For Immediate Release: January 23, 2008
Contact: Mel Lloyd BLM 970-244-3097 
 

Wildlife feeding prompts closures

GUNNISON, Colo. — In an effort to reduce disturbance to an already stressed population of deer, elk, big horn sheep, and pronghorn antelope, the Bureau of Land Management Gunnison Field Office is cooperating with Gunnison County and the Colorado Division of Wildlife by closing certain public lands this winter in the Gunnison Basin to motorized use. Most of the affected public lands lie north of Highway 50 in Gunnison County, but some closures to public lands apply in Saguache County as well. The temporary closures, which are effective immediately and end on April 30, have been prompted by the emergency feeding operations initiated by CDOW last week. 

“While we can’t control the weather, we can control human disturbance,” Field Manager Kenny McDaniel said.  “We feel these temporary closures to motorized use are necessary to avoid increasing the stress these animals are already dealing with.”  The Gunnison Resource Area Approved Resource Management Plan specifically provides for winter closures to protect wintering big game when necessary.

Areas closed to motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, are:
· North of Highway 50 between Dillon Mesa and West Antelope Creek
· North of Highway 50 from east of Gunnison to the Forest boundary east of Doyleville
· South of Highway 50, east of Highway 114, north of Camp Kettle Gulch, and west of Razor Creek

While the temporary closures apply to motorized use only, those accessing public lands by other means are asked to avoid disturbing wildlife.  There are some exceptions to closures: BLM Road 3103 is a designated route within the closure area that is open to motorized use as seasonal conditions allow. Any federal, state, or local officers acting within the scope of their duties may access these areas, as well as those holding a special use permit or right-of-way.  Some restrictions apply for these permittees, and motorized use is limited to the routes specifically identified in the special use permit or right-of-way.

These closures may overlap with seasonal route closures historically implemented in mid-March for the protection of Gunnison sage grouse leks. For additional information on these temporary closures, contact Russell Japuntich at (970) 642-4442. 

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Editor’s Note: Map available upon request.