Black Canyon National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Act of 1999
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 17, 1999
Black Canyon National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Act of 1999 - Establishes the Black Canyon National Park in Colorado. Terminates the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument and incorporates all land and interests therein as part of the Park. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to permit grazing within the Park if grazing is permitted on the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to prepare a grazing management plan to administer such grazing activities. (Sec. 5) Provides for: (1) additional land acquisition for the Park; (2) revision of the Park's boundary to include such land; (3) an official boundary survey of the Park by the Secretary; (4) hunting on privately owned land added to the Park, subject to limitations, conditions, or regulations prescribed by the Secretary; and (5) termination of such hunting on the date the Secretary acquires fee ownership of the privately owned land. (Sec. 6) Expands the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness to include a specified parcel of land to be administered as a component of the Park. (Sec. 7) Establishes the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area to be managed by the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. Withdraws all Federal land and interests within the Conservation Area from all forms of appropriations under the public land, mining, mineral and geothermal leasing laws. Requires the Secretary to permit hunting, trapping, and fishing within the Conservation Area, under certain conditions and with the exception of issuing regulations designating zones where and establishing periods when no hunting or trapping shall be permitted for reasons concerning public safety, administration, or public use and enjoyment. Sets forth provisions allowing the use of motorized vehicles in the Conservation Area. Requires the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan for the long-range protection and management of the Conservation Area and to transmit the plan to specified congressional committees. Allows revision of the Conservation Area's boundary following acquisition of land necessary to accomplish the purposes for which such Area was designated. (Sec. 8) Designates the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness, within the Conservation Area, as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. (Sec. 9) Withdraws certain land identified as tract B on the map entitled "Black Canyon National Park and Gunnison Gorge NCA - 1-22-99" from all forms of appropriations under the public land, mining, mineral and geothermal leasing laws. (Sec. 10) Provides that nothing in this Act shall: (1) constitute an express or implied reservation of water for any purpose; or (2) affect any private or U.S. water rights in existence before enactment of this Act. Requires any new water rights to be established in accordance with the procedural and substantive requirements of Colorado laws. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to study and report to Congress on land protection and open space within and adjacent to the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Provides for the acquisition of specified private land or interests in land to be added to the Recreation Area. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations.
Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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