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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. –The Bureau of Land Management announces a Decision Record to improve wildlife habitat in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area through vegetation treatments.

In partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the BLM will use a combination of mechanical treatments and prescribed fire to remove pinyon and juniper trees. The vegetation treatments will benefit wildlife by reducing encroaching trees from sagebrush shrublands, which are important to a host of wildlife species including mule deer. 

"The projects covered under this analysis represent a component in a much larger landscape-level habitat improvement project," said Jim Garner, a habitat coordinator with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. "Restoring sage brush in this area will not only help mule deer, but a wide variety of other wildlife species. We look forward to working with the BLM, other agencies and non-profit groups to improve wildlife habitat across this landscape."

“We are excited to work with CPW to improve wildlife habitat in the NCA,” said Collin Ewing, National Conservation Area manager. “Many species rely on sagebrush ecosystems for survival and this project will be a huge boost to these important plants and animals.” 

Disruption of natural fire occurrence together with other factors caused pinyon and juniper encroachment throughout the entire NCA.

In keeping with the Administration’s goal of improving hunting opportunities through shared conservation stewardship, CPW and the BLM will focus on improving habitat on the Dry Mesa and Tatum Draw areas of the NCA. 

The signed Decision Record, Finding of No Significant Impact, and Environmental Assessment are available at:  https://go.usa.gov/xnEdp

For more information, please contact Chris Joyner at (970) 210-2126.