| Contacts: | Tom Alvarez, Public Affairs Specialist, (970) 244-3097 |
Do It Yourself Christmas Trees Available Through BLM
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Over 400 local area trees have found homes for the Christmas season through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) tree permit service. Permits are available at the BLM Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO), 2815 H Road in Grand Junction. Permits can also be purchased at the Glade Park Store, 16498 Ds Road, in Glade Park. The cost is $10 for each permit, with a limit of two per household, for personal use only and may not be resold. Permits are available at the GJFO Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and available every day during business hours at the Glade Park Store. The deadline for purchasing permits is Wednesday, Dec. 24. All permits expire at the end of the day on Thursday, Dec. 25.
Anyone cutting trees on BLM lands must have their permit in possession while cutting trees. Only Pinyon and Juniper trees may be cut in designated areas. Maps will be provided at the time of permit purchase with travel directions, permit boundaries and rules. The public is advised to ensure trees are cut only on BLM land. The U.S. Forest Service has recently reported people straying onto Forest Service land and illegally cutting trees, which may result in a citation and fine. Areas open to cutting are the Dominguez/Farmers Canyon, Cactus Park (Uncompaghre Plateau), John Brown Canyon (Gateway), Tom's Canyon and 5.7 Road (Glade Park).
The largest selection of trees can be found in the Gateway, Farmers Canyon, and 5.7 Road (Glade Park) areas. Road conditions vary due to weather. The BLM recommends using four-wheel drive vehicles to access some areas, carrying tire chains, shovels, emergency equipment, and extra winter clothing or blankets due to changing weather, which may affect road access or use. For more information please call BLM visitors information services at 970-244-3000 or BLM Forester Jacob Martin at 244-3081.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. 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.