BLM seeks public comments in determining Areas of Critical Environmental Concern in southwest Colorado
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DOLORES, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office is seeking comments regarding establishing Areas of Critical Environmental Concern in San Miguel, San Juan, Dolores, Montezuma and Montrose counties. The BLM is looking at 18 areas covering 130,000 acres identified for ACEC analysis in the Tres Rios Resource Management Plan.
“These areas must be evaluated within a plan amendment in order to be considered for ACEC designation,” said Connie Clementson, BLM Tres Rios Field Manager. “We are considering these areas for special features such as occupied Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat, archaeological sites, rare plants, alpine tundra and paleontological sites.”
Congress mandated that the BLM consider designating ACECs through the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. These areas are places where special management attention is needed to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural and scenic values; fish, wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes; or to protect human life and safety from natural hazards.
The BLM is asking the public to provide site-specific comments, concerns and issues before drafting an environmental assessment.
Comments will be most helpful if received by April 4, 2016. Written comments should be directed to the BLM, Attn. Gina Jones, 2465 S. Townsend, Montrose, CO 81401, or submitted electronically to blm_co_trfo_acec@blm.gov.
Before including your address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, 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.