United States. National Park Service.

The University of Northern Colorado, under contract to the National Park Service, conducted an archaeological survey of Ponderosa Campground, Curecanti National Recreation Area, on July 28, 2006. The survey was done as part of an archaeological inventory for a larger prescribed burn program under the National Wildlife-Urban Interface (WUI) Program. One small prehistoric site and four isolated finds, associated with ephemeral hunting-gathering activities...

The importance of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition relative to the natural processes and natural character of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) has become better understood over time, as scientific research and monitoring that began in the early 1980's have documented various changes to ecosystems in the park. These changes include forest and soil biogeochemical changes, enhanced microbial activity in soils, increased N in lakes and streams,...

There is an overarching concern about the long term trade offs between air quality protection and efforts to mitigate unwanted wildfire. The emissions from wildfire may exceed air quality standards to such a degree that it may be prudent to allow greater levels of burning now to prevent unmitigated wildfires in the future. Prescribed fire implementation needs to regard to issues, such as health risk, public safety, and ecosystem damage if prescribed...

The RMNP Initiative was formed to study and recommend action on air quality issues facing the park. Participants in the initiative include the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Air Pollution Control Division, U.S. EPA Region 8 Air Program, the Air Resources Division of the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

The Arkansas River, the lifeblood of southeast Colorado, starts high in the Sawatch Range, meandering through mountain valleys and thundering through steep-sided gorges before finally streaming across the southeast plains. Wildlife along the trail varies accordingly.