For Immediate Release: March 20, 2007
Contact: Mel Lloyd BLM 970-244-3097
 
 

BLM Uncompahgre seeks public input on travel management

MONTROSE, Colo.—The Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO) is holding three public scoping meetings in the coming days as it initiates a Travel Management Plan.  Public scoping is intended to provide information about the project and is the first opportunity to gather public comment.

The public is invited to stop by anytime from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the dates and locations below to view a presentation and visit with BLM specialists.  Your written scoping comments will assist BLM in identifying issues and concerns to be considered during the environmental review process.
Date Location Address
Tuesday, March 27 Montrose, Hampton Inn 1980 N. Townsend Avenue
Thursday, March 29 Delta, Delta-Montrose Technical College 1765 Highway 50
Wednesday, April 11 Naturita, Community Center 411 W 2nd Avenue

“Public involvement is essential to our planning process,” said Barb Sharrow, Uncompahgre Field Manager.  “Public scoping helps BLM develop a more effective travel plan.”

The UFO proposes to change the existing “Open” designation to “Limited to Existing” for motorized use within the entire field office, excluding the North Delta OHV Open Area as well as designated open areas within the planning boundary of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area.  Additionally, a transportation system of designated roads and trails is being proposed within the Dry Creek area, which is defined by the USDA Forest Service boundary on the west, private land on the east, 25 Mesa Road on the north, and Dave Wood Road on the south.  Travel planning in this area addresses all modes of travel including motorized, mechanized, equestrian and hiking routes.  The entire planning area encompasses approximately 578,000 acres of BLM-administered public lands located in Delta, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Mesa, and Gunnison counties.

The BLM Uncompahgre Field Office will accept public scoping comments through April 30, 2007.  Planning documents may be reviewed at the Uncompahgre Field Office or on-line at www.co.blm.gov/ubra.  For further information or to have your name added to a mailing list, contact Outdoor Recreation Planner Julie Stotler, at (970) 240-5310. 

-BLM-

Uncompahgre Field Office Travel Management Plan - Q & As

What is a Travel Management Plan?
A Travel Management Plan (TMP) provides the framework for managing travel on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.  This TMP will guide travel on approximately 578,000 acres administered by the Uncompahgre Field Office in Montrose, Gunnison, Delta, Ouray, Mesa, and San Miguel counties.

Why is BLM conducting a Travel Management Plan?
The current land-use planning documents allow “open” or cross-country travel for motorized and mechanized use throughout the entire Field Office, with a few exceptions.  The growing popularity and increased use on BLM public lands in this area require that travel designations change.  Inappropriate off-route travel and resource damage is endangering public land resources in the Dry Creek Area.  Amending travel from open to designated in this area will affect all modes of travel.

What is the Scoping Process?
Scoping is a collaborative public involvement process in which BLM asks the public and other agencies to identify planning issues to be addressed in the planning process.  The scoping process began with the publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register on March 7, 2007.  Scoping comments will be used in drafting the Proposed Preferred Alternative (PPA) and the TMP.  There will be an opportunity for public comment on the PPA, and when the Draft TMP is completed, it will be released for a 30-day public comment period.

What are planning issues and criteria?
Travel planning issues are disputes or controversies about existing and potential travel designations, levels of resource use, determinations of appropriate routes, special designations (i.e. Special Recreation Management Areas or Open Areas), and related management practices.

Scoping also involves the introduction of preliminary planning criteria to the public for comment.  Planning criteria guide development of the plan by helping to define the decision space or sideboards of the planning process. The planning criteria will help us develop a reasonable range of alternatives that are tailored to the issues identified in the scoping process by the public and BLM.

How can I comment?
Scoping comments will be most helpful if BLM receives them by April 30, 2007.  The public may submit written comments to the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office, ATTN: Travel Management, 2465 S. Townsend Avenue, Montrose, Colorado 81401; by fax to (970) 240-5368; or by e-mail to cotmpufo@blm.gov.  Planning documents may be reviewed at the Uncompahgre Field Office or on-line at www.co.blm.gov/ubra.  For further information or to have your name added to a mailing list, contact Outdoor Recreation Planner Julie Stotler, at (970) 240-5310.  The mailing list will be used to notify people about the progress of the planning effort as well as additional opportunities for public involvement and comment.  The scoping meetings in Montrose, Delta, and Naturita will focus on travel management issues pertaining to lands managed by the Uncompahgre Field Office.

Will my comments be made public?
Public comments received will be available for public review at the Uncompahgre Field Office and on the website.  Individuals may request confidentiality with respect to their name, address and phone number by clearly stating in the first line of their comments: “CONFIDENTIALITY REQUESTED.”