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SALT LAKE CITY — The National Park Service has completed the draft of a comprehensive management plan for portions of the Virgin River and its tributaries, which were designated as "wild and scenic" by Congress back in 2009.
Open houses have been scheduled to detail the draft plan and the agency's preferred management approach, which puts protection of the river and its natural resources above its recreation value.
Kezia Nielsen, an environmental resource protection specialist with the National Park Service, said the plan does not propose any firm limitations on visitors either to Zion National Park or the backcountry, but adjustments could be made in the future.
"There could be a lot of things that happen, but they are not imminent," Nielsen said. "The whole purpose of this plan is to protect and enhance the values for which made them eligible for designation as wild and scenic rivers."
The plan details the water quality, wildlife, cultural resources and recreational values of the river segments and the impacts the three varying alternatives might have. The first approach would be to continue management of the corridor "as is"; the second alternative aims at balance between protection and visitor access; and the third is the most restrictive in that arena.
"Each of the river segments has a carrying capacity," she said, or the point at which protection of those values would be compromised.
Components of the management strategies — while aimed at protecting water quality and natural resources — contemplate the visitor experience and at what point that starts to degrade because of crowding.
If people feel too crowded, they step off the trail to create their own. They bring with them litter, and bathroom breaks often occur off the beaten path.
–Kezia Nielsen, Environmental Resource Protection Specialist
Zion National Park is the most frequented of Utah's five national parks and has seen its visitation steadily increase over the years. In 2012, nearly 3 million visited the park. While permits for both day and overnight use are required in the backcountry, no permits are issued for Zion Canyon.
With the implementation of a shuttle system in 2000, getting around the park is more convenient and parking can be less of a hassle. But the plan notes that the ability to move more people around more efficiently has resulted in some startling numbers. In a one-day period, the shuttle carried more than 19,000 people — eclipsing the number or ridership of most light-rail lines in the United States.
Nielsen said crowds can diminish the park experience for some.
Surveys done in 2002 found that 81 percent of people who came to the park rated the opportunity to find solitude as "very important."
"We think people should be able to experience the sights and sounds of nature while out on a National Park Service trail," she said. "If you hike two miles to a spot, you want to be able to enjoy it."
The park service will embark on new surveys and do visitor counts to augment the plan, gauging visitors' opinions over the park, crowding, visitor services, the river segments and trails.
Management of the trail system is an important component to protecting the river corridors because the potential degradation that comes with too many visitors, Nielsen said.
If people feel too crowded, they step off the trail to create their own. They bring with them litter, and bathroom breaks often occur off the beaten path.
The plan is available online, with comments being accepted through Sept. 9.
If people want a paper copy or CD of the plan, they can email Nielsen at kezia_nielsen@nps.gov/zion.
