Public comment sought on BLM Wild & Scenic River study

CRAIG, CO—The Bureau of Land Management Little Snake Field Office is required to conduct a Wild & Scenic River study as part of its Resource Management Plan (RMP) revision process. In order to be eligible, a river segment must have at least one or more outstanding values that is specifically river-related. Eligibility alone implies no management changes. Subsequent analysis in the RMP and Environmental Impact Statement will address the most appropriate forms of management, in consideration of any identified outstanding values.

“The initial step of this process is to identify river segments in the field office that are eligible for Wild and Scenic designation,” BLM Planning and Environmental Coordinator Jeremy Casterson said. “Comments related to the presence or absence of outstanding values will be most useful to the BLM at this time.”

An Eligibility Report has been prepared and will be made available to the public for a 30-day review period beginning May 25, 2005. The document is available on the Northwest Colorado Stewardship website at http://www.nwcos.org. As part of the public review period, BLM has scheduled a public meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., June 1, 2005 at Shadow Mountain Clubhouse, 1055 County Rd. 7 in Craig.

Please submit written comments to Jeremy Casterson, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, BLM Little Snake Field Office, Craig, Colorado 81625, or by email at jeremy_casterson@co.blm.gov. The 30-day comment period closes at midnight on June 24. For additional information, contact Jeremy Casterson at 970-826-5071.

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