Major decisions ahead for our public lands 

Does oil and gas leasing in the North Fork Valley concern you? Do you want more protection for the BLM lands of the Uncompahgre Plateau? Do you think the lower Dolores River deserves Wild and Scenic status?

If yes, you need to know about the Uncompahgre Draft Resource Management Plan, known as an “RMP.”

Last Friday, the BLM released the Draft RMP for its Uncompahgre region, which encompasses about 675,000 acres and stretches from McClure Pass to Telluride to the Paradox Valley.

This is a big deal, and about time. The RMP is a long-range planning document that will be used to guide decisions on everything from oil and gas leasing to recreation and land designation for the next 20+ years. This plan has been in the works for over 6 years.  The long awaited plan is now open for comment until September 1, 2016

WCC members on a hike in Potter Canyon, one of several areas we are seeking to protect in the RMP process. Photo by Jim Riddell

There are many priorities for WCC within the plan, and we are currently analyzing the document.

You can read up on the RMP here. You can also learn more in person at one of several BLM open houses coming up this month:

• Ridgway: Monday, June 20, 6-8 p.m. at Ouray County 4-H Events Center, 22739 Hwy. 550
• Naturita: Tuesday, June 21, 6-8 p.m. at Naturita Public Library Conference Room, 107 W 1st Ave
• Hotchkiss: Wednesday June 22, 6-8 p.m. at Hotchkiss High School Commons Area, 438 Bulldog St.
• Delta: Tuesday June 28, 6-8 p.m. at Delta Center for the Performing Arts Community Room, 822 Grand Ave.
• Montrose: Wednesday June 29, 6-8 p.m. at Montrose County Fairgrounds Friendship Hall, 1001 N. Second St.
• Telluride: Thursday June 30, 6-8 p.m. at Wilkinson Library Program Room, 100 W. Pacific Ave.

We’ll be in touch soon with more information and ways to get involved. We’ll be leading hikes, showing films, and hosting workshops between now and the comment deadline. Wanna help make it happen? Let us know and we’ll get you plugged into the planning team. Thanks!