| Contacts: | David Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist, (970) 876-9008 |
Cedar Mountain road closure protects nesting raptors (02-01-10)
CRAIG, Colo.— The upper portion of the Cedar Mountain Road northwest of Craig, Colo., will be closed to motorized vehicles from Feb. 3 through late spring or early summer to protect nesting raptors.
The closure begins at the trailhead parking area, which is about a half-mile from where the road begins off Moffat County Road 7. The road and trails on Cedar Mountain remain open to hiking and mountain biking. Motor vehicle access will be permitted for required maintenance of communications equipment on Cedar Mountain.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Cedar Mountain Management Plan allows for a seasonal closure of the road when necessary to reduce disturbance to nesting raptors and prevent nest abandonment. The BLM last closed this road in the spring of 2009 when an active raptor nest was identified in an area vulnerable to disturbance.
“We appreciate the public’s help in observing this closure,” said acting BLM Little Snake Field Manager David Blackstun. “Cedar Mountain is an important raptor nesting area, and raptors are particularly sensitive to disturbance during their nesting season. The Cedar Mountain Day Use Area is a popular recreation site and will remain open to the public for all non-motorized uses as well as motorized use up to the parking area. ”
If you have questions regarding this seasonal closure, please contact BLM wildlife biologist Desa Ausmus, (970) 826-5019.
The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
455 Emerson Street Craig, CO 81625