| Contacts: | Denise Adamic, BLM, 719-269-8553 | |||
| Barb Timock, USFS, 719-553-1415 |
Tis the Season to cut a Christmas tree on public lands (11-13-12)
CANON CITY, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are once again offering Christmas tree permits for sale. The cost of a permit is $10 with a limit of two permits per household. Permits are valid only for the areas of the state in which they are purchased.
“People have a variety of tree species to choose from, depending on where you would like to go,” said Ken Reed, BLM Royal Gorge Field Office Forester. “The public may cut a Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, piñon pine, white fir, spruce, or a Rocky Mountain juniper.”
Tree cutters must have a valid permit with them while cutting and transporting their trees. No one may cut a tree within a wilderness area, wilderness study area, timber sale area, or at administrative sites such as developed campgrounds. More guidelines, tips, and maps of suggested cutting areas are available where permits are sold.
Christmas tree permits may be purchased at any of the following BLM and USFS offices:
• BLM Royal Gorge Field Office and San Carlos Ranger District, 3028 E. Main St., Cañon City, Mon. through Fri. from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Contact: 719-269-8500
• BLM permits may be purchased at the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Office, 307 West Sackett Ave., Salida, Mon. through Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact: 719-539-7289
• USFS permits may be purchased at the Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office at 2840 Kachina Drive, Pueblo, Mon. through Fri. 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact: 719-553-1400
• USFS permits may be purchased at the USFS offices in Westcliffe (719-783-2079), and La Veta (719-742-3681). Please call prior to stopping by the offices, as they do not have established office hours.
Foresters remind the public to plan ahead for any tree-cutting trip. Remember that while the temperatures may be mild at lower elevations, the high country may be experiencing winter conditions. The public should wear warm clothes, bring the appropriate maps, and let someone know your planned destination and return time.
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. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2012, activities on public lands generated $4.6 billion in revenue, much of which was shared with the States where the activities occurred. In addition, public lands contributed more than $112 billion to the U.S. economy and helped support more than 500,000 jobs.
3028 E Main Street Canon City, CO 81212