Bryce Canyon National Park Paleontological Resource Management Plan

Tran, Tut; Bonham, Alexandra; Tweet, Justin; Santucci, Vincent

doi:10.36967/2317707

The recently completed Bryce Canyon National Park (BRCA) Paleontological Resource Inventory (PRI) documents the scope, significance, distribution, and management issues associated with BRCA’s fossil resources. A Paleontological Resource Management Plan (PRMP) has been prepared to complement the PRI and provide detailed recommendations for managing these resources at BRCA. This PRMP establishes goals and strategies for the comprehensive management of paleontological resources at BRCA. Objectives include informing decisions and implementing best practices for paleontological resource management; ensuring the highest protection and preservation of paleontological resources; supporting and overseeing research on these resources; and promoting public outreach and education. These objectives are intended to ensure compliance with laws and policies that promote scientific principles and resource management practices. This PRMP provides information and recommendations to address these objectives. The introduction describes the significance of BRCA’s paleontological resources and the recent history of research at the park. Legal and other relevant authorities governing paleontological resource management are included for reference. A brief geological history of BRCA and descriptions of fossiliferous rock units provide context for the fossils. Practices and recommendations are presented for inventory and monitoring. Twenty Paleontological Resource Management Areas (PRMAs) are proposed to streamline the inventory and monitoring process. Descriptions of these PRMAs and their fossils are provided, along with recommendations for fieldwork and research. The process of research permitting and practices for researchers are described. The state of collections and curation is discussed. Interpretation and education are tied into existing themes and venues, and opportunities for outreach are described. Finally, a series of overall recommendations are provided that consider the objectives. This PRMP should be used as the foundation of future, more specialized management plans or reports relating to paleontological resources at BRCA.

Bryce Canyon National Park Paleontological Resource Management Plan

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