Table Of ContentI 29,79/3: P 44/2
Final
General Management Plan Development Concept Plan
/
Environmental Impact Statement
FEDERAL
PUBLICATION
PETROGLYPH
National Monument New Mexico
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AerialphotoofRinconadaCanyonandMesaPrietawithvolcanoesandMt.Taylorinthe
backgroundbyLeeB. MorganofEagle'sEyePhotoSpecialists(reprintedbypermission).
Printed on recycled paper
FINAL
GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT
Bernalillo County, New Mexico
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service
in cooperation with
City of Albuquerque • State of New Mexico • Federal Aviation Administration
Fouralternativesforfuturemanagementanduseofthenewlyestablished PetroglyphNationalMonumentareanalyzed inthis
document.Developmentactionsunderallalternativesarebasedonestablishinga strongmanagingagencypresencetopreserve
the resources. The overall approach of alternative 1, the proposed action and preferred alternative, is to provide diverse
opportunities for visitors of different ages and abilities to see petroglyphs within the context of the escarpment, mesa top,
volcanoes, RioGrande valley, and Sandia Mountains. Visitors would bedirected toa visitor center/heritage education center
at Boca Negra Canyon. Horsebackand bicycle riding would be permitted on selected designated mesa-top trailsand at three
crossing points. No horses or bicycles would be allowed in petroglyph viewing areas or archeological sites anywhere in the
monument.Mesa-topresourcesand visitorexperienceswouldbemonitoredtoidentifyadverseimpacts.Impactsonnaturaland
cultural resources,theregional economy,visitors,and valuesheldby culturallyaffiliated groupswouldbeminimalor, in some
cases,beneficial. Mitigating measures would bedeveloped toavoid significantadverseeffectsontheferruginoushawk, which
isbeing consideredforlistingby theU.S. Fishand WildlifeServiceasa threatened species,and forthetworarecactusspecies.
The overall approach ofalternative 2 is to preserve the greatest portion of the monument and adjacent lands in as natural a
condition as possible with the fewest intrusions from development and fewer opportunities for easy public access and use.
Visitorswouldbedirectedtoa visitorcenterinLavaShadowswheretheywouldhaveaccesstoselectedpetroglyphs. Aheritage
education centerwould bebuiltatBoca Negra Canyon. Visitors would have moreopportunitiestosee thepetroglyphs witha
greater sense of solitude than in alternative 1. More areas of the monument would be reserved for research, traditional and
cultural use, and occasional guided tours than in theotheralternatives. Horseand bicycle use would notbepermitted in this
alternative exceptattwo escarpment crossings. Overall, adverseimpactson culturaland natural resourcesand valuesheld by
culturally affiliated groups would be similar toand in somecases slightly less under thisalternative than alternative 1. As in
alternative1,mitigationmeasureswouldavoidsignificantimpactsontheferruginoushawk,whichisbeingconsideredforlisting
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species, and for the two rare cactus species. The overall approach of
alternative3isthatvisitorswouldhaveeasyaccesstothemesa-topviewsandthevolcanoesaswellaspetroglyphconcentrations
below theescarpment. Visitorswouldbedirected toa visitor/heritageeducationcenter inRinconada Canyon. Fromthevisitor
center many visitorswould drivetoa new 10-mile mesa-top loop road that would provide easy accessto themesa-top views
and thevolcanoes. Parkingandtrailswouldbedevelopedatthevolcanoesand geologicwindowsareas. Horseandbicycleuse
wouldbeprovidedatthreeescarpmentcrossings.Developingthemesa-toproadwouldadverselyimpacttheculturallandscape,
whichhassignificancefortraditionaland culturalactivities.Therewouldbeadverseimpactson naturaldrainagepatternsand
on visitors and residents from increased noise levels. This alternative would directly impact more archeological sites, would
result in more negative cumulative impacts on cultural resources and values held by culturally affiliated groups, and would
require more costly programs to mitigate than the otheralternatives. The ferruginous hawk, being considered for listing, and
for the two rare cactus species would be significantly adversely impacted under this alternative. Adverse impacts on scenic
resourceswouldalsobegreatestunderthisalternative.Alternative4,ano-actionalternative,describesthecondition—sthatwould
existatthemonumentwithoutachangeincurrentmanagementdirectionoranapprovedgeneralmanagementplan providing
a baselineforevaluatingthechangesandimpactsthatwouldoccurunderthethreeactionalternatives.Therewouldbeparking
areasandminortrailimprovementsinsomeareas.Therewouldbenonewvisitorcenter.Thisalternativewouldhavethefewest
facilities. Horseback and bicycle riding would be permitted within the monument only where currently allowed. The interim
visitor center at Las Imagines would become the primary visitor center, accommodating only a limited number of visitors.
