For Immediate Release June 14, 2004
Contact: Rich Rosene 970-724-3006

BLM to Present Draft Proposal for the Wolford Mountain Travel Plan

The Bureau of Land Management will sponsor its third workshop on Monday, June 21, 2004, concerning the travel management plan for over 42,000 acres in the Wolford Mountain area near Kremmling.  BLM has completed its Draft Proposed Alternative, which is aimed at meeting the needs of the recreating public by designating routes in the area for summer and winter travel, while protecting the area's natural and cultural resources.  This area is important for motorized and non-motorized recreation as well as for other uses that include livestock grazing, cultural resources, big game habitat, and sage grouse habitat.

The Draft Proposed Alternative has been developed by the BLM staff from the extensive route inventory that took place during the summers of 2002, 2003, and 2004, and from comments received from the public on the range of alternatives presented at the workshop in March, 2004.

BLM specialists will be available to discuss the resource issues that were raised during the scoping phase including wildlife, soils, riparian, cultural, noise, commercial uses, and recreation uses.  Information on the current BLM planning policy and process for area and route designations as open, closed, or limited will be available.  With recreational use of the public lands becoming more popular, and with the number of user created routes constantly increasing, travel management has become an important issue for all land management agencies, and the potential for negative impacts to the surrounding natural resources is real.

The BLM staff encourages area residents and interested parties to attend to view and discuss the Draft Proposed Alternative it has developed.  There will be a 30-day public comment period following the workshop for input and recommendations to the BLM staff.  Additional information on the routes and the recreation activities that occur in the area is needed to be sure all interests are considered.

The workshop will be from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Extension Hall at the Middle Park Fairgrounds in Kremmling, located three blocks south of Highway 40 on 11th Street.  The doors will open at 6:45 p.m. and introductory remarks will begin at 7:10 p.m.  BLM resource specialists will be available for the remaining time to discuss the alternatives and to provide forms for comments and suggestions for the development of the final travel plan.

For further information, contact Rich Rosene, Outdoor Recreation Specialist, at (970) 724-3006.

- BLM -