GCNP: Lawsuit Settlement Summary and Goals

Lawsuit Settlement Summary and Terms

ACCOMPLISHMENTS - The settlement:

• Benefits the public by getting the agency's planning back on track quickly.
• Affirms the public's voice by law under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Allocates unused primary season commercial use days to the private boating community use in the secondary seasons through 2005.
• Promises citizens a new river management plan by the end of 2004.
• Ensures that controversial helicopter landings in the Canyon will be reassessed.
• Ensures a complete review of the impacts of motorized water craft.
• Protects our option to sue in the event the Park Service reneges on the agreement.
• Allows existing outfitter contracts to be extended for as long as three years while the new management policies are developed.
• Is not an admission of wrong-doing by the Park Service.

REQUIREMENTS - The settlement requires the Park Service to:

• Provide a no-motors river management alternative in the CRMP EIS.
• Fund and commence river management planning within four months.
• Reassess commercial and private boater use levels and allocation.
• Hold public river management meetings in at least four major cities.
• Assess the range of public services provided by concession outfitters.
• File a notice of intent to revise the Backcountry Management Plan including use in proposed wilderness areas.
• Pay plaintiffs' attorney fees.

OBJECTIVES - Lawsuit Objectives

• An order to restart the CRMP.
• An order to comply with applicable law: Organic Act, Wilderness Act, NPS Concessions Policy Act, Administrative Procedures Act, Management Polices, management plans, and Director's Orders.
• The reduction or elimination of non-conforming uses in potential or proposed Wilderness areas (motorized rafts, helicopter exchanges).
• The equitable reallocation of permits between the commercial and private sector and a mechanism for their distribution.
• Payment of attorney's fees.