Archeologicalsites,petroglyphs,andtheculturallandscapewouldcontinuetobeadverselyimpactedbyvandalism.Therewould
benosignificantadverseimpactsontheferruginoushawkorthetworarecactusspecies. Mostofthemonument'snaturalscenic
qualities would notbe disturbed by developing new facilities.
Questionsabout thisdocument should beaddressed to
Superintendent, PetroglyphNational Monument
NW
6001 UnserBoulevard
NM
Albuquerque, 87120 (505) 899-0205
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation
http://archive.org/details/finalgeneralmanaOOpetro
SUMMARY
Petroglyph National Monument is the first "Environmental Consequences" section of
national park system area specifically the document. Many resource management
established to protect and interpret petro- actions, including cultural landscape and
glyphs and their setting for the benefit and archeological site values, natural resources,
enjoyment of present and future genera- and various other aspects of monument
tions. This Final General Management Plan / management, are common to all four alter-
Development Concept Plan / Environmental natives and are described in the "Actions
Impact Statement for the newly established Common to All Alternatives" section. The
monument sets forth the basic manage- alternatives describe different visitor
ment philosophy of the monument to pre- experiences and different kinds and loca-
serve and protect monument resources and tions for facilities under this common
provide for visitor use. The monument resource management approach. The fol-
would be managed to preserve the cultural lowing section describes the most
and natural resources for the benefit and significant of these common actions.
enjoyment of current and future genera-
tions. Federal laws that are generally
applicable to units of the national park SUMMARY OF ACTIONS
system also apply to the monument. COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVES
This document addresses the issues and Partnership, Jurisdiction, Responsibilities
concerns that were identified in meetings
with concerned agencies, organizations, As a unit of the national park system, the
and individuals. The issues and concerns National Park Service would have overall
include partnership responsibilities, responsibility for managing the monument.
cultural and natural resource protection, The National Park Service would have
the protection of the traditional and operational responsibility for the Atrisco
cultural sites and values of the American unit. The city would have operational
Indian community, the documentation of responsibility for the Boca Negra and
traditional uses and the appropriate Piedras Marcadas units. The Park Service
responses to the concerns of the heirs of and the city Open Space Division would
the Atrisco land grant, as well as issues work with city and county Land Use
concerning interpretation, education, Planning and Permitting Divisions to
visitor circulation and access, public use of ensure the coordination of review for
the monument, neighborhood interests, developing adjacent lands.
stormwater drainage and utility rights-of-
way, and boundary adjustments. In
addition, several issues were raised that Cultural and Natural
were beyond the scope of this plan. Resource Management
This document presents four alternatives, Cultural resources would be managed by
including a preferred alternative and implementing various policies, programs,
proposed action, for the development, and strategies, including education, con-
resource management, and visitor use of tinuing scientific study, inventory, evalu-
the monument. The impacts of implemen- ation, and consultation with American
ting the proposed action and the other Indian groups and Atrisco land grant
three alternatives are addressed in the heirs.
Ill
SUMMARY
Cultural resource management is com- properly guide visitors and protect
prised of several components including (1) resources would be allowed. Sensitive
inventorying, evaluating, and monitoring, design of new visitor facilities in
(2) direct preservation, protection, mainte- petroglyph viewing areas would be of vital
nance, and stabilization actions, (3) pro- importance to prevent adverse impacts.
tecting the cultural landscape, (4) research, Visitors would be required to stay on
(5) directing visitor use/designing and trails. Facility design would reflect cultural
locating facilities, (6) law enforcement, and and natural values of the monument and
(7) educational and interpretive programs have a common theme. Wherever possible,
(including the heritage education pro- new roads and trails would follow existing
gram). The petroglyph research center/ routes to preserve the cultural landscape
function would be an integral part of and prevent new disturbance of archeo-
managing the cultural resources. logical and natural resources.
