North Rim Landscape Area

Located in southwestern Colorado, the North Rim Landscape Strategy Area encompasses 345 square miles or approximately 220,000 acres. The Gunnison River, running through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area (NRA), and the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (GGNCA), serves as the southern and western boundary of the NRLS area. The northern boundary follows the Smith Fork drainage. The eastern boundary follows the West Elk Wilderness boundary and Curecanti Creek. The NRLS area is divided among three counties: Delta, Montrose, and Gunnison and is near the communities of Crawford, Hotchkiss, Montrose, Olathe, and Delta.

Land Status
Bureau of Land Management	44,136 acres
US Forest Service	70,617 acres
National Park Service (NPS) –Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park	18,160 acres
National Park Service (NPS) –Curecanti National Recreation Area	6,980 acres
Colorado State Lands	747 acres
Private Lands	79,444 acres

Current uses of the land

The North Rim landscape, like many areas in the western United States, is feeling the strain of sustaining varied multiple uses.   The area contains vital habitat for active Gunnison sage-grouse populations, abundant elk herds, and numerous other wildlife.  Public lands are used for cattle grazing, hunting and recreation. Recreational use in the area is increasing, creating more unauthorized roads and trails that fragment habitat.  The majority of the private land is populated at a low density and under agricultural production, but county and regional trends suggest the potential for increases in human development in the future.  As human activities increase, conflicts with wildlife may occur.  Specific threats to the area include a loss of important habitat; degradation of the natural vegetation; and increased fragmentation of habitat and natural processes, including fire, and soil erosion.  Recognizing the need for a coordinated landscape-scale vision for the area, the NRLS workgroup came together to formulate interagency and interdisciplinary strategies based on best available data, local knowledge, and workgroup members’ expertise.

Recreation

Recreation is the principal use of public lands in the NRLS area. In particular, the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, Gunnison Gorge Wilderness, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Black Canyon Wilderness Area are destinations for a variety of recreationists and are recognized for their outstanding scenic values and recreational opportunities, including Gold Medal trout fishery.

Current recreational uses include:

• Hunting
• Fishing
• Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use
• Bicycling
• Hiking
• Camping
• Scenic Driving/sightseeing
• Wildflower viewing
• Rafting and kayaking
• Rock Climbing
• Snowmobiling
• Shed antler collecting
• Bird watching
• Horseback riding
• Cross country skiing
• Shooting sports

Farming and Ranching

Farming and ranching are important industries on private lands in the NRLS area.  Crops include alfalfa, grass and small grains.  Cattle grazing occurs on BLM, NPS and USFS lands.  Sheep grazing also occurs on BLM lands.  On the BLM-managed lands, grazing occurs primarily on the Fruitland Mesa/Green Mountain Lands.

Development and Infrastructure

Private lands account for 79,444 acres within the NRLS area and are owned by over 700 landowners. The unincorporated community of Maher is located along Colorado Highway 92.