U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado 		 
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For Immediate Release: 10/14/03

BLM Initiates Planning Process for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

The Bureau of Land Management has filed a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to prepare a Resource Management Plan with an associated Environmental Impact Statement for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM). Issues to be addressed include preservation of cultural and natural resources; balancing multiple uses such as recreation, livestock grazing, energy development, traditional and Native American activities; integrating Monument management with community, tribal, and other agency needs; visitor services; and access and transportation on public lands.

Public comments on these and other concerns will be taken over the next two months to help identify issues, develop planning criteria, and evaluate existing planning regulations. In addition, public meetings will be held in Cortez and Durango throughout the process, and the public will later be able to comment directly on the Draft EIS. Written comments should be sent no later than July 1, 2002 to: BLM Planning, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, Colorado 81323. Comments will also be accepted by fax at 970-882-7035 or by e-mail at: Colorado_CANM@co.blm.gov

The Secretary of the Interior is also seeking nominations for citizens to serve on the CANM Advisory Committee, which will advise the BLM on development and implementation of the management plan. Members will be selected based on knowledge or special expertise that qualifies them to provide advice from among the categories of interest listed below. Members will serve without monetary compensation, but will be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. The membership term will be four years. Individuals or organizations may make nominations in the following categories of interest:
  • A representative of the Dolores County Commission (appointed from nominees submitted by the Dolores County Commission);
  • A representative of the Montezuma County Commission (appointed from nominees submitted by the Montezuma County Commission);
  • Two representatives of Native American interests from 24 selected tribes;
  • Two recognized cultural resource representatives, one with regional interests and one from the local area;
  • One grazing permittee on Federal lands in the CANM;
  •  A representative of fluid minerals development;
  • Three citizens who represent any of the following categories; 
    • private landowners in or adjacent to the CANM,
    • recognized national or regional environmental or resource-conservation organizations,
    • off-road vehicle use,
    • commercial recreation,
    • statewide perspectives with no financial interest in the CANM (appointed from nominees submitted by the BLM).
Information and nomination forms are available at the Anasazi Heritage Center and Dolores Public Lands Center in Dolores, and San Juan Public Lands Center in Durango.  Information and nomination forms may also be downloaded from the CANM Website at: http://www.co.blm.gov/canm/index.html   Completed nomination forms and letters will be accepted until May 28, 2002.  Nominations should be mailed to: Manager, BLM Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, CO 81323.  For further information or to have your name added to a mailing list, contact Gary Thrash, 970-385-1371, or Marilynn Eastin, 970-882-4811, or send an email message to: Colorado_CANM@co.blm.gov

 
Last updated: 08-27-2007