Cultural resources would be managed to
provide the greatest degree of protection Law Enforcement
and preservation and to make all possible
efforts to ensure that archeological Law enforcement would be used to ensure
resources would not be disturbed or compliance with monument regulations.
removed. No petroglyphs would be Rangers would actively patrol the monu-
relocated or repositioned. ment, with special attention to petroglyph
and archeological sites.
Natural resource management programs
and techniques would include (1) inven-
tory and research (2) mitigation, (3) American Indian Relationships,
monitoring, (4) protection (5) interpretation American Indian Religious Freedom
and education, (6) administration, and (7) Act, and Traditional Uses
appropriate design of trails and facilities.
All public lands within the monument
would be managed to comply with the
Directing Visitor Use / American Indian Religious Freedom Act
Designing and Locating Facilities and related NFS policies. In carrying out
this mandate, all monument programs
Visitors would be directed to sites and would reflect informed awareness, sensi-
areas that can best accommodate use and tivity, and serious concern for the tradi-
would be discouraged or prohibited from tional and cultural activities and values of
areas where use would adversely impact American Indians who have ancestral ties
or destroy sensitive natural or cultural to the monument. Monument managers
resources. New facilities would be would work with Pueblo groups to
designed and sited to minimize direct minimize interference with traditional and
impacts on petroglyphs and other poten- cultural activities, consistent with the
tially significant cultural and natural American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
resources.
The National Park Service would involve
Activities in petroglyph concentration American Indians in current and future
areas would be focused on opportunities interpretive programs. This involvement
for visitors to see the petroglyphs in their could range from developing the programs
context and within the cultural landscape. to reviewing materials to presenting
Only the development necessary to programs.
IV
Summary
Throughout and after the planning for this what there is to see and how to get there
management plan, the National Park as well as determining what visitors
Service and city representatives would should learn about the monument and
continue to consult with American Indian how—they would best learn that informa-
groups regarding visitor use, archeological tion through media such as an audio-
research, interpretive programs, and visual program, a wayside exhibit (an
resource management for the monument. outside interpretive panel), a self-guiding
brochure, a guided tour, or some other
means. Interpretation is also an important
Atrisco Land Grant Heirs means of protecting resources. The more
visitors know about how special the re-
The National Park Service would continue sources are, the more inclined they are to
to work and consult with the Atrisco land respect and take care of those resources.
grant heirs to determine and document the
nature and extent of any such traditional Under all alternatives, monument visitors
uses and how to maintain opportunities would be directed to the visitor center or
for such uses to continue. Consultation visitor contact facility to get basic orienta-
with Atrisco land grant heirs would help tion, interpretation, safety, and resource
avoid impacts on potential traditional use protection information before seeing the
sites, provide for the continuance of po- petroglyphs. Under all alternatives, visitors
tential traditional activities, and help would have diverse opportunities to see
develop culturally sensitive interpretive the petroglyphs and other monument
programs. resources.
Visitors could only see the petroglyphs by
Stormwater Management pedestrian trails, and not all petroglyphs
would be accessible to the public. Horses,
The National Park Service, the city, and bicycles, and dog walking would not be
the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo allowed near petroglyph viewing areas in
Flood Control Authority would continue to the canyons below the escarpment.
work together to study stormwater flows,
the characteristics of the drainage basins A major component of the interpretive
that affect the monument, and alternative message would be to convey present-day
management approaches to ensure that American Indians' connection to the petro-
stormwater coming into the monument glyphs and the landscape to visitors. This
would not derogate the values and message would include information that
purposes for which the monument was has been developed with the American
established. Indian community about past and present
cultures to give visitors enough informa-
tion and experience to appreciate and
Interpretation and respect the monument resources. Various
the Visitor Experience communication techniques would en-
courage maximum visitor cooperation in
Interpretation is an educational activity resource protection. Important messages,
that is designed to stimulate curiosity, including primary interpretive themes and
convey messages to the visiting public, resource protection concerns, would be
and help the public understand, enjoy, repeated/reinforced in several ways and at
appreciate, and protect the resources. several points during a visit. Heritage
Interpretation includes telling visitors
SUMMARY
education programs would be a top There would be a city-owned and city-
priority for the monument. managed visitor contact and heritage
education facility outside the monument
south of the Piedras Marcadas Pueblo ruin.
