all commercial 

river-running outfitters. 

Campsite Atlas

In cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC), the Hualapai Tribe 

and other researchers, the NPS will compile a 

campsite atlas that documents Colorado River 

campsites from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead. This 

will enable researchers and park managers to 

better understand trends in campsite conditions, size and location. Information compiled 

in the inventory will include: location, campsite 

boundaries, campsite capacity, information from 

historic studies and campsite attributes such 

as boat-mooring areas and resource-condition 

class. This atlas will serve as the official inventory 

of camping beaches along the Colorado River 

and assist river users with campsite selection 

based on group size and trip itinerary. 

Education Initiatives Related to 

Culturally Affiliated Indian Tribes

To enhance interpretation of Grand Canyon 

from a Native American perspective, and in accordance with 36 Code of Federal Regulations 

(CFR) subsection 51.17(b)(2), the NPS included, 

in the prospectus for commercial river-running 

concession contracts, a secondary selection 

factor calling for the interpretation of Grand 

Canyon from the perspective of American Indian

tribes that have historical ties to the canyon and 

are culturally affiliated with it.

River runners pass under the bridges at 

Marble Canyon

A paddle boat on the Colorado River
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Table 9

Education Topics and Initiatives (All Zones)

Natural Resource Topics

Educate private and commercial guides and passengers about 

procedures to protect natural resources including:

Initiative(s)

Kanab ambersnail, desert tortoise, condors, brown pelicans, 

southwest willow flycatcher, humpback chub and other native 

fish, bald eagles, special status species, bats, rattlesnakes; 

soils and vegetation impacts; exotic and invasive species 

including New Zealand mudsnail; aquatic resources; water 

quality; air quality; caves; minimum impact practices and river 

etiquette.

1. Develop an educational DVD and/or website available to all boaters

2. Include in orientation

3. Enhance educational contact of ranger 

patrols 

4. Include in operating requirements

Cultural Resource Topics

Educate people about

Minimum-impact practices to address cultural resource impacts for all users at all launch and exchange points including 

site visitation etiquette, appropriate behavior at sacred sites, 

laws protecting sites, and the vulnerability and cultural context 

of resources

l Items 1-4 

Tribal Topics

Educate people about tribal topics including

Tribal and agency boundaries and permitting processes; Lowimpact ethics, camping protocols, appropriate visitor behavior 

and Diamond Creek launch-ramp management; trespass, 

intentional resource damage, and disregard of tribal laws and 

regulations.

l Items 1-4 plus: Affiliated tribes will be invited to participate in educational material 

development related to tribal concerns. 

Every effort will be made to incorporate 

tribal perspectives into interpretive information, whether provided through the 

NPS or concessionaires.

Visitor Experience Topics

Educate people about

Campsite-capacity, and encourage small groups to use 

smaller beaches; river etiquette; old high-water zone sensitiveresource impacts; Park regulations and minimum-impact 

ethics; Environmental and rafting regulations; Potential 

conflicts between recreation users and researchers.

l Items 1-4 plus: Develop campsite atlas, 

include capacity and resource attributes

All Topics

Issues identified through resource monitoring l Adaptive management
1  Colorado River Management Pl

River Management 

Responsibilities

Introduction

As described below, NPS river operations and 

management responsibilities are shared by various NPS work units (divisions). 

The NPS has management responsibility for 277 

miles of the Colorado River corridor through 

Grand Canyon National Park from Lees Ferry 

(RM 0) to the Lake Mead NRA boundary (RM 

277). Although the Lees Ferry, Pearce Ferry and 

South Cove launch areas are not within the park, 

Grand Canyon National Park staff are stationed 

at these sites and coordinate river management 

activities with Glen Canyon NRA (Lees Ferry) 

and Lake Mead NRA (South Cove).

The NPS will work cooperatively with the 

Hualapai Tribe, Navajo Nation and Havasupai 

Tribe on issues concerning river management 

along the park’s respective boundaries. The NPS 

will work cooperatively with Hualapai Tribe especially in the Lower Gorge (See Lower Gorge 

section below). 

Resource Management

Grand Canyon National Park Science Center 

The Grand Canyon Science Center (Division of 

Resources Management and Research Coordination) has the primary responsibility for implementing research, inventory and monitoring and 

resource management programs for the river 

corridor. Science Center resource specialists will 

develop a scientifically-based Research, Monitoring and Mitigation Program that focuses on 

visitor-induced impacts within the river corridor.

These programs will be implemented in close coordination with other park divisions, tribes, federal agencies and other partners. In cooperation 

with park rangers, trail crew and other park staff, 

resource management specialists will design and 

implement projects to address resource concerns 

and impacts, including visitor impacts on vegetation, cultural resources, wildlife habitat, water 

quality and campsite condition. 

All research conducted along the river within 

the park is reviewed and authorized through 

the Science Center. This includes the long-term 

research and monitoring program undertaken 

through the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program primarily through the USGS 

Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center. Although the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive 

Management Program (GCD/AMP) focuses on 

impacts from Glen Canyon Dam operations, 

the NPS and involved agencies will coordinate 

research and monitoring projects. For example, 

the NPS and USGS will update the campsite inventory to reflect flow-induced effects (i.e., sedimentation depletion) and the effects of visitation 

at campsite and attraction sites. 

