BLM CONTINUES IMPLEMENTATION OF GOLD BELT PLAN WITH TARGET SHOOTING RESTRICTIONS

The Bureau of Land Management is continuing to implement the Gold Belt Travel Management Plan that was completed in August of 2004 by prohibiting target shooting in specific locations within the planning area north of Canon City.

During the planning process for the Travel Management Plan there was considerable public involvement and the decisions were generally supported by user groups and the public.  The plan established a transportation system with designated roads and trails for motorized, mechanized, and non-motorized uses.  Implementation was begun last fall and approximately 90 % of these signs have already been installed.”

The next part of the plan to be implemented will begin on October 3 when target shooting will be prohibited in the Shelf Road campgrounds and climbing area, Penrose Commons, most of Garden Park Fossil Area and a one-quarter mile wide corridor along Phantom Canyon Road.  This restriction is necessary because concentrated target shooting in these areas has damaged the environment; vandalized public and private infrastructure (power lines, buildings, signs); threatened public health and safety; and adversely impacted the quality of life for residents with homes adjacent to these public lands.  However, part of the Dinosaur Flats area will remain open to shooting.

Two other decisions approved in the Travel Management Plan will also be implemented on October 3.  To reduce impacts created by dispersed camping, parking, and retrieval of wild game, off route travel will be restricted for these purposes to a maximum distance of 100 feet from any designated route.  In addition, mountain bike use will be restricted to designated routes due to the potential for resource damage.

BLMs Royal Gorge Field Manager, Roy Masinton said “Many of the restrictions placed on public lands are caused by either improper use or overuse of those lands.  We ask people to use their public lands responsibly to keep them available to everyone.”

Maps and specific information are available at the BLM Office, 3170 E. Main Street in Canon City or by calling (719) 269-8500.

-BLM-