BLM seeks public comments on plan for managing camping and travel management in Chaffee County

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CANON CITY, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office is seeking public comment on the Chaffee County Camping and Travel Management Plan Environmental Assessment.

“We’ve received great public input so far on how best to manage the recent dramatic increases in recreation use in our field office,” said Royal Gorge Field Office Manager Keith Berger. “We think we’ve put together a great plan that meets our multiple use mandate while still providing ample quality camping experiences for visitors to public land”.

An environmental assessment was prepared for the proposed management plan to determine the significance of environmental impacts and provide a basis for rational decision making. The assessment includes various alternatives to manage camping and motorized travel on approximately 38,000 acres of BLM-administered land in Chaffee County. This proposed management plan and associated analysis would allow the BLM to manage areas for camping and recreation while providing a safe, enjoyable experience for visitors.

The public may submit comments through ePlanning until October 8, 2022. The most useful comments would provide the BLM with input to improve the analysis and ensure impacts are adequately determined before the BLM makes a final decision on the proposed management effort. The BLM initiated this effort based on concerns identified by BLM resource specialists, public land users and neighbors to public lands in an effort to promote collaboration and coordination with local communities. Additional information is available at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2012291/510.

For more information, please contact Kalem Lenard, Assistant Field Manager at 719-433-8486 or jlenard@blm.gov or Linda Skinner, Outdoor Recreation Planner at 719-269-8732 or lskinner@blm.gov.

-BLM-


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.