Land Management Planning
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Map Alison Gallensky, Wild Connections
The Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service are stewards of 2,780,000 acres of federal lands in our region. Management plans guide all their activities.
Rep Hurd's "Productive Public Lands Act" threatens BLM's Eastern Colorado and other Resource Management Plans
This bill asks congress to eliminate or slash nearly all of the 300,000 acres and 60 BLM river miles of conservation and recreation designations in the Eastern Colorado RMP, a 10-year process formed by local community input that was just finalized last year.
Rep Hurd claims that the plan locks up public lands from oil and gas leasing, however over 76% of the ECRMP planning area is already open to O&G leasing, a plan supported by Colorado's energy industry.
Click on the below image to read our full report of these threats:
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BLM Approves the Eastern Colorado Resource Management Plan!
After nearly a decade of community input and scientific analysis, the Bureau of Land Management approved the final plan on January 18, 2024.
The BLM plan protects a large amount of public lands and waters in central Colorado, however falls short on addressing climate impacts. See our group press release here for more info.
The BLM plan protects a large amount of public lands and waters in central Colorado, however falls short on addressing climate impacts. See our group press release here for more info.
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- Plan Highlights:
- 114,700 acres as lands with wilderness characteristics (LWC);
- 101,400 acres as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs);
- 87,400 acres as Backcountry Conservation Areas (BCA);
- Five river and stream segments, totaling 60 BLM river miles, were found suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
- Strengthen recreation management using two management prescriptions: Special and Extensive Recreation Management Areas totaling 10 areas and 71,400 acres.
Despite these gains, the plan missed the mark on greenhouse gas reductions. It leaves the vast majority of BLM public lands open to future oil and gas leasing, and does not sufficiently improve air quality for the communities that are and will be affected by oil and gas development.
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Thank you to Secretary Haaland and President Biden for protecting these lands. Photo Denver Post. Click image to download the full page ad.
PIKE-SAN ISABEL
FOREST PLAN REVISION
The Pike-San Isabel National Forest is expected to begin revision of their management 1984 Forest Plan after the Grand Mesa Uncomphagre Gunnison National Forest's planning is completed.
Planning news will be posted here as it becomes available.
Travel Management
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Jeep crossing a stream in Farnum area Photo Misi Ballard
Agencies designate routes open to full-sized vehicles, motorcycles, mountain bike, pack animals and foot travelers.
PIKE-SAN ISABEL MOTORIZED VEHCICLE USE MAP
(MVUM)
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Jeeps, OHVs, motor cycles, moutain bikes, equestrians and a few hikers share Badger Flats' routes. Photo Jean Smith
Forest Supervisor Diana Trujillo issued the Record of Decision (ROD) on the long awaited Motorized Travel Management (MVUM) Analysis Project on September 26, 2022.
This ROD culminates several years of working on a court ordered revision of the Forest Service’s Pike-San Isabel (PSI) Motorized Vehicle Use Plan.
One of the last steps was taken when the USFS hosted a formal objections hearing for those that submitted objection comments, including Wild Connections. In particular we defended USFS decision to continue to keep motorized use out of Wildcat Canyon, where illegal motorized recreation has become rampant, including in and across the South Platte River. Completion of the travel management plan has opened the way for restoration projects and other USFS initiated projects.
One of the last steps was taken when the USFS hosted a formal objections hearing for those that submitted objection comments, including Wild Connections. In particular we defended USFS decision to continue to keep motorized use out of Wildcat Canyon, where illegal motorized recreation has become rampant, including in and across the South Platte River. Completion of the travel management plan has opened the way for restoration projects and other USFS initiated projects.
Trails
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Hikers give way to mountain bikers on a multi-use trail. Photo Don Thompson
OUTSIDE 285
Outside 285, the multi-stakeholder collaborative focusing on outdoor recreation and habitat conservation in the foothills region SW of Denver was recognized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) as an Outdoor Regional Partnership.
CPW and GOCO developed the Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership initiative to ensure that our state remains a world-class destination for outdoor recreation while preserving our land, water, wildlife, and quality of life.
The Outside 285 Regional Partnership (O285 Partnership) is made up of land managers, wildlife biologists, wildlife conservation organizations, and recreation user groups. Wild Connections is one of the partners. Over the next two years, the O285 Partnership will focus on implementing its 2021 Master Plan, building more partnerships throughout the region, and advancing both habitat conservation and trail-based outdoor recreation throughout the 285 corridor. If you have general questions about the O285 Partnership, please direct them to project consultant, ERO Resources: CTanner@eroresources.com Questions about Wild Connections' interests in Outside285 can be directed to our Co-Director/Conservation John Sztukowski
The Outside 285 Regional Partnership (O285 Partnership) is made up of land managers, wildlife biologists, wildlife conservation organizations, and recreation user groups. Wild Connections is one of the partners. Over the next two years, the O285 Partnership will focus on implementing its 2021 Master Plan, building more partnerships throughout the region, and advancing both habitat conservation and trail-based outdoor recreation throughout the 285 corridor. If you have general questions about the O285 Partnership, please direct them to project consultant, ERO Resources: CTanner@eroresources.com Questions about Wild Connections' interests in Outside285 can be directed to our Co-Director/Conservation John Sztukowski
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Outside 285 Study Area
go here to download the map (1.7 mb)
