Public invited to BLM field tours of proposed OHV open areas
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MEEKER, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is hosting public site tours in September to four areas in the White River Field Office it is proposing as “OHV Open Areas.”
The field office recently released preliminary travel area alternatives for public review. The preliminary alternatives designate which areas within the 1.5-million-acre field office would be open to cross-country motorized and mechanized use, which would be limited to designated routes, and which would be closed to motorized and mechanized vehicles.
“We are looking at several options for these four areas we are proposing to designate as ‘open’ under the preliminary alternatives,” said White River Field Manager Kent Walter. “These site tours will give us an opportunity to brainstorm with the public and hear their ideas and concerns.”
The first tour will be Sept. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. to the LO7 Hill area near Meeker. The other three tours will be Sept. 8near Rangely: the North Dinosaur area from 9-10:30 a.m.; the North Rangely area from 11 a.m.- noon; and the Rangely Rock Crawling Park from 1-2:30 p.m. Specific meeting locations for each tour are available by calling the field office at 970 878-3800.
The public field tours all require a short drive from the meeting location to the tour site. There are graveled or dirt portions of the drive that some may be more comfortable operating a higher clearance vehicle with four-wheeled drive such as a stock pickup truck or SUV. All tours will include short off trail hiking of less than a half mile. Participants should wear comfortable hiking clothing and footwear, and be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.
The preliminary alternatives detailing all proposed area designations are on-line at http://bit.ly/2aLnDKx.
“Once we complete these area designations in 2017, we will begin detailed, route-by-route evaluations,” Walter said. “Our ultimate goal is to identify a comprehensive travel network that provides good public access balanced with protection of sensitive areas and resources.”
The BLM is also hosting two public open house meetings about these preliminary alternatives from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 30, in Meeker at the Public Library, 490 Main St.; and from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 31 in Rangely at the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation Center, 611 S. Stanolind Ave.
Comments will be most effective if received by Sept. 30, 2016. Comments may be sent to blm_co_wrfo_tmp@blm.govor by mail to Heather Sauls, BLM White River Field Office, 220 East Market St., Meeker, CO 81641.
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.
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.