Planning Meetings to be held this Month for San Juan Public Lands

The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have begun the public involvement phase of a long-term plan revision process for management of National Forest and BLM lands in southwestern Colorado. The joint planning process will produce plans to guide management of some 2.5 million acres of National Forest and BLM lands for the next 10 to 15 years. The San Juan planning effort is unique in that it conducts long-range BLM and Forest Service planning together.

A public open house will be held this month to offer citizens the opportunity to help identify issues and concerns to be addressed. In addition, a seven-month Community Study Group process will begin in January. Citizens can sign up to serve on study groups, which will be meeting in Durango, Cortez, or Pagosa Springs through the winter and spring. Fort Lewis College Office of Community Services will facilitate the Community Study Group meetings, with Forest Service and BLM staff on hand to answer questions. Participants will learn about San Juan Public Lands, make recommendations to the agencies on issues to be studied and suggest appropriate uses for particular landscapes.

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE:
5:30-7:30 p.m., Tues., Jan. 18, 2005, San Juan Public Lands Center, Sonoran Room, 15 Burnett Court, Durango

STUDY GROUP MEETINGS:
7 p.m., Thurs, Jan. 20, Koko’s Conference Room, Holiday Inn, Cortez
7 p.m., Tues, Jan. 25, Student Memorial Lounge, Fort Lewis College, Durango
7 p.m., Thurs, Jan. 27, Library, Pagosa Springs Junior High School Library

Those interested in serving on a Community Study Group are asked to do so in advance of the meetings, so that an adequate amount of meeting materials can be prepared for everyone. To sign up to become a member of the study group in your area, please visit:
http://ocs.fortlewis.edu/forestPlan
www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan

For more information on the planning process, please contact Shannon Manfredi, 970 247-7468 or David Baker, 970 385-1240.

-BLM-