BLM Begins Arkansas River Travel Management Plan
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
has scheduled public involvement meetings in Canon City and Salida to
start a planning effort for future management of Off-Highway Vehicle
(OHV) travel on public lands within a part of the Royal Gorge Field
Office.
The Plan, entitled the Arkansas
River Travel Management Plan, will focus specifically on public lands
located within a 75 mile-long section of the Arkansas River corridor
beginning west of Canon City to Centerville, about 15 miles north of
Salida. The planning area includes portions of Fremont, Chaffee, and
Custer Counties.
The Plan will address changing
the OHV travel regulations for the use of motor vehicles on public
lands within the planning area. The regulations currently limit
motorized travel to "existing" roads and trails. The BLM proposes
changing the OHV travel regulations to limit motorized travel to
"designated" roads and trails.
The purpose of the meetings is
to provide the public the opportunity to participate in the planning
process by identifying the issues and concerns that should be addressed
in the Plan. Two public meetings are scheduled. The first
meeting will be held in Canon City on Tuesday, October 5th, from 6:00
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the new Canon City Administration Building,
located at 128 Main Street (enter from the lower level, off Royal Gorge
Boulevard.) The second meeting will be held in Salida on Wednesday,
October 6th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Salida Senior Citizens
Center, located at 305 F Street.
Maps of the existing roads and
trails and specific information about the natural resources and current
uses in the planning area will be presented at both meetings.
Explanations of the environmental assessment process used for preparing
the travel management plan and information on how to stay informed and
involved throughout the process, will also be presented. All
persons who wish to participate in determining how travel uses should
be managed on the public lands are encouraged to attend.
Additional information may be
obtained by contacting: Dave Walker, Transportation Planner, Royal
Gorge Field Office, 3170 Main, Canon City, CO 81212 (719)269-8545.
