BLM issues decision on Bangs Canyon EA

GRAND JUNCTION, CO—The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office has issued the Final Environmental Assessment (CO-130-2004-018-EA) and Decision Record for implementation of the Bangs Canyon Management Plan, which was approved in 1999. After carefully considering approximately 300 unique public comments, the BLM crafted a decision that focuses on sustainable shared-use trails and urban interface management.

“The decision is Alternative 5, which blends aspects from each of the other alternatives in the original EA,” Field Manager Catherine Robertson said. “BLM takes its commitment to the community seriously as it manages for shared-use trails and multiple-use opportunities.”

The decision:
· fulfills the 1999 Bangs Canyon Plan and 1987 Grand Junction Resource Management Plan,
· locates the motorized trailhead away from residential areas,
· includes ATV specific trails,
· expands the backcountry primitive area from 12,000 to 34,000 acres,
· expands the designated shared-use trail system while reducing trail miles from 216 to 187,
· requires well-designed, sustainable routes that are more fun to use and provides protections for the resource,
· improves both facilities and recreation opportunities in the urban interface areas, and
· provides for freeride/downhill bicycle opportunities.

The EA, which was released for public comment in August 2005, analyzed implementation actions for each of the six unique emphasis areas created under the Bangs Canyon Management Plan for the Bangs Canyon Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA). Implementation decisions represent the BLM’s final approval for a specific management action. The Bangs Canyon SRMA is located in Mesa County, Colorado, 5 miles south of Grand Junction. The area is bounded by the Gunnison River on the northeast, Colorado National Monument on the northwest, East Creek (Hwy. 141) to the southeast, and Glade Park (Pinyon Mesa) to the southwest.

The Decision Record and related documents are available at the Grand Junction Field Office or online at http://www.co.blm.gov/gjra/bangsmgtplan.htm. Questions, or requests for paper copies of the final Bangs Canyon implementation EA and/or Decision Record, may be addressed to Jim Cooper at (970) 244-3047 or Britta Laub at (970) 244-3031 or by e-mail at Colorado_Bangs_Plan@blm.gov.

-BLM-

Editor’s Note: See attached Sidebar for additional details regarding the decision.

bangscyn_sidebar_040606.pdf