The Bureau of Land Management analyzes direct sale of two public land parcels near Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
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MONTROSE, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is considering the sale of two small parcels of public land to resolve longstanding residential encroachments near the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area.
“The BLM is interested to hear from the public as we work with the owners of both parcels to provide an overall benefit to the public,” said Uncompahgre Field Manager Greg Larson.
Tract A contains approximately 0.7 acre located on the western edge of a 280-acre isolated parcel of public land in Montrose County. The 280-acre parcel is surrounded by private lands with no public or BLM access. A residence constructed on an adjacent private parcel in the late 1990s was determined to encroach approximately 6.5 feet onto BLM-administered lands. Tract B contains approximately 6.62 acres located adjacent to the National Conservation Area in the Peach Valley area of Delta County. A 2003 boundary survey of the new National Conservation Area identified several apparently inadvertent encroachments of private property onto public land, including Tract B.
The preparation of an environmental assessment is one of the early steps involved in processing a sale of public land. If the decision is made to proceed with the proposed direct sale, the following additional steps would occur:
- Conduct an appraisal to determine fair market value
- Publish a notice of realty action in the Federal Register and local newspapers
- Offer the parcel for purchase at the fair market value price.
Comments on the preliminary environmental assessment must be received or postmarked by October 7, 2020. Additional information and project documents are available on the BLM ePlanning website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2000347/510. Please provide written comments through the ePlanning site or by mail to: BLM Uncompahgre Field Office, Attn: Jana Moe, 2465 South Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401.
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.
-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.