BLM NSTC USGS Partnership


	Five project proposals were developed by the USGS to address priority science needs identified during the Science Needs Field Tour in August 2001. These proposals address some common issues, such as management of BLM Mancos shale landscapes, invasive weed management across National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) lands, the need for an integrated geologic inventory and map guide, visitor attitudes toward potential changes in how NLCS lands are managed, and fire risk and impact to cultural resources. All of these proposals have the potential to be applied successfully across other landscape areas having similar land use issues. They also have the potential to standardize procedures for similar problems existing across agency jurisdictions, such as noxious weeds. A brief description of the proposals follows. For complete information on individual proposals, click on the link to that specific proposal. Proposal 1: Developing Coordinated Science Activities in Support of Land Management in the Mancos Shale Badlands of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (NCA) This project will focus on developing best management practices for the marine shales in the Gunnison Gorge NCA. Work will include determining the impacts from assorted land management activities, assessing ecological requirements and restoration techniques for sustaining resource uses, as well as the development of educational materials. This work will be instrumental for extrapolation and transfer to other areas on the Colorado Plateau. Proposal 2: Ecological Inventory and Assessment and Integrated Weed Management for the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (NCA) and Wilderness This project will focus on developing an integrated invasive weed inventory and management plan for the Gunnison Gorge NCA to determine effective weed prevention and controls. Local staff will be trained in the methodologies. The findings will help provide information that is easily transferred to other NLCS offices, including Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Proposal 3: Creating an Integrated Geological Inventory and Guide for the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (NCA) This project will focus on creating an integrated geological inventory and guide for the Gunnison Gorge NCA. A digital, photographic inventory with written descriptions of geologic features will be made and put into a geographic information system (GIS). This product will meet the needs of the public and provide revenue through its sales. Proposal 4: Conducting a Study of Visitor Attitudes Towards Charging Fees at Selected Sites Within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (NCA) This project proposes to conduct a study of visitor attitudes concerning the charging of fees at selected areas of the McInnis Canyons NCA. The findings will be presented from the data analyzed from a visitor survey. Methodologies will be shared with other BLM offices and any other interested parties. Proposal 5: Analysis of Fire Risk with Emphasis on Preservation of Cultural Resources in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (NM) This project will focus on analyzing fire risk associated with cultural resources at the Canyons of the Ancients NM. After discussions between USGS and BLM, it was agreed that this proposal would be submitted to the Joint Fire Science Program RFP (www.nifc.gov/joint_fire_sci/jointfiresci.html). The final proposal was prepared and submitted in April 2002. Decisions on selected proposals are anticipated to be made in summer 2002.