BLM celebrates 20th anniversary of Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area designation
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MONTROSE, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the designation of Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (NCA) to honor the NCA’s positive impact on the local community and visitors. The NCA was established to protect its outstanding geologic, scenic, wilderness resources, as well as its diverse recreation opportunities.
“The Gunnison Gorge is one of the crown jewels of BLM’s National Conservation Lands and a tremendous asset to local residents and visitors alike,” said Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Manager Edd Franz. “Visitors can catch trout in a Gold Medal fishery along the Gunnison River, experience a hike in wilderness, or enjoy a trail ride on an off-highway-vehicle or mountain bike all in the same day.”
The BLM is partnering with Colorado Canyons Association to host several events in October to commemorate the 20-year anniversary. Event details are online at: http://ow.ly/fsLj50wqSdx.
The NCA encompasses 62,844 acres with a diverse landscape, ranging from adobe badlands to rugged slopes with a unique mix of lush river corridors contrasting with sandstone cliffs and high desert canyons. At the heart of the NCA is the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area, home to a stunning black granite and red sandstone canyon formed by the Gunnison River.
The NCA was designated through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Act of 1999 on October 21, 1999. In 2003, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Boundary Revision Act expanded the NCA from 57,725 acres to its current size.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.