River Operations and Permits

The Division of Visitor and Resource Protection 

 River Ranger Activities

NPS river rangers are responsible for onriver operations that include safety and 

visitor education, law enforcement, concession-operation evaluations and support 

for maintenance, education, research and 

resource-management activities. River 

patrol frequency is based on seasonal recreational-use levels. Under this plan, recreational use increases in the spring, fall and 

winter months requiring year-round river 

patrol operations. Patrols will be conducted 

frequently from May through September 

and less frequently October through April, 

unless more frequent patrols are deemed 

necessary. Patrols conducted during summer months will focus on visitor education, 

concession-operation evaluations and support of resource-management activities. Patrols conducted during shoulder and winter 

months will focus on visitor education, 

resource management and maintenance 

activities. 

Lees Ferry Operations

Grand Canyon river operations at Lees Ferry are accomplished under a cooperative 

agreement with Glen Canyon NRA. Lees 

Ferry rangers oversee management of commercial and noncommercial river launches, 

visitor education, concession-operation 

evaluations and noncommercial river-trip 

orientations. The Lees Ferry ranger station 

will be operational year-round to accommodate the increased number of launches 

in spring and winter. This operation will 

be adequately staffed to manage river trip 

launch operations, disseminate requisite 

river-use information and educate visitors 

on Grand Canyon resources, current issues 

and other topics. 

Meadview/Lower Gorge Operations 

Grand Canyon National Park rangers stationed at Meadview are responsible for 

NPS river operations in the Lower Gorge 

(Diamond Creek to Lake Mead). Management responsibilities are discussed in the 

Lower Gorge Operations section below.

River Permits Program 

The Backcountry Information Center manages the noncommercial river permits system through the backcountry permit program. This office will track and document 

all river use, including commercial, noncommercial and administrative use through 

a centralized database. The new noncommercial permit system was described earlier 

in this document.

Social trail before (above) and after (below) 

rehabilitation
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Above: NPS archaeologists at work 

Below: NPS camp at South Canyon

Visitor Education

The Division of Interpretation and 

Resource Education 

Interpretive rangers and environmental education staff work with other park divisions, universities, nonprofit organizations and other groups 

to provide educational opportunities on the 

river, develop curricula and written interpretive 

materials and conduct service projects tied to 

Science Center projects along the river corridor. 

Interpretive staff members will provide interpretive training for river outfitters, guides, noncommercial boaters and other groups. This division 

will provide expertise for developing educational 

programs and materials for river users.

Trails and Facilities

Division of Maintenance and Facility 

Management

The park trail crew maintains all designated 

trails and routes including those accessible 

from the river to popular destination sites and 

rapid-scouting areas. Trail crew conducts routine 

maintenance and rehabilitation of established 

backcountry trails and routes, assists with restoration projects and maintains primitive toilets 

in backcountry areas. Trail crew will conduct 

river trips for trail maintenance projects in Zone 

1, Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek. Trail, campsite 

and/or facility maintenance in Lower Gorge will 

be conducted in cooperation with the Hualapai 

Tribe. 

Planning and Compliance

The Office of Planning and Compliance (OPAC)

OPAC provides leadership in developing interdisciplinary systems and processes for planning 

and project compliance to preserve and protect 

the park’s historical, natural and cultural resources and visitor experiences. In close cooperation with Science Center resource-program 

managers and staff from other park divisions, 

this office is responsible for developing management plans, including this CRMP.

Commercial Services

The Division of Concessions Management 

The Concessions Division manages concessions 

contracts for commercial river trips operating 

in the park. The division develops contracts, 

administers fees, oversees operations and 

sets rates for services provided under these 

contracts. River rangers will conduct on-river 

operational evaluations with oversight from 

concession management specialists. The 

Concessions Division also issues commercial 

use authorizations (CUAs) for river trip support 

services (e.g., equipment rental and shuttles). 
20 Colorado River Management Pla

South Cove river trip takeout and lake 

launch ramp on Lake Mead

Lower Gorge River Operations and 

Management (Diamond Creek to Lake Mead)

NPS river rangers, Science Center staff and trail 

crew will work in cooperation with the Hualapai 

Tribal resources and river operations department 

to implement management actions set forth in 

the CRMP ROD. These management activities 

are typically coordinated through the Lower 

Gorge river ranger located at the Meadview 

Ranger Station.

The NPS and the Hualapai Tribe will work cooperatively to implement the Research, Monitoring 

and Mitigation Program in Lower Gorge. The 

RM&MP identifies specific research needs that 

address visitor preferences and satisfaction with 

the recreational river activities in Zones 2 and 

3, as well as specific research needs that address 

natural and cultural resource conditions. 

NPS river patrol operations include visitor education, law enforcement, maintenance and resource-management activities. NPS river patrols 

will be conducted year-round due to the level 

and variety of Lower Gorge river-based recreation activities. Lower Gorge river patrols may 

be supplemented by patrols launching from Lees 

Ferry and continuing through Lower Gorge.

Table 10 summarizes CRMP implementation 

elements, designates the responsible office and 

timeframe.
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Implementation Elements Responsible Office Potential Partners Implementation Timeframe

Noncommercial Permit Waitlist 

Transition to Weighted Lottery 

System

River Permits Office Noncommercial river runner groups 2006

Weighted Lottery System River Permits Office Noncommercial groups,

Federal agencies

2006 & 2007

Review progress on ex-wait list 

members with extra chances

River Permits Office Noncommercial groups 2007 & ongoing

Commercial Operating 

Requirements and 

Noncommercial River 

Trip Regulations

River District

Concessions Management

Science Center

Guides, outfitters, noncommercial 

groups, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Arizona Game and Fish, 

GCMRC

2007, and updated through 

life of plan

Commercial River Contracts Concessions Management Washington Office NPS 2006 – 2007

Launch-based River 

Management System

River Permits Office, River 

District, Science Center, 

Concessions Management

Guides, outfitters, noncommercial 

groups

2007

Administrative Use Procedures River Protocols Team Researchers, educational 

institutions, GCMRC, and 

other partners

2006, and updated through

life of plan

Research, Monitoring and 

Mitigation Program

Science Center, 

River District, Trails, 

Environmental Education

Researchers, educational 

institutions, GCMRC, and 

other partners

2007, and updated through 

life of plan

Lower Gorge Camps and 

Facilities Upgrade

Hualapai Tribe, NPS 

OPAC

River District, Science Center, 

Trails

2007+

Lower Gorge Concession 

Contracts

Concessions Management Washington Office NPS 2007+

Table 10

Implementation Elements, Responsible Office and Timeframe

Passenger exchange at Whitmore, RM 
2  Colorado River Management Pl

Administrative River 

Use

Introduction

Administrative river trips are authorized at the 

discretion of the park superintendent. Administrative river use includes NPS-authorized trips 

that focus on resource management, scientific 

research, education, visitor protection, maintenance, and tribal issues. Administrative trip types 

are summarized in Table 11.

Administrative Trip Procedures

Administrative trips are subject to a review 

and screening process established by the NPS 

River Protocols Team (RPT). The RPT includes 

representatives from the Science Center, River 

District, Trail Crew and Environmental Education program. The RPT serves as the first-line 

review of administrative trip applications prior 

to consideration and/or approval by the superintendent. Additional administrative permits may 

be required and are discussed below. 

Minimum-Requirement Analysis

The administrative river-trip evaluation and approval process includes Minimum-Requirement 

Analysis (MRA). In accordance with NPS wilderness management policy, all parks with wilderness resources must evaluate administrative activity effects on wilderness values and character. 

The minimum-requirement analysis is applied as 

a two-step process that documents:

(1) A determination whether or not a proposed 

management action is appropriate or necessary 

for administration of the area as potential wilderness, and does not pose a significant impact 

to wilderness resources and character

(2) If the project is appropriate or necessary in 

potential wilderness, selection of the management method (tool) that causes the least amount 

of impact to physical resources and experiential 

qualities (character) of wilderness. 

The park’s Minimum-Requirement Analysis 

Form is included as Appendix F.

Administrative Trip Types and 

Procedures

NPS River Trips

NPS river trips must follow the Protocol For Administrative River Trips Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) developed by the RPT. The SOP is 

reviewed annually and updated as needed. The 

objectives of the administrative river trip review 

process are to 1) ensure that all administrativetrip requests follow the same procedure and 

receive equal and impartial review, 2) ensure all 

NPS work units, partners and agencies complete 

resource projects using approved NPS methods, 

and 3) minimize the number of trips and prevent 

duplication between NPS work units and/or other agencies or researchers. The SOP is included 

in Appendix G.

Scientific Research Trips

The superintendent approves all research in 

Grand Canyon National Park. Research projects 

must be approved prior to obtaining a river trip 

permit. The research-project review process 

typically requires 30 to 90 days, and includes 

evaluation of requested river and/or backcountry 

trips. Research projects are subject to minimumrequirement analysis to evaluate appropriateness 

of research activities and methods. The NPS 

RPT evaluates research-trip effects on recreational use, and works with the River Permits 

Office to minimize scheduling conflicts before 

forwarding the recommendation to the superintendent. NPS research guidelines may be found 

at http://science.nature.nps.gov/research. 

The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management 

Program 

The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management 

Program (GCD/AMP) directs long-term monitoring and research of Colorado River resources 

affected by dam operations. Involved agencies 

include the USGS, the NPS, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and 

the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGF). 

The Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research 

Center coordinates the majority of administrative trips for the GCD/AMP in cooperation with 

other agencies and individual researchers. The 

GCD/AMP long-term monitoring and research 

Tapeats 

Bighorn ram along the Colorado River
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Trail crew maintaining backcountry 

facilities accessed by river

Table 11

Administrative River-Trip Types

Trip Type Entity River Management Activities

Resource Management NPS GRCA

Science Center

Natural and Cultural Resource 

Management and Social Science 

Programs

Scientific research, wildlife monitoring, campsite inventory 

and monitoring, vegetation management including site 

rehabilitation and restoration, exotic plant removal, soundscape monitoring, water quality monitoring, archeological 

site monitoring and mitigation, consultations and monitoring 

with affiliated American Indian tribes

Visitor Protection NPS GRCA

Visitor and Resource Protection

River Patrols

Visitor education, commercial and noncommercial river trip 

evaluations; support of park resource management, education and maintenance activities

Maintenance NPS GRCA

Division of Maintenance

Trails and Facilities

Backcountry trail maintenance and management of primitive backcountry toilets and designated camp areas

Glen Canyon Dam 

Adaptive Management 

Program

•Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research 

 Center, USGS

•Bureau of Reclamation

•U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

•Arizona Department of Game and Fish 

Research and monitoring of resources affected by Glen 

Canyon Dam: river system sediment, endangered native 

fish, Kanab ambersnail population and habitat, nonnative 

fish management, terrestrial and aquatic resources, monitoring and mitigation of cultural and tribal resources 

Scientific Research Approved Researchers Various

Tribal Grand Canyon Affiliated Tribes Government-to-government consultations, resources monitoring

Partners and Volunteers NPS Solicited and Selected Resource stewardship and/or applied research projects 

that require river travel

Education Approved Accredited Education 

Institutions and Nonprofits

Educational focus on Grand Canyon. Resource stewardship projects that require river travel.
2  Colorado River Management Pl

Studying frogs in a tributary of the 

Colorado River in Grand Canyon

projects are subject to the NPS research project 

guidelines and permit requirements. The NPS 

coordinates scheduling of these river trips to be 

consistent with RPT guidelines and objectives. 

Tribal Trips

Tribal trips are conducted as part of government-to-government consultation and for tribal 

access to, and monitoring of, traditional cultural 

properties. Some tribal trips are conducted to 

monitor and address impacts of Glen Canyon 

Dam through the GCD/AMP. Tribal trips may or 

may not include NPS staff.

Educational Trips

Educational institutions and organizations participate in commercial and noncommercial river 

trips. Administrative permits for educational 

river trips will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

•River/backcountry educational trip opportunities will be available only to accredited educational institutions and non-profit organizations 

that serve and provide educational opportunities to high-school or older students. Opportunities will focus on educational values and 

learning activities available only at GRCA. 

•All river/backcountry educational trips must 

a) focus on the educational value of being at the 

park with activities that can only be conducted 

at GRCA, and b) have a service-project component. (The service component should be beneficial to both student and park and have educational value directly linked to the program’s 

focus. This differs from partnerships as the park 

seeks partnerships to assist with a project as the 

first priority. Educational trips are viable educational programs first with a secondary service 

component.)

The NPS Volunteers-InParks (VIP) program 

may also meet resource 

program needs. Individuals interested in 

volunteer opportunities 

should visit the websites 

at 

 

 

• All administrative trips are approved by the park superintendent. 

• The management action or activities conducted on river trips must be appropriate and necessary for the administration of 

Grand Canyon National Park, and must be consistent with law and policy. 

• Management actions and activities will be evaluated to ensure that methods and modes of transportation are the minimum 

required and cause the least impact to wilderness resources and values.

• Research projects must be approved prior to seeking river and/or backcountry permits. 

• Applicable tribal, backcountry or special-use permits must be obtained prior to seeking river trip approval. 

• Administrative trips may be scheduled up to one year in advance. Launch dates are selected in consideration of recreationaluse launch patterns, and are not included in the recreational use allocations. Administrative launches will be included on 

launch calendars available to the public.

• Administrative trips must adhere to standard operating requirements, and may be required to use secondary camps and restrict visitation to attraction sites depending on season and use levels.

• Protocols and procedures for educational, research, and partnership trips are reviewed annually.

For information on educational river/backcountry trips, consult approved Appendix G.

Partnership Program Trips

Partnerships accomplish projects within and 

beyond park boundaries. The NPS has a process for recruiting and selecting partners to accomplish resource stewardship and/or applied 

research projects that require river travel. The 

objectives ensure open and impartial selection, 

and foster a program that benefits the park. 

Educational trips, as described above, focus on 

educational opportunities with a service component as a secondary (but important) factor; administrative river-based partner programs focus 

on NPS resource management and/or research 

program needs as its first priority.

NPS resource-program managers identify an 

approved project and develop criteria for partner selection specific to program needs. The 

program manager establishes the group’s qualifications and/or abilities for conducting work. 

Project managers advertise their programs on the 

NPS and park partner website (www.nps.gov/

partnerships or www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/

partnerships/index.htm)) to facilitate a transparent and fair recruitment process.

Once the appropriate partner is selected, the 

project manager submits a river-trip application 

following the RPT process, and develops a written partnership agreement. This may be a formal 

cooperative agreement, task order or interagency 

agreement that outlines NPS and partner roles 

and responsibilities, and addresses liability 

issues.

Guidelines for Administrative River Trips

www.volunteer.gov/gov

www.nps.gov/volunteer

or 

www.gcvolunteers.org
 Grand Canyon National Park 
2  Colorado River Management Pl

Research, Monitoring 

and Mitigation 

Program

Introduction

To determine and address effects of the 2006 

CRMP recreational use limits and launch patterns on park resources, the NPS is developing 

a Research, Monitoring and Mitigation Program 

(RM&MP). Elements of the program are described below and include an overview of management settings, program objectives, conceptual 

models for evaluating recreational-use effects 

and the framework for monitoring and addressing these effects. The NPS, along with input from 

partner agencies and organizations, will develop 

and implement the RM&MP. 

The CRMP FEIS Biological Opinion identified 

conservation measures involving research to examine recreational-use effects on federally listed 

Threatened and Endangered species in specified 

locations. The NPS natural, cultural and visitor 

experience monitoring programs will be developed and implemented to determine condition 

trends of selected resources with focus on the 

effects of recreational use. The RM&MP and 

other implementation strategies will incorporate 

general mitigation measures prescribed by the 

CRMP ROD and priority mitigation actions required by law. Some mitigation measures reduce 

adverse effects on multiple resources and help 

ensure quality visitor experience. The primary 

implementation strategies will be outlined in 

resource monitoring and annual work plans developed by park staff. 

Colorado River Management Settings

The CRMP established the following management zones to represent the diversity of recreational settings and opportunities in different 

sections of the river from Lees Ferry to Lake 

Mead:

Zone 1 Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek 

(RM 0 to RM 226)

Primitive Setting

Zone 2 Diamond Creek to Quartermaster 

(RM 226 to RM 260)

Semi-Primitive Setting

Zone 3 Quartermaster to Park Boundary 

(RM 260 to RM 277)

Rural Natural Setting

The characteristics for these three Management 

Zones are primarily based on the Recreational 

Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) classification system (USDA FS 1986). Each management zone’s 

defining characteristics are described in three 

categories: social, resource and managerial settings (See Table 12). Social setting reflects the 

amount and type of contact between individuals or groups, and indicates opportunities for 

solitude, interactions with a few selected individuals, or large group interactions. Resource 

setting reflects natural and cultural environments 

encountered and impacted by the visitor including wildlife and federally listed Threatened or 

Endangered species, vegetation and soil types, 

archaeological sites and traditional cultural 

properties (TCPs). Managerial setting reflects 

the amount and kind of management practices, 

on-site regimentation and controls placed on 

people’s actions by the administering agency and 

the effects of those actions. 

