BLM to Discuss Draft Resource Management Plan Saturday

One of the hottest topics on the Western slope will be discussed  during a public meeting this Saturday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Two Rivers Convention Center.

According to the press release the BLM is inviting the public to Grand Junction to discuss their travel management alternatives and they will have:

• maps showing the various proposals
• area groups representing a wide range of viewpoints on road and trail management of BLM lands in the Grand Junction
• Field Office representatives will also be on-hand to help answer questions and for one-on-one discussions about the proposals

A brief presentation will be held at 5p with BLM personnel, followed by a question and answer session.

The Grand Junction Field Manager Katie Stevens says,

The purpose of this meeting is to help the public get the information they need to provide us with specific, written comments about our proposals for roads, trails and travel. Our goal with the travel management plan is to provide quality recreation for a variety of road and trail users, and ensure that permit holders such as ranchers and oil and gas companies can get where they need to go. We must balance these uses with protecting sensitive natural resources, like wildlife, cultural resources and water quality.”

Following the close of the public comment period, which has been extended to June 24, BLM will develop the Proposed RMP and Travel Management Plan, which are currently expected to be completed in winter of 2014. The BLM has currently developed four possible management plans, called alternatives, for the public to consider.

Our final proposed plan will likely contain elements of all four alternatives, so we are really hoping to hear specific comments on all four of the alternatives. We are required to identify a preferred alternative in this draft, but all the alternatives are on the table. The preferred alternative is not our final proposal." Stevens said.

More than 500 people have attended the five public open houses BLM held in January and February to answer questions about the Draft RMP and travel management proposals. If you haven't heard about these proposals get the full scoop here: