1. Assessing Complex Issues of Resource Protection & Allocation. Weighing Science, Management, Politics, & Public Opinion. A Case Study on Wild and Scenic Rivers in Grand Canyon National Park. Cassie Thomas, WSR Specialist, NPS, Anchorage, AK Linda Jalbert, GRCA Wilderness Coordinator, NPS Grand Cyn, AZ Bill Hansen, Chief, Water Rights Branch, NPS, Ft. Collins, CO Joel Barnes, Professor, Env. Studies, Prescott College, Prsct, AZ 1

2. When assessing complex issues of resource protection & allocation, a central challenge is understanding & balancing science, management, policy & law, politics, & public opinion. 2 The issue of WSRs in Grand Canyon NP will serve as our case study. Agencies and stakeholders/ special interest groups contend with daunting amounts of information to meet this challenge.

3. Conservation science in GRCA (Joel) Wild & scenic river study process (Cassie) Resource management in GRCA (Linda) Western water Law and policy (Bill) 3 Consider the issue of WSRs in GRCA from 4 perspectives… What types of information typically informs complex issues of resource protection & allocation?

4. Conservation science in GRCA (Joel) 4

5. Geophysical geology, geomorphology, hydrology, soils Biological vegetation, wildlife, ecology Socio-cultural scenic/aesthetic, recreational, archeological, contemporary tribal nations, ethical Politico-economic gov’t. agencies & policy; public lands issues of resource management, conservation, preservation & restoration; economics & ethics Experiential academic institutions; educational & commercial tourism; private users Park management strategies that protect & preserve the hydroscape also serve to protect a broad spectrum of other park resources. Hydroscape Riparian areas & the hydroscape contribute unparalleled connectivity to the landscapes & ecosystems of aridland parks like Grand Canyon.

6. Grand Canyon’s Hydroscape/Landscape Dilemma If regional groundwater pumping occurs beyond GCNP boundaries, what can the park do to protect it’s surface waters? What are the best tools for protection? What’s the best strategy? www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/seepspringstudy.htm GCNP South Rim seeps & springs are especially vulnerable to the effects of regional groundwater pumping. Is it WSR designation? Barlow, P.M., and Leake, S.A., 2012, Streamflow depletion by wells—Understanding and managing the effects of groundwater pumping on streamflow: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1376, 84 p. Barnes, J. 2014

7. 7 The nuts & bolts of the wild & scenic river study process (Cassie)

8. WSRA Intent Complement national policy of dam and other construction Protect and enhance: Free-flowing condition Water quality ORVs Establish process to add rivers to National System 8 Virgin River (UT)

9. Study Authorities Section 5(a) – Congressionally-authorized studies Section 5(d)(1) – Studies concurrent with other federal planning BLM Resource Management Plans FWS Comprehensive Conservation Plans NPS General Management Plans USFS Forest Plans 9

10. Process Elements Eligibility Objective resource inventory Classification Objective land-use condition inventory Suitability Analysis of subjective factors Decision 10

11. Eligibility (Objective Resource Inventory) Free-flowing (Section 16(b)) Possessing one or more ORVs Directly river-related Unique, rare or exemplary at regional or national scale Based on professional judgment Lamprey River, NH Photo: Dick Lord 11

12. Suitability (Analysis of subjective factors) Basis for recommendation Answers 3 questions: Should WSR values be protected? Is WSR designation best method to protect? Commitment by nonfederal entities? Decision Chattooga (NC) 12

13. 13 Prioritizing Resource Management issues in GRCA (Linda)

14. 14 Grand Canyon National Park and Adjacent Lands

15. External Issues / Demands

17. 17 Internal Issues / Plans Glen Canyon Dam Operations  Long-Term Experimental Mgmt Plan Colorado River Management Plan Comprehensive Fish Management  Reintroduction of Endangered Species  Removal of Non-native Species 1996 2007

18. 18 Internal Issues / Plans Backcountry Management Plan  Wilderness Stewardship Bison Management Plan Air-Tour Management Plan Transcanyon Pipeline Replacement What about Wild & Scenic Rivers?

19. 19 Western water law, policy, and resource management (Bill)

20. 20 Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Advice?