Management zone descriptions include setting 

characteristics and desired resources conditions. This component of the framework guides 

development of monitoring plans by identifying 

acceptable and achievable resource conditions. 

A detailed description of setting characteristics 

will be included in the monitoring plans. Table 

12 summarizes setting characteristics and desired 

conditions for management zones established by 

this 2006 CRMP.

Tributary hiking

Grand Canyon wildflowers
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Zone 1

Primitive Setting

Zone 2

Semi-primitive Setting

Zone 3

Rural Natural Setting

Social 

Setting

High probability of isolation from sights 

and sounds of humans (except during 

summer months at activity nodes), independence, closeness to nature, tranquility, 

and self-reliance through application of 

outdoor skills in an environment that offers 

a high degree of challenge and risk. 

Encounters with other groups are infrequent, with the exception of Lees Ferry, 

Phantom Ranch, Whitmore, and Diamond 

Creek. 

Recreational activities include rafting, 

kayaking, camping and hiking. 

Opportunities for motorized and nonmotorized forms of recreation are possible, 

with motorized rafting and helicopter exchanges (Whitmore area) April 1 through 

September 15.

Moderate probability of isolation from 

sights and sounds of humans, independence, closeness to nature, tranquility, 

and self-reliance through application of 

outdoor skills in an environment that offers challenge and risk. Opportunity for a 

high degree of interaction with the natural 

environment. 

Concentration of user groups is generally 

low, with the exception of Diamond Creek 

and the approach of Quartermaster area. 

Recreational activities include rafting, 

kayaking, camping and hiking for continuation river trips and river trips beginning 

at Diamond Creek, and upriver travel 

from Lake Mead to Separation Canyon.

Opportunities for motorized and nonmotorized forms of recreation are possible, 

with motorized opportunities year-round. 

Probability for affiliation with individuals 

and groups is prevalent, as is opportunity 

to interact with the natural environment. 

Practice and testing of outdoor skills are 

of less importance, with the exception of 

overnight river trips, for which challenge 

and risk-taking are important elements. 

Concentration of user groups is generally 

moderate to high at Quartermaster area 

and Lake Mead, especially during summer months. 

Recreational activities include rafting, 

kayaking, jet boat pick-ups and tow-outs, 

upriver travel from Lake Mead to Separation Canyon, camping and hiking for continuation trips and river trips beginning at 

Diamond Creek. 

Opportunities for motorized and nonmotorized forms of recreation are possible, 

with motorized opportunities, pontoon 

and helicopter operations (at Quartermaster area) year-round.

Resource 

Setting

Characterized by a predominately natural 

environment, with the exception of the 

modified launch areas (Lees Ferry and 

Diamond Creek) and Phantom Ranch. 

Adverse effects from recreational use are 

typically localized at attraction and camp 

sites and can range from negligible to 

major. New CRMP prescriptions seek to 

minimize these effects by reducing crowding and congestion. 

Characterized by a natural to modified 

natural-appearing environment due to 

the influence of Lake Mead, the modified 

environment and higher use levels approaching the Quartermaster area. 

Adverse effects from recreational use are 

typically localized at attraction and camp 

sites and may spread into the desert 

scrub at low-to-high levels) and can range 

from negligible to major. CRMP prescriptions seek to minimize these effects by 

reducing crowding and congestion.

Camping beaches are limited in the first 

18 miles and below Separation Canyon.

Characterized by a modified natural-appearing environment due to the influence 

of Lake Mead, the modified environment 

and higher use levels at the Quartermaster area and Lake Mead. 

Adverse effects from recreational use 

are typically localized at attraction and 

camp sites and can range from negligible 

to major. Considerable impacts in desert 

scrub may be observed at particular 

camp and attraction sites. CRMP prescriptions seek to minimize these effects 

by reducing crowding and congestion.

Managerial 

Setting 

With the exception of Lees Ferry and 

Phantom Ranch, there are no visitor facilities in this primitive zone. 

NPS management activities include resource monitoring, research, and ranger 

patrols. Natural- and cultural-resource 

monitoring programs are conducted on a 

cyclic and seasonal basis.

With the exception of Diamond Creek and 

Spencer Canyon, there are no visitor facilities in this semi-primitive zone. 

NPS management activities are less frequent and include resource monitoring, 

research and ranger patrols. The Hualapai Tribe periodically conducts resource 

monitoring and other administrative activities in this zone. 

The Hualapai maintains rustic recreational facilities including shade structures 

and composting toilets at Quartermaster 

area for the safety and convenience of 

users. 

NPS management activities continue in 

this zone and ranger patrols are conducted routinely throughout the year due 

to higher use levels year-round. 

Table 12

Setting Characteristics for Colorado River Management Zones based on the ROS Classification System 
2  Colorado River Management Pl

How Do Colorado River Users 

Affect Grand Canyon Resources 

in the River Corridor?

