Virgin River Management Plan Open for Public Comment

Date: July 29, 2013
Contact: Kezia Nielsen, 435-772-0211

Zion National Park, in coordination with the St. George Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has completed a draft Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for portions of the Virgin River in Washington County, Utah. The plan addresses management and protection of those river segments that were added to the National Wild and Scenic River System in 2009. The Wild and Scenic River designation includes segments of the Virgin River, La Verkin Creek, Taylor Creek, and North Creek (including some tributaries) in Zion National Park and adjacent BLM wilderness. The completed plan will provide a framework to guide future resource management and visitor use.

The public is invited to review and comment on the CMP/EA at this time. The document can be reviewed online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/zion. If any members of the public would like a CD or paper copy of the document, please send an email to kezia_nielsen@nps.gov. Comments on the CMP/EA may be posted online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/zion or mailed to: Zion National Park, Attn: Virgin River CMP/EA, Springdale, Utah 84767. Comments are most helpful if submitted by September 9, 2013.

The public is also invited to participate in open house sessions where park staff will be available to provide information on the proposed plan, answer questions, and take comments. All meetings begin at 6:00 P.M. The meeting dates and locations are as follows: Tuesday, August 20, 2013- Dixie Center, Entrada Room, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St. George, UT; Wednesday, August 21, 2013- Canyon Community Center, 126 Lion Blvd, Springdale, UT; and Thursday, August 22, 2013- University Park Marriott, Conner Room, 480 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT.

The park appreciates all public interest and feedback on Wild and Scenic Rivers and participation in the development of the Virgin River Comprehensive River Management Plan and Environmental Assessment.