Rocky Mountain National Park

National Park Service Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park Organic ActRocky Mountain National Park was created in 1915 when Congress stated:

“said area is dedicated and set apart as a public park for the benefit and enjoyment of people of the United States and with regulations being primarily aimed at the freest use of the said park for recreational purposes by the public and for the preservation of the natural conditions and scenic beauties thereof."

Rocky Mountain National Park

Legislative History

1915 Act that established Rocky Mountain National Park

1916 Organic Act establishing the National Park Service

1964 Wilderness Act leading to 1974 proposed wilderness and 2009 designated wilderness

1976 recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve

1977 Clean Air Act amendment. Class 1 air quality area (cleanest air designation)

Rocky Mountain National Park

N L

oad

(kg

/ h

a /y

r)-

wet

Changes in soil & water chemistry

Effects on aquatic animals (episodic acidification)

Lethal effects on fish, other aquatic animals (chronic acidification)

Natural background N deposition

Current N deposition in Rocky Mountain NP

Surface water N saturation

Rocky Mountain National Park: Continuum of Impacts to Ecological Health

Changes in tree chemistry

Change in alpine plant species

Change in aquatic plant species composition

Forest decline (acidification effects on trees)

“weight of evidence” of ecosystem health decline on east side of park0.2

kg/ha/yr

3.1 kg/ha/yr

1.5 kg/ha/yr

Rocky Mountain National Park: Continuum of Impacts to Ecological Health

Aquatic Ecosystem Critical Load

Changes in soil and tree chemistry

Change in aquatic plantspecies composition

Effects on fish, other aquatic animals (episodic acidification)

Lethal effects on fish, other aquatic animals (chronic acidification)

Thresholds of unnatural ecosystem change are defined for specific indicators and endpoints

Natural background N deposition

Change in alpine plant species

Current N deposition in RMNP

Surface water N saturation

Rocky Mountain National Park: Continuum of Impacts to Ecological Health

0.2

1.5

4.0

7.1

14.0 *Modeled projections at current rates of N deposition increase (2.5%/year)

(Galloway et al 1982; Galloway et al 1995; Hedin et al 1995; NPS 2002)

(Wolff et al 2003; Baron, Ecological Applications)

(Burns 2004; Baron and Campbell 1997; Campbell et al 2000)

(Rueth and Baron 2002)

(Bowman, Ecological Applications)

(Sullivan et al 2005; Hartman)

(Sullivan et al 2005; Hartman)

N L

oad

(kg/h

a/y

r)

Hin

dca

st~

19

50

Mo

de

l p

red

icts

b

y ye

ar

20

28

Mo

de

l p

red

icts

b

y ye

ar

20

88

* Hartman’s model runs used for time to acidification, Sullivan’s deposition load estimates very similar to Hartman’s but slightly higher

Changes in soil and tree chemistry

Change in aquatic plantspecies composition

Effects on fish, other aquatic animals (episodic acidification)

Lethal effects on fish, other aquatic animals (chronic acidification)

Thresholds of unnatural ecosystem change are defined for specific indicators and endpoints

Natural background N deposition

Change in alpine plant species

Current N deposition in RMNP

Surface water N saturation

Rocky Mountain National Park: Continuum of Impacts to Ecological Health

0.2

1.5

4.0

7.1

14.0 *Modeled projections at current rates of N deposition increase (2.5%/year)

(Galloway et al 1982; Galloway et al 1995; Hedin et al 1995; NPS 2002)

(Wolff et al 2003; Baron, Ecological Applications)

(Burns 2004; Baron and Campbell 1997; Campbell et al 2000)

(Rueth and Baron 2002)

(Bowman, Ecological Applications)

(Sullivan et al 2005; Hartman)

(Sullivan et al 2005; Hartman)

N L

oad

(kg/h

a/y

r)

Hin

dca

st~

19

50

Mo

de

l p

red

icts

b

y ye

ar

20

28

Mo

de

l p

red

icts

b

y ye

ar

20

88

* Hartman’s model runs used for time to acidification, Sullivan’s deposition load estimates very similar to Hartman’s but slightly higher

Rocky Mountain National Park

What is the park doing to reduce its own emissions?

Rocky Mountain National Park Energy Sustainability and Green House Gas Emissions

Climate Friendly Park with a commitment to reduce green house gas emissions by 17 percent below the 2005 level of 3,540 metric tons by 2017.

Using American Reinvestment Recovery Act is changing the park's fleet by replacing up to 57 of the parks 141 low efficiency park vehicles with higher efficiency vehicles.

Shuttle system was expansion in 2005 and again in 2008 to add/connect the Town of Estes Park to the park's "hiker shuttle" and the Alpine Visitor Center tour. Shuttle expansion reduced the vehicle miles travelled in the park.

In 2007 the RMNP Green Team was formed. The team provides an interdisciplinary approach to assist in implementing sustainable practices, promoting environmentally responsible behavior, and to help the park serve as a role model for environmental stewardship.

The park is working design and fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the park – in partnership with CSU and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

DoYourPartParks.org and messaging in various venues (including podcasts, park newspaper, and shuttle buses) continues to inform park visitors and staff about ways they can minimize impacts to their RMNP Climate Friendly Park.

RMNP partnership with Larimer County has converted the park's recycling system to single-stream recycling, allowing for more materials to be recycled.

Multiple efficiencies to park facilities including: tankless "on demand" hot water heaters, solar lighting tubes, energy efficient lighting, recycled asphalt used on park roads projects, energy efficient generators at Alpine Visitor Center, the Green Rehabilitation of the park's employee laundry facility.

Park Reduces Energy Consumption during 2009ELECTRICITY: During FY09, the park used 257,298 KWH less this year than in FY 08, a 10 percent reduction. NATURAL GAS: During FY09 the park used 4,729 therms less than in FY 08 a 5.6 percent reduction.