(Stressor)

Research, Monitoring and Mitigation 

Program (RM&MP) Objectives

CRMP management objectives emphasize managing river recreation to minimize impacts to 

resources while providing a quality river visitor 

experience. To ensure these salient objectives 

are met, the NPS must determine, through a research, monitoring and mitigation program, what 

impacts are occurring, how these impacts alter 

resource condition, and how adverse impacts 

can be effectively mitigated. A detailed plan will 

be developed to include individual and integrated resource-monitoring components. The 

program framework is described in this section. 

RM&MP Objectives 

•Determine status and condition trends of 

selected resources

•Establish reference points and provide data to 

compare resource condition with unaltered 

environments

•Understand and identify meaningful resource 

condition change associated with river use

•Provide early warning of deteriorating resource 

conditions that trigger mitigation (management 

action toward restoration)

•In response to monitoring results, identify 

appropriate changes to management practices

•Assess efficacy of management and restoration 

techniques

•Develop most effective approach to impactedsite mitigation and restoration

Recreation Effects Conceptual Model

To understand river recreation effects on river 

corridor resources, it is helpful to visualize these 

interactions using a conceptual mode—a simplified visual representation of a working system. 

Figure 3 organizes information on the effects of 

river recreation on park resources and provides a 

model for the Research, Monitoring and Mitigation Program.

Figure 3 is a stressor model designed to describe 

relationships between stress sources, system 

components and effects. The objective is to identify system stressors, responses and attributes 

affected. In Figure 3, river use is the stressor 

and the attributes are the natural, cultural and 

visitor-experience resources. Some examples 

of river-use effects on these resources include: 

plants and soils damage, wildlife and cultural 

site disturbance, air and water quality degradation, archaeological and paleontological feature 

and artifact theft and attraction-site crowning 

and congestion. The NPS recognized potential 

adverse impacts in the 2005 CRMP FEIS, and 

committed to developing mitigation actions in 

the RM&MP to address these impacts.

Limits of Acceptable Change 

Framework

The Limits of Acceptable Change System (LAC) 

(Stankey, G. H., et. al. 1985) is a framework developed for managing recreation impacts in a backcountry and wilderness setting. This process has 

been successfully used in many backcountry areas including the Grand Canyon 1988 Backcountry Management Plan. The framework has been 

adapted to river recreation in Hells Canyon NRA 

on the Snake River (University of Idaho 1990) 

and in the Oregon State Parks on the Deschutes 

River (Shelby 1986). LAC was also adopted in the 

1989 CRMP, and guided the 2006 CRMP planning process and FEIS analysis. 

This framework’s premise is that recreational 

use changes resource conditions, and that there 

is some level beyond which this change is unacceptable and possibly detrimental. Figure 3 represents potential changes of resource conditions 

from recreational use. In LAC, the amount of 

change allowed to occur, without serious resource detriment, is defined by quantitative standards. The LAC process consists of four major 

Figure 3

Recreational Effects Conceptual Model

Equisetum 

Effects

Resource Damage

Disturbance

Resource Quality Degradation

Theft

Crowding and Congestion

Natural Resources

Soils

Water Quality

Air Quality

Cave and Paleontological

Natural Soundscape

Terrestrial Wildlife

Aquatic Resources

Vegetation

Special Status Species

Traditional Cultural Properties

Cultural Resources

Historic Sites

Prehistoric Sites

Traditional Cultural Properties

Visitor Experience

Recreation Quality

Range of Services

Wilderness Character
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Figure 4

Campsite Condition Monitoring, Conceptual Model

components: 1) specification of acceptable and 

achievable resource and social conditions (standards) defined by a series of measurable parameters (indicators), 2) analysis of the relationship 

between existing conditions and those judged 

acceptable, 3) identification of management actions necessary to achieve these conditions, and 

4) a program of monitoring and evaluation of 

management effectiveness. 

Figure 4 is an example of the first steps of the 

LAC process. The NPS and other agencies have 

monitored campsite condition since the 1970s. 

Figure 4 illustrates indicators used to quantify 

change in campsite condition over time. These 

indicators help NPS managers measure effects of 

river use (as described in Figure 3) on visitor experience, and natural and cultural resources. 

Using focused management questions and the 

conceptual models outlined above, indicators, 

standards and detailed data-collection methodologies will be developed. Table 13 is an example 

of a monitoring plan matrix that will be used to 

develop details of the Research, Monitoring and 

Mitigation Program. Non-renewable resources, 

such as archaeological sites and paleontological resources, will have a lower threshold of 

impact acceptability. For some resources, little 

information on recreation effects exists, so 

research studies will be designed to answer a 

question like, “How does river recreation affect 

this resource?” For resources which the park has 

extensive baseline data, the NPS may retain indicators and standards already established in previous studies. The NPS will explore approaches to 

integrating multiple resources to reduce cost and 

increase efficiency.

*Integrity is the ability of a historic property to convey its significance. To be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, a property must not only be shown 

to be significant under the National Register criteria, but must also have integrity. To retain historic integrity, a property will always possess several, if not most, 

of the seven aspects of integrity. The retention of specific aspects of integrity is paramount for a property to convey significance. The seven aspects are: location, 

design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association.

 

 Stressor Attribute

 Resource

 Effect Indicator
30 Colorado River Management Pla

Management

Question

FEIS 

Impact 

Rating

Indicator Standard Measurement

Method

How often?

What needed?

Location Action Plan

Mitigations

Natural 

Resource:

Do rock dams 

created by 

visitors in

tributary 

streams affect 

migrating fish 

and 

downstream 

flow?

