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BLM publishes rule to protect public land, promote public safety in Western Slope

Colorado
Upper Colorado River DO
Grand Junction FO
Colorado River Valley FO
Media Contact
Heather S. Marsh
970-852-9272
Two people with backpacks stand on rocks overlooking a portion of the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area.
BLM Colorado published a new supplementary rule Dec. 19, 2024, to help protect natural resources such as those found in Dominquez-Escalante National Conservation Area. This area includes the remote Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, recreation along the Gunnison River, and a network of off-highway vehicle trails. The conservation area allows for a wide variety of activities including hiking, boating and wildlife viewing. The area also provides excellent heritage tourism opportunities, and the rugged canyons and bluffs that hold geological and paleontological resources spanning 1.4 billion years. (BLM Photo by Bob Wick)

 

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management published a final supplementary rule to protect natural resources and promote public health and safety in the Federal Register today. The rule applies to public lands and BLM facilities managed by the Colorado River Valley Field Office, Grand Junction Field Office, Kremmling Field Office, and Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. BLM will implement the supplementary rule 30 days after today’s publication.

The rule details site-specific restrictions aimed at preventing resource damage, human-caused fire, and wildlife disruption. The restrictions apply to a variety of public land uses, including camping, travel on trails, target shooting, and leashing of pets.

“These restrictions reinforce the responsible use of our lands and resources and focus on keeping visitors safe,” said BLM Upper Colorado River District Manager Greg Larson. “This rule doesn’t change our current resource management plans – it helps managers implement the decisions already outlined in those plans.”

The BLM worked with the public and partners to develop the resource management plans for the Colorado River Valley Field Office, Grand Junction Field Office and Kremmling Field Office completed in 2015, and the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, completed in 2017. The final supplementary rule underwent a 60-day public comment period that ended March 25, 2024. During the open period, the BLM received 427 comments and made several changes in response to those comments prior to publishing.

“Along with official guidance and subject matter expert insight, we consider public input a valuable resource when establishing supplementary rules,” said Acting BLM Northwest District Manager James Michels. “Public support is critical to successfully ensuring the sustainable use and enjoyment of public lands.”

Though the rule applies to four land management areas, restrictions may vary by location. Some restrictions may apply to an entire field office or national conservation area, while others are specific to areas within the field offices, such as the North Sand Hills Special Recreation Management Area or Upper Colorado River Special Recreation Management Area.

The final rule and associated documents are available for review at the BLM National NEPA Register.

The Federal Register is the official daily publication for notices, proposed rules and final rules of Federal agencies. For more information about how the Bureau of Land Management uses the Federal Register, visit https://www.blm.gov/media/federal-register.

For additional information, please contact Heather Marsh, Public Affairs Officer at (970) 244-3000 or hmarsh@blm.gov.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.