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• Drier Conditions Likely for July 4th Weekend...Fire Officials Urge Caution

  If skies are clear this July 4 ^th weekend many people will be heading to the great outdoors to recreate. The National Weather Service is forecasting a drying trend which follows an extended period of spring moisture. Although much needed, the rains have produced an abundance of grass which is now beginning to cure and dry out at lower elevations.

  Fire officials are encouraging people to be careful with all outdoor fires.  When building a campfire remember to:

  • Build it in a cleared area free of flammable material  
  • Keep it as small as possible
  • Bring a shovel and bucket in order to extinguish the fire with dirt and water until it is cold to the touch
  • Never leave a campfire unattended, it is illegal to do so

Click here to view the entire news release.

• Cedar Mountain Road Reopens

  The upper portion of the Cedar Mountain road five miles northwest of Craig has been reopened.  The road was closed to motorized vehicles April 9 to protect nesting raptors.

  Click here to view the entire news release.

• Forest Service products are unavailable

  Our office is unable to sell National Forest permits and maps at this time.  Please contact your nearest Forest Service Office for assistance.  We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

• National Public Lands Day Activities Planned

  Our office will be hosting a GPS/Geocaching Tutorial, campground expansion, and Take It Outside event as part of the 16th Annual National Public Lands Day on August 15, 2009. Volunteers should meet at the Little Snake Field Office at 8:30 a.m. sharp.  Click here for more information.

• Public Comment Period Extended for Additional Air Quality Assessment to support the Little Snake Draft RMP

The Little Snake Field Office is in the process of revising its Resource Management Plan (RMP). The plan will provide a framework to guide subsequent management decisions on approximately 1.3 million surface acres and 1.9 million subsurface acres administered by the Little Snake Field Office in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties. The Draft RMP/EIS was released for a 90-day public comment period in February 2007. BLM is currently analyzing the public comments and developing the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. 

The Draft Additional Air Quality Assessment to Support the BLM Little Snake Field Office Draft RMP/EIS is available for public comment.  The public comment period closes January 5, 2009.  The document was prepared by the BLM as a result of comments received on the Draft RMP/EIS from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  This hypothetical air quality assessment provides additional information and analysis using the CALPUFF-lite modeling system. 

• View the News Release
• View the Little Snake Resource Management Plan web page

• Emerald Mountain Trail Work Continues

In June 2007, John E. Husband, Field Manager of the BLM Little Snake Field Office, issued a decision approving the Emerald Mountain Recreation Implementation Plan (IP). Construction soon began on the Ridge Trail to connect Blackmere Drive Trail to Cow Creek Road. In August 2007, Phase 1 of trail construction was completed and the 4,139 acre parcel was officially open for recreational use.  

Work continues on the Ridge Trail and the BLM anticipates that it will probably be another year before the trail will be completely done through the hard work and dedication of the Rocky Mountain Youth Corp and the Routt County Riders. The trail is currently being used by mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers. Although the trail is not complete to BLM standards, it continues to receive a positive response and increased use as more people become aware of the recreational opportunities that Emerald Mountain provides to the local community and visitors to the area.

Through a GOCO grant received by the City of Steamboat Springs, one of BLM’s partners in the management of Emerald Mountain, the Little Snake Field Office has released the Final copy of the Emerald Mountain Special Recreation Management Area Implementation Plan Amendment.   This plan will help clarify the goals and objectives of the original IP for future trail and facilities development, rules and regulations, and other issues. Six public meetings were held to solicit public input.

With the completion of the IP Amendment, the BLM and its Partners can successfully manage Emerald Mountain for recreation, wildlife, and agricultural needs.

• View the Implementation Plan Amendment
• View the Ridge Trail Map
• View the Emerald Mountain Exchange/Planning information

• New 1:100,000 maps available for purchase

The new updated Craig, Meeker, Rangely, Steamboat Springs and Walden 1:100,000 BLM maps are now available to purchase.  The maps are $4.00 each and you can stop by our office, call in an order with your credit card or click here for more details on the maps and purchasing information.

The Canyon of Lodore map is in the process of being updated and should be available for purchase later this year.

Bureau of Land Management in Northwest Colorado...

The Little Snake Field Office encompasses 4.2 million acres of federal, state and private lands in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties.  Of the total area, 1.3 million acres are public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and 1.1 million acres of the private and state lands are underlain by federally owned minerals.  Resource activities include:  wildlife, cultural resources, grazing, energy & minerals, rights-of-ways, paleontological resources and recreation.  For more information, click here or on "Programs" from the menu above.

Take a photo tour of Little Snake

John Husband, Field Manager