Negligible to 

moderate, 

localized, 

short-long 

term, adverse 

Presence 

of dams or 

rock piles in 

streams

Number of 

stranded 

fish

Zero Presence or 

absence 

whenever NPS 

employees visit 

an aquatic 

attraction site

Visual counts 

of number of 

stranded fish

Continuously 

throughout the 

high-use 

season

Various 

aquatic 

attraction 

sites

NPS will 

break down 

humanmade 

stream 

impediments 

and scatter 

the rocks

Visitor 

Education

Visitor 

Experience: 

How do new 

management 

prescriptions 

affect 

encounters 

at attraction 

sites?

Localized, 

adverse, 

short-long 

term, 

negligible, 

but minor in 

the first two 

weeks of 

Sept.

Number and 

location of 

attraction 

site 

encounters

Visitor 

satisfaction 

levels

100 

people or 

less a day

75% 

visitor 

satisfaction

River trip logs 

(commercial 

and 

noncommercial)

Stratified 

random 

sampling of 

river users using 

Hall and Shelby 

methods

Post river trip 

mail-in surveys

Random 

sampling per 

season for 

three years

Periodic 

random 

sampling per 

season 

thereafter

Popular 

attraction 

sites including 

Redwall 

Cavern, Little 

Colorado 

River, 

Elves Chasm, 

Deer Creek, 

Havasu, 

Travertine 

Falls, Bridge 

Canyon, 

Spencer 

Canyon

Restrict/limit 

time spent at 

sites and the 

number of 

trips at one 

time allowed 

to visit. Limit 

visits to one 

to three 

hours

Cultural 

Resources: 

How does 

visitation 

affect historic 

properties?

Adverse, 

localized, 

long-term, 

year-round, 

minor to 

moderate

Changes to 

site 

condition 

and integrity

Threat to 

or loss of 

integrity 

resulting 

in a 

disturbance 

level of 

moderate 

or higher

Size/type/ 

density of 

artifacts

Level/type of 

use

Structural 

integrity and 

fabric

Number of 

collection piles

Inappropriate 

deposits

Number, depth, 

and width of

social trails

Barren core 

areas and compaction

ARPA violations

Evidence of 

breach of trail 

obliteration or 

re-trailing

Seasonal (highand low-use 

times)

Consistent six 

months-fiveyear sitespecific 

schedule

All sites. 

Sample high 

and low visitation sites that 

are attraction, 

ancillary, and 

non-visited 

categories in 

corridor and 

side canyon 

areas

Baseline 

data 

collection

Education

Increased 

monitoring

Data 

recovery

Site 

restrictions

Stabilization

Re-trailing

Revegetation

Law 

Enforcement 

Patrols

Table 13

Example of Monitoring Plan Matrix 
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Adaptive Management

Adaptive management provides systematic feedback to park management and allows activity 

adjustment to mitigate unplanned or undesirable 

plan implementation outcomes. Adaptive management allows resource managers to change 

management prescriptions and mitigation actions as conditions arise, based on scientific 

monitoring results. 

The adaptive management process is an integral 

component of the LAC process and is illustrated 

in Figure 5. 

The ultimate goal is that a resource condition 

meets standards established by resource managers, and that the trend is stable or improving. 

When a resource condition meets the standard, 

but the overall trend is declining, resource managers will identify why conditions are declining, 

initiate management actions that are non-restrictive to users and increase monitoring frequency. 

Non-restrictive management actions may include 

education and site restoration. When resource 

conditions do not meet the standard, resource 

managers will identify why the standard is not 

being met, implement management actions 

including actions restrictive to users that will 

correct the situation and increase monitoring 

frequency. Restrictive management actions may 

include seasonal site restrictions or closures. 

An example of how the adaptive management 

process would work might be:

Figure 5

Adaptive Management Concept 

105 Mile Camp

Goal

Conditions meet the standard but the 

trend is declining. 

Mgt. Response: Identify why 

conditions are declining and initiate 

management actions identified as 

non-restrictive. Increase monitoring 

frequency. 

Conditions meet the 

standard and the trend is 

stable or improving. 

Mgt. Response: Continue 

current management and 

continue monitoring. 

Conditions do not meet the 

standard. 

Mgt. Response: Identify why 

the standard is not being met 

and implement management 

actions (including restrictive 

actions) that will correct the 

situation. Increase monitoring 

frequency. 

Limits of 

Acceptable 

Change

Created by Lori Crystal
3  Colorado River Management Pl

LAC Indica

Number of trails from mooring site through 

campsite to old high-water zone

LAC Standa

In Zone 1, no more than one trail from mooring 

site through campsite to old high-water zone

Monitoring R

At Zone 1 campsite, five trails lead from mooring 

site through campsite to old high-water zone 

Management Action, Nonrestrict

Delineate trail, rehab others, educate users 

Monitoring R

Trend continues to decline

Management Action, Restrict

Limit group size

Monitoring R

Trend continues to decline

Management Action, More Restrict

Close site

Monitoring R

Trend improves

Management Acti

Re-open site to limited use

The NPS will strive to implement the least 

restrictive management action. Based on past 

monitoring results and declining resource conditions, the NPS has implemented closures and restrictions to protect sensitive resources. The following section describes additional management 

actions required to mitigate effects of increased 

year-round recreational use. 

