BLM accepting public comments on wildlife habitat improvement plan near Kremmling
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KREMMLING, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comments on a plan designed to streamline approvals for wildlife habitat improvement projects in the Radium Valley in Eagle and Grand counties.
As BLM begins developing a programmatic environmental assessment that takes a broad look at possible projects in sagebrush, mountain shrub and pinyon-juniper habitats within the 27,000-acre Radium Valley, it wants to hear any issues or concerns from the public.
These projects typically involve creating a mosaic of openings within pinyon-juniper forests to provide a substantial increase in Greater Sage Grouse habitat and forage for wintering deer and elk. This work can be done mechanically, such as mowing or roller-chopping, through prescribed fire, or manually using hand tools.
“These methods are essentially mimicking the same type of disturbance a small, natural wildfire might create,” said BLM Kremmling Wildlife Biologist Darren Long. “These treatments have been successful in this area in the past, but we need to do more. Completing this broad analysis across the Radium Valley now will allow us to get more projects completed in this important wildlife area over the next few years.”
Comments will be most helpful if received by Aug. 26, 2016. The proposal and map of the potential project area are available on-line: http://www.blm.gov/co/kfo. Written comments and questions should be directed to the Kremmling Field Office at 2103 E. Park Ave, CO 80459. Electronic comments may be submitted to KFO Webmail@blm.gov.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.