BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
Attention Colorado and Utah Recreationists!
BLM INITIATES FIELDTRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR UNCOMPAHGRE OFFICE
The Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO) has kicked off a travel planning effort to amend the Uncompahgre Basin and their portion of the San Juan/San Miguel Resource Management Plans. A 45-day public scoping comment period is intended to provide information about the project and to gather input from the public in identifying issues and concerns to be considered during the environmental review process, which is anticipated to take about 18 months. Travel Management is becoming an important tool to public land managers as more people make public lands their destination of choice.
"The BLM will be working closely with interested publics throughout this planning process, with ample opportunities for everyone's involvement," Field Manager Barb Sharrow said. "It's important that we get the word out now that changes are necessary to protect resources that are seeing increased use."
The UFO proposes to change the existing "Open" designation to "Limited to Existing" for motorized and mechanized use within the entire field office, excluding the North Delta OHV Open Area as well as designated open areas within the planning boundary of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Additionally, a transportation system of designated roads and trails is being proposed within the Dry Creek area, which is defined by the USDA Forest Service boundary on the west, private land on the east, 25 Mesa Road on the north, and Dave Wood Road on the south. Travel planning in this area addresses all modes of travel including motorized, mechanized, equestrian and hiking routes. The entire planning area encompasses approximately 578,000 acres of BLM-administered public lands located in Delta, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Mesa, and Gunnison Counties.
"If we don't act now, the places we enjoy recreating in could be negatively impacted for decades to come," added Outdoor Recreation Planner Julie Stotler. "The public counts on BLM to protect their public lands for the use of future generations."
Three open houses are scheduled during the public scoping comment period:
Tuesday, March 27, 2007 3:00 - 8:00 pm
Hampton Inn
1980 North Townsend
Montrose, CO 81401
Thursday, March 29, 2007 3:00 - 8:00 pm
Delta-Montrose Technical College (VoTech)
1765 Hwy 50
Delta, CO 81416
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 3:00 - 8:00 pm
Community Center
Naturita, CO
The public may also submit written comments to:
BLM Uncompahgre Field Office, ATTN: Travel Management, 2465 S. Townsend Avenue, Montrose, Colorado 81401; by fax to (970) 240-5368; or by e-mail to cotmpufo|removethispart|@blm.gov.
Planning documents may be reviewed at the Uncompahgre Field Office or on-line at
www.co.blm.gov/ubra. For additional information, contact Outdoor Recreation Planner Julie Stotler at (970) 240-5310.
PLEASE, IF YOU RECREATE IN THIS AREA OF COLORADO, GET INVOLVED NOW!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your involvement,
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102