Mitigation Actions and Legal Obligations

The RM&MP and other implementation strategies will incorporate general mitigation measures 

prescribed by the CRMP ROD and priority 

mitigation actions required by law. The general 

mitigation measures and key management strategies involve increased NPS presence to ensure 

resource protection, enhanced educational programs, an inventory, monitoring and research 

program, and cyclic resource management of 

camps, attraction sites and trails (e.g. site-specific restoration, invasive plan management and 

trail maintenance). The NPS is required by law 

to work in cooperation with other agencies and 

American Indian tribes to develop mitigation 

actions reducing adverse recreational impacts to 

specific natural and cultural resources described 

below and in the CRMP ROD.

Natural Resources

USFWS Biological Opinion

As a result of section 7 consultation with the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service per the Endangered 

Species Act of 1973, as amended, the CRMP Biological Opinion outlined specific conservation 

measures and reasonable and prudent measures 

to be implemented by NPS to mitigate adverse 

impacts to federally listed species found in the 

river corridor (see Appendix A, ROD Attachment A). 

The NPS will implement seasonal restrictions 

to protect humpback chub and humpback chub 

habitat in the Little Colorado River, and Kanab 

ambersnail habitat at upper Elves Chasm. These 

actions are implemented through the Commercial Operating Requirements and Noncommercial River Trip Regulations. The NPS will also 

conduct research to determine recreational-activity impacts on the humpback chub in the Little 

Colorado River and on the Kanab ambersnail 

Ready to launch, Colorado River
 Grand Canyon National Park 

at Vaseys Paradise. The Biological Opinion also 

prescribes conservation measures for the bald 

eagle, California condor, Mexican spotted owl, 

Southwestern willow flycatcher and other federally listed species. These conservation measures 

will be incorporated into the Research, Monitoring and Mitigation Program.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

Water Quality

The EPA has encouraged the NPS to cooperate 

with the Hualapai Tribe to develop and implement best management practices to prevent oil 

spills and waste discharges associated with Lower Gorge recreational activities. NPS will work 

with the Hualapai Tribe, state and other partners 

to obtain baseline and periodic water-quality 

monitoring information so that activities affecting water quality can be adaptively managed. 

Cultural Resources

Programmatic Agreement

In accordance with section 106 of the Historic 

Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, a Programmatic Agreement among the National Park 

Service, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Arizona State Historic Preservation 

Office, Hualapai Tribe and Navajo Nation was 

developed to address cultural resource impacts. 

(Appendix H). The NPS will develop an ongoing 

CRMP historic property monitoring and management program (CRMP Historic Property Program) to assess impacts to site condition and integrity from visitor use within the area of potential effect (APE) and determine and implement 

treatments to avoid, minimize or mitigate these 

effects. This CRMP Historic Property Program 

will be developed and implemented in consultation with all signatories and concurring parties 

to the programmatic agreement, as appropriate, 

and will provide a link to the ongoing Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. 

Launch day, Lees Ferry
3  Colorado River Management Pl

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

APE Area of Potential Effect

AZGF Arizona Game and Fish Department

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CRMP Colorado River Management Plan

CRMP FEIS Colorado River Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement

CRMP ROD Colorado River Management Plan Record of Decision

CUA Commercial Use Authorization

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement

GCD/AMP Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program

GCMRC Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center

GRCA Grand Canyon National Park

LAC Limits of Acceptable Change

LCR Little Colorado River

MRA Minimum-Requirement Analysis

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NPS National Park Service

NRA National Recreation Area

OPAC Office of Planning and Compliance

PAOT People at One Time

PATL Potential Alternate Trip Leaders

RM&MP Research, Monitoring and Mitigation Program

RM River Mile

ROD Record of Decision

ROS Recreational Opportunity Spectrum

RPT River Protocols Team

SOP Standard Operating Procedure

TAOT Trips at One Time

USC U.S. Code

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

VIP Volunteer-in-Park Program

Appendices

Appendices to this document are found in a separate file at www.nps.gov/grca

A CRMP Record of Decision

B Sample Recreational Launch Calendar

C Commercial Operating Requirements (All Zones)

D Noncommercial River-Trip Regulations (All Zones)

E Lower Gorge Commercial Operating Requirements (Zones 2 and 3)

F Minimum-Requirement Analysis Form

G Protocol for Administrative River Trips Standard Operating Procedures

H Programmatic Agreement

Top: The Ross Wheller

Middle: Dory View

Botton: Ready for Horn Rapid
 Grand Canyon National Park 

Preparers, 2006 Colorado River Management Plan

Linda Jalbert

Planner/Wilderness Coordinator Science Center

Lenore Grover-Bullington

Natural Resource Specialist Science Center

Lori Crystal

Outdoor Recreation Planner Office of Planning and Compliance

Rick Ernenwein

Planner/Compliance Specialist Office of Planning and Compliance

J. Grace Ellis

Cultural Resource Specialist Office of Planning and Compliance

Steve Sullivan

River Permits Program Manager Division of Visitor and Resource Protection

Greer Chesher

Writer/Editor Office of Planning and Compliance

Katherine Watters

Artist Science Center

Grand Canyon National Park

P.O. Box 129

Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023

References

Shelby, B., and T.A. Heberlein. 1986. Social Carrying Capacity in Recreation Settings. Corvallis, OR: 

Oregon State University Press.

Stankey, George H.; D.N. Cole; R.C. Lucas; M.E. Petersen; S.S. Frissell. 1985 The Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) System for Wilderness Planning. General Technical Report INT - 176. U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 

Ogden, UT.

University of Idaho, College of Forestry. 1990. Hells Canyon River Planning Update. University of 

Idaho Newsletter. 5p.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U. S. Forest Service. 1986. ROS Users Guide. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 60p.
3  Colorado River Management Plan E X P E R I E N C  Y O U  A M E R I C

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Grand Canyon National Park

P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023