ALTERNATIVE 1 The National Park Service would cooperate
with the city and others in developing and
The overall approach of alternative 1, the operating the proposed facility or a facility
proposed action and National Park at some other location outside the
Service's preferred alternative, would be to monument.
provide various ways for visitors of
different ages and abilities to see and Petroglyph research functions would
appreciate many of the monument's signif- continue in existing structures. Other
icant resources. Resource preservation options would be considered if these
would be accomplished by establishing a facilities prove to be inadequate.
strong managing agency presence and
public education programs. A 10.5-acre boundary adjustment would be
made to include lands south of Boca Negra
Visitors would be directed to a visitor Canyon and north of Mojave (five lots on
center/heritage education center at Boca Mojave east of Unser Boulevard) to protect
Negra Canyon where they would have op- views from the visitor center, provide ad-
portunities to learn about the significance ditional lands for visitor service facilities,
of the monument resources and past cul- and prevent incompatible development
tures that have lived in the region and that would adversely affect visitor use.
easy access to many and varied petroglyph
viewing areas and other portions of the Most impacts on the cultural and natural
monument. This alternative focuses resources and other impact topics would
visitors on seeing the petroglyphs within be minimal or, in some cases, beneficial.
the context of the escarpment, mesa top, New structures would impact the cultural
volcanoes, Rio Grande valley, and the landscape. There could be adverse impacts
Sandia Mountains. The National Park on values held by culturally affiliated
Service and the city would work to de- groups from the intrusion of bicycles and
velop partnerships with other public horses into lands that are important to
institutions, private industry, and non- those groups. Mitigating measures would
profit organizations to assist in funding be developed to avoid significant adverse
and operating the center. impacts on the ferruginous hawk, which is
being considered for listing by the U.S.
Horseback and bicycle riding would only Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened
be permitted on designated mesa-top species. Without these mitigating
trails. No horseback or bicycle riding measures, the ferruginous hawk would be
would be permitted in petroglyph viewing significantly adversely affected. The
areas below the escarpment. There would destruction of potential habitat of two rare
be three escarpment crossings. Horse and cactus species could incrementally con-
bicycle use on the mesa top would require tribute to their overall decline.
permits. Mesa-top resources and visitor
experiences would be monitored to
identify adverse impacts and to identify ALTERNATIVE 2
needs for management actions.
The overall approach of alternative 2
would be to preserve the greatest portion
VI
Summary
of the monument and adjacent lands in as be established to protect about 475 acres
natural a condition as possible, with the west of the monument, east of the pro-
fewest intrusions from development and posed Unser Boulevard, and north of Boca
fewer opportunities for public access and Negra Canyon. Portions of this area would
use. Visitors would be directed to a visitor be managed and protected by nonfederal
center at Lava Shadows that would have methods for open space and recreational
the same programs as in the proposed uses, and other portions of the area could
action. Visitors would have access to take the form of a planned community.
selected petroglyphs in the Lava Shadows
area and would walk about a mile or drive Overall, impacts on cultural and natural
to other petroglyph concentrations. resources and values held by culturally
affiliated groups would be similar to and
A heritage education center would be built in some cases slightly more positive under
at Boca Negra Canyon. Because of the this alternative than alternative 1 because
more difficult access to Rinconada Canyon, there would be fewer facilities and these
fewer visitors would go there and there facilities would be in previously disturbed
would be more opportunities to see petro- areas. The impacts on the ferruginous
glyphs with a sense of solitude. The petro- hawk and the potential habitat of two rare
glyph research center would be offsite, and cactus species would be the same as in al-
a city-owned and city-managed visitor ternative 1 but less severe. As in alterna-
contact facility would be developed tive 1, mitigation measures would be
outside monument lands south of the required to avoid significant adverse
Piedras Marcadas Pueblo ruin. impacts.
