BLM seasonal road closures in effect December 1

GRAND JUNCTION, CO – The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office will implement seasonal road closures on December 1. These roads will reopen to motorized use on May 1, 2006, with the exception of the Coal Canyon road, in the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area, which will reopen May 30, 2006. Affected areas include: Coal Canyon, the Beehive, Grand Mesa Slopes, Lands End, Chalk Mountain, Sunnyside, Big Salt Wash/Coal Gulch, Blue Mesa, Demaree and Rapid Creek. The BLM closes roads and access routes on an annual basis for a variety of reasons, ranging from protecting critical big-game winter range to protecting other natural resources in sensitive areas.

While some affected areas will have locked gates, other areas will be closed through signing. The public is asked to respect the closures to protect wildlife values and reduce disturbance of winter-stressed deer and elk.

Public access remains to all areas via foot or horseback. For more information contact BLM Wildlife Biologist Brendan Moynahan at 970-244-3012.

-BLM-