We are quickly approaching the June 24th deadline for public comment for the BLM’s Grand Junction Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP).  The Grand Junction Field Office’s boundaries cover over one million acres of public land in Mesa and surrounding counties, and decisions made in this document will have a major effect on the long term vitality of our public lands and resources. These public lands surround our communities so public participation is crucial!

Here are some key concerns you might mention in your comments:

• The BLM should protect our unique and wild places by including all “land with wilderness characteristics” and “areas of environmental concern” in the final plan.
• Tell the BLM we support their efforts to reduce travel route density in the Draft, but that they should not elevate motorized use over “quiet trail” use and they can do more to support hiking, biking, horseback riding, etc.
• Ask BLM to include all 14 waterways that have been identified for potential Wild and Scenic protection in the final plan.
• Before opening up more public land for oil and gas drilling, BLM should close sensitive and valuable areas to leasing, finish BLM frack disclosure and well integrity rules, and require best management practices that protect public heath, air and water.
• Ask BLM to improve management of air resources by completing air quality modeling, and conducing a Health Impact Assessment of potential effects of increasing hazardous air pollutants.
• Tell BLM to withdraw areas identified for uranium development from mineral leasing and to promote more sustainable land use decisions that will not leave lands permanently polluted by radioactive waste.

Remember, COMMENTS ARE DUE MONDAY, JUNE 24.  You can either fax the BLM’s comment form (pdf) to (970) 244-3083 or email to gjfo_rmp@blm.gov.

For more information, contact WCC Organizer Emily Hornback at (970) 256-7650.