The volcanoes area, along with the geo-
logic windows, would be reserved for ALTERNATIVE 3
research, American Indian traditional use,
and occasional guided tours. The overall approach of alternative 3
would be to provide the easiest and
Horse and bicycle use would not be greatest amount of access to areas with
permitted in this alternative except at two many petroglyphs and to the scenic mesa-
escarpment crossings. top vistas. Visitors would be directed to a
visitor center/heritage education center in
This alternative would include a 129-acre Rinconada Canyon where many petro-
boundary addition of the mesa-top lands glyphs could be seen without visual
between 81st Street and the monument intrusions from adjacent residential
boundary to provide for the improvement development.
of 81st Street and a new trailhead, parking,
and viewing and picnic area at the south Interpretive programs would include simi-
end of 81st Street. This land is part of the lar information as in the other alternatives
cultural landscape and a visual and physi- about the petroglyphs, their context, and
cal extension of monument and open space past cultures. There would be more
lands. This addition would provide sub- emphasis on the mesa-top scenic views
stantial opportunities for visitors to enjoy under this alternative. From the visitor
the views relatively unimpaired by center, many visitors would drive to a 10-
proposed development. mile, mesa-top loop road that would pro-
vide easy access to the mesa-top views and
Also under this alternative it is recom- the volcanoes.
mended that a private/public partnership
vu
SUMMARY
Parking and trails would be developed at from monument and adjacent develop-
the volcanoes and geologic windows areas. ment. Adverse impacts on the monument's
Horse and bicycle use would be provided scenic resources would also be greater
at three escarpment crossings. A new under this alternative.
petroglyph research center would be built
just north of Piedras Marcadas Canyon,
and there would be a city-owned and city- ALTERNATIVE 4
managed visitor contact facility outside
monument lands south of the Piedras Alternative 4, a "no-action" alternative,
Marcadas Pueblo ruin. describes the conditions that would exist at
the monument without a change in current
Developing the mesa-top road and facili- management direct—ion or an approved
ties in Rinconada Canyon would adversely management plan providing a baseline
impact the cultural landscape and its for evaluating the changes and impacts
significance to the Pueblo community This that would occur under the three action
alternative would negatively impact more alternatives. Under this alternative some
archeological sites, would result in more provisions w—ould be made for increases in
negative cumulative impacts on cultural visitor use e.g., parking areas and trails.
resources and values held by culturally A separate heritage education center
affiliated groups, and would require more would not be constructed; monument staff
costly programs to mitigate than the other would continue to give guided tours to
alternatives. Visitor facilities would pro- school groups and bring interpretive pro-
vide easy access to primary resources and grams to the classrooms. This alternative
allow all visitors to appreciate one of the would have the fewest facilities. Horseback
monument's outstanding petroglyph con- and bicycle riding would be permitted in
centrations in Rinconada Canyon. The the monument only where currently
facilities would also establish a greater allowed.
management presence and protection for
cultural resources; however, there could be The existing interim visitor center at Lava
negative impacts, including relic hunting Shadows would become the primary visi-
and vandalism, because of the easier tor center. Some modifications would be
access. made by the city at Boca Negra Canyon,
such as improved parking area and rest-
The ferruginous hawk would probably be rooms, trails, and shade structure. There
eliminated from the area as a breeding would be two new small parking areas,
species, and this would be a significant one each near Rinconada and Piedras
adverse impact. The development on Marcadas Canyons, and some improve-
potential habitat for the two rare cactus ments to existing trails in these canyons.
would be a significant adverse effect. Mesa Prieta would be accessible only by
Other wildlife populations would also pedestrian trails. The research center
decrease. functions would be carried out by existing
staff in existing facilities within the
With the construction of the mesa-top existing budget. The Piedras Marcadas
road, natural drainage patterns would be Pueblo ruin would be closed except for
disturbed and noise levels would be specially arranged tours.
greater than in the other alternatives.
Monument biodiversity would also be There would be adverse impacts on arch-
more adversely impacted under this alter- eological sites, petroglyphs, and the cul-
native because of species displacement tural landscape because of the resource
via
