Table Of Contentf t tf &
Volume Two
SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY (SRS)
AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA)
This report has been prepared to provide Congress and the public information about
the resources in the Sand Creek Massacre study area, and how they relate to eriteria
for parklands applied by the professional staff of the National Park Service.
Publication and transmittal of this report, including any discussion of a preferred
courofs acteio n, should not be considered an endorsement or a commitment by the
National Park Service to seek or support either specific legislative authorization for
the project of appropriations for its implementation. Authorization and funding for
any new commitments by the National Park Service will have to be considered in light
of competing priorities for existing units of the National Park System and other
programs.
Sand Creek Massacre Project, Volume 2) Special Resource Study (SRS) and Environmental Aweswment
(LA) was prepared by the National Park Sern ice. Intermountain Region, as a result of Public Law 105
243 (The Sand Creck Massacre National Historic Site Study Act). For additional information, see the
first volume of this report Sand Creek Massacre Project, Volume 1) Site Location Studs
200) Denver National Park Service. Intermountain Region
The Sand Creek Massacre project was partially funded by grants from the \merican Battlefield
Protection Program.
Prepared by the National Park Service in consultation with the Cheyenne and
Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. the Northern
Arapaho Tribe. and the State of Colorado.
COVER PHOTON APTOS Sonal photagraptn tedian ( thief: arriving tm Deever for peace eegetiation. (Rid Wewrrrn Meters
Department Drenvet Publu Library group photegraph of participant: inthe (amp Weid peace nepetiatiom Med Werviern
History Department. Denver Publ Librery, and detail of The Sand (reek Uawvtee tcider paeinti.ng ty bage|)n Midegie s Sr
(Paghe Rete) Northern Arapaho Tribe large photagraph Sen(d re ek Mawacre historical marker tecated in Section 26
Teweship 17S Range 4610 overtocking « portion of the mawnecty vite ( oferade Meterwal Sortwty
Cover design ty Krtetin Cypher and tort Kimeer.
r
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Sand Creek Massacre Project
Volume 2
SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY(SRS)
AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMIENT (EA)
This isw heremy thougarhe tfinsal ly going to rest. This is
where my torment about how our relatives were treated is
fingoiang lto ble ayt re st.
Richard Little Bear, Sand Creek
Massacre Descendant, 1999
Sand Creek means a lot to people. It will never
Only the peoplwiell .
Laird Cometsevah, Sand Creek
Massacre Descendant, 2000
u D
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
National Significance
Suitability
beusibility
Summary of Management Alternatives
\liernative |
\liernative 2
\liernative 3
\liernatives Considered but Rejected
Iribally Preferred Alternatives
ssnCCnHWUyooHuNehen
CHAPTER 2: PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE SPECIAL RESOURCE
STUDY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Background, Purpose and Need
Issues
Resource Management
Information, Onentation, and Interpretation
ln! astructure
Special U ses
CHAPTER 3: CONSULTATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
liibal Consultation and Coordination
» ate Consultation and Coordination
ublec Involvement
vobal. State. and Public Information Scoping for the Development of
« Dratt Special Resource Study (SRS) and Environmental
sssessment (FA)
Public Comment Period on the Draft Special Resource Study (SRS) and 21
Environmental Assessment (EA)
CHAPTER 4; THE SAND CREEK MASSACRE 23
General Background 24
Cheyennes and Arapahos 26
Treaty of Fort Wise 27
Governor Evans, Colonel Chivington, and the Plains War of 1864 29
Peace Initiatives a
Military Preparations M
The Massacre At
Outery and Aftermath ab]
CHAPTER5 : CRITERIA FOR PARKLANDS BC 4
National Significance of the Sand Creek Massacre 41
Criteria for National Significance 44
Suitability of the Sand Creek Massacre Site 46
Criteria for Suitability 46
Feasibility of the Sand Creek Massacre Site 48
Criteria for Feasibility 48
Assessment of Management Options 48
CHAPTER 6: THE SAND CREEK MASSACRE STUDY AREA —_ 49
General Site Description 49
Location and Access 50
Cultural Resources §2
Historic Landscape §2
Post-Massacre Development §2
I thnographic Resources 54
Natural Resource Environment
Site Description
Water Quantity
Water Quality
Water Rights
Wetlands
Floodplain
Geology/Soils
Prime or Unique Agricultural Farmlands of State and Federal
Importance
Oil, Gas, and Other Subsurface Minerals
Utility Rights-of-Way
Vegetation
Wildlife
Threatened and Endangered Species
Hazardous Materials
Air Quality
Environmental Justice
Night Sky
Viewshed Analysis
CHAPTER 7: SOCIOKCONOMIC OVERVIEW OF THE SAND
CREEK MASSACRE AREA
Kiowa County 69
Ceography
Population Estimates
Anticipated Population Growth
Number of Housing Units
Per Capita Income
Services
/I
bducation
Occupations
Recreational Opportunities
Transportation
Industries
Utilities
Value of Agricultural Land
Visitation and Expenditures Forecasts
Average Length of Visitation
Average Daily Expenditures of Visitors
State and Local Sales Tax Rate in the Area
State and Local Income Tax Rate in the Area
CHAPTER 8: MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES
A Common Element: Interpreting the Significance of the Sand Creek
Massacre
Visitor Experiences Common to Alternatives 2 and 3
CHAPTER 9: ALTERNATIVE 1 - NO ACTION
Concept
Management
Visitor Experience
Resource Protection
Land Acquisition Costs
Development Costs
e22S ess 2F22322
Operations and Staffing Costs
iV ~~
Impacts of Alternative | 80
Land Use Impacts 80
Visitor Experience Impacts 80
Socioeconomic Environment Impacts 80)
Cultural Resource Impacts 80
Ethnographic Resource Impacts 81
Natural Resource Impacts 8]
CHAPTER 10: ALTERNATIVE 2 - SAND CREEK MASSACRE
MEMORIAL 85
EE e a re = - a a —
Concept
Management
Visitor Experience
Resource Protection
Land Acquisition Costs
Development Costs
Operations and Staffing Costs
Impacts of Alternative 2
Land Use Impacts
Visitor Experience Impacts
Socioeconomic Environment Impacts
Cultural Resource Impacts
FFKFSE F F SE sseseet
Ethnographic Resource Impacts
Natural Resource Impacts =
CHAPTER 11: ALTERNATIVE 3 - SAND CREEK MASSACRE
HISTORIC SITE 97
——
Concept 97
Management 97
Option |; National Historic Site with National! Park Service 97
Management and Tribal Ownership
Vil
Option 2; National Historic Site with National Park Service Ownership 99
and Management
Option 3; State Historic Site with State Ownership and Management 100
Visitor Experience 101
Resource Protection 102
Land Acquisition Costs 102
Development Costs 102
Operations and Staffing Costs 103
Impacts of Alternative 3 103
Land Use Impacts 103
Visitor Experience Impacts 103
Socioeconomic Environment Impacts 104
Cultural Resource Impacts 104
Ethnographic Resource Impacts 106
Natural Resource Impacts 106
CHAPTER 12: ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED 115
Reduced Area Sand Creek Massacre Memorial 115
Historic Site that Excluded Bowen Family Land 115
CHAPTER 13; PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE ALTERNATIVES | 117
Distribution of Information on the Management Alternatives 117
Press Release 117
Website 117
Public Comment Form 117
Mailings 118
Public Open Houses 118
Summary of Public Comments on the Management Alternatives 119
Most Preferred: Alternative 3 (Sand Creek Massacre Historic Site) 120
Comments on Management Options 121
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