For Immediate Release: January 9, 2007
Contacts: Ken Smith, (719) 269-8553

BLM Extends Public Comment Period for South Park Plan Amendment

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Royal Gorge Field Office is extending the public comment period for the South Park Land Tenure Adjustment Plan until March 1, 2007.

The existing1996 Royal Gorge Resource Management Plan directs the Agency to dispose of most of the 72,000 acres of BLM administered lands in Park County due to their scattered nature and in many cases, the lack of public access. Through the Land Tenure Plan Amendment the BLM is considering changing the existing Plan so that some of the public lands managed by BLM in Park County would be retained under their management.

The Agency held a public meeting December 13 in Fairplay to ask for comments on the alternatives that are being prepared for the Plan Amendment. The alternatives identify those lands to be retained in public ownership and those that will be available for disposal in the future.

According to BLM, Field Manager Roy Masinton, “After the public meeting, we received some requests for more time for people to submit their comments. As a result, we are extending the comment period by 45 days. We have maps of the three draft alternatives available for viewing at the Park County Commissioners meeting room and the Fairplay Library.”

For questions or more information contact: Joe Vieira or Erik Brekke, at (719) 269-8500. To provide comments on the Plan Amendment write to Bureau of Land Management, ATTN: South Park Land Tenure Plan, 3170 E. Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212; or email to rgfo_comments@blm.gov. Anyone wanting to keep their name, address and comments confidential should contact the BLM office for information, prior to submitting their comments. No anonymous comments will be considered.

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