BLM seeks public comment on proposal to lease Salida East to Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Organization
Media Contact:
CANON CITY, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office is seeking public comments on a proposal to lease the Salida East recreation area to Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reduce conflicts at the popular recreation site. CPW currently manages 16 sites along the Arkansas River under a Recreation and Public Purposes Act lease.
The proposed R&PP lease would increase the capacity of the BLM and CPW to provide additional law enforcement presence at Salida East. If the lease is approved, the BLM and CPW would be better able to collaboratively manage the area by improving facilities, reducing improper use, and providing clear regulations and adequate protections for present and future facilities.
If the lease is approved, CPW could collect day-use fees and, as required by the R&PP Act, use the fees to maintain the area. Currently, all of the developed R&PP lease sites along the Arkansas River require a day-use fee or CPW Parks Pass. Fees would be used to improve facilities in Salida East such as restrooms, changing facilities, campgrounds, picnic sites, boat ramps and parking areas.
The BLM is analyzing CPW’s request in an environmental assessment. The BLM would like the public’s help to identify what issues and concerns they think the EA should address. This scoping period will run until Nov. 2, 2015. For additional information or to submit a comment, please contact Melissa Garcia at 719-269-8724 or email comments to rgfo_comments@blm.gov with “Salida East” in the subject line.
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. Thank you for your interest in the management of your public lands within the Royal Gorge Field Office.
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.