BLM Seeks Public Input on Forestry Proposal

The Royal Gorge Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is evaluating a proposal to sell commercial timber north of Cotopaxi over the next several years. The “3 Peaks” project is proposed on Stony Face, Jack Hall, and Waugh Mountains.

There are currently more dead or dying trees on public lands than at any time in recorded history. Drought, high tree densities, and bark beetle epidemics have led to large scale tree mortality. An inventory completed in 2006 on Stony Face Mountain indicates that there are well over 500 trees per acre. Aspen mortality has increased due to the lack of soil moisture, conifer competition, and age.

The proposed project would reduce hazardous fuels, lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfire and promote healthy resilient forests. Additionally it would improve wildlife habitat and forest diversity and help maintain the local forest industry. No new roads would be created by the activity. Existing roads will be the primary system used for removal of forest products with any temporary roads closed upon completion of the timber removal.

The most common tree species found throughout the project area are aspen, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, spruce, and lodgepole pine. The proposal includes removing conifer encroaching on aspen stands, 3 to 7 acre patch cutting to improve forest diversity and where appropriate Douglas-fir restoration.

This proposal is being analyzed through an environmental assessment. Public comments received by September 3, 2006, will be used by the BLM’s Royal Gorge Field Office to help develop the environmental analysis. Anyone with comments or questions concerning this proposal is asked to contact Ken Reed at the Royal Gorge Field Office, 3170 East Main, Canon City, CO 81212, or call (719) 269-8576. E-mail comments can be sent to: rgfo_comments@blm.gov.

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