The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office seeks public comments on 2021 Special Recreation Permit applications
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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office is accepting public comments on ten Special Recreation Permit applications for fiscal year 2021. The BLM uses a permit system to manage economic aspects of recreation and ensure sustainable and diverse recreational opportunities for all visitors.
“We are seeking comments from the public to help us understand any issues associated with these proposals, including compliance history, potential conflicts with other users, or health and safety concerns,” said Andy Windsor, BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner. “Comments can also help us determine whether these special recreation permits support BLM objectives for recreation management and resource protection.”
The BLM received four new and six renewal special recreation permit applications to provide commercial activities on public lands within the Grand Junction Field Office in 2021:
- Ninja Mountain Bike Performance (Teri Ayotte) - Youth mountain bike camps in Lunch Loops and North Fruita Desert
- Peak Mountain Guides (Lance Sullins) - Climbing in Unaweep and Escalante canyons
- Aspen Country Day School (Paige Freeman) - Youth mountain bike instruction and camping at North Fruita Desert; youth mountain bike instruction at Mack Ridge
- Naropa University (Stacy Kolcum) - Transpersonal wilderness therapy in Big Dominguez Canyon
- Glenwood Climbing Guides (renewal; Michael Schneiter) - Climbing activities, backpacking and mountain biking throughout Grand Junction Field Office, McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, and Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area
- Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides (renewal; Joshua Baruch) - River trips in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and climbing in Unaweep Canyon
- Whitewater Canoe Company (renewal; Bernie Kendall) - River trips on the Gunnison, Colorado, and Dolores rivers
- Western Colorado University (renewal; Tara Allman) - Mountain biking, backpacking, rafting/kayaking, and climbing throughout the Grand Junction Field Office and McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area
- Desert Rat Tours (renewal; Dan Stoller) - Youth mountain bike camps at Mack Ridge
- Better Ride (renewal; Gene Hamilton) - Mountain bike instruction at North Fruita Desert
Supporting local economies, being good neighbors, and encouraging sustainable uses on public lands are integral to the fulfilling the BLM’s multiple use, sustained yield mandate. The BLM collects “fair market value” on behalf of the public when these types of activities take place on public lands and manages commercial recreation.
Written comments regarding the applications will be most helpful if received by December 23, 2020. The applications are available to review at 2815 H Road, Grand Junction. For information regarding these applications or to find out whether your activity might require a Special Recreation Permit, contact Alex Martin at (970) 244-3022. For more information on recreation permits and fees charged on BLM-administered public lands, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-fees.
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.