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CANON CITY, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking input on a draft business plan for Guffey Gorge. An increasing number of visitors are drawn to Guffey Gorge because of the scenic canyon carved out by Fourmile Creek and its unique, water-based recreation opportunities.  The small size of the area, high visitation and isolated location has resulted in the need for infrastructure and additional services.

“The dramatic increase in visitor use at this site in recent years has caused a number of issues and concerns that need to be addressed,” said Keith Berger, BLM Royal Gorge Field Manager. “We have worked closely with stakeholders and local agencies to develop a strategy that addresses these concerns and still allows the public to enjoy the site.”

Proposed improvements include developing a parking area and installing a permanent toilet,  providing trash receptacles as well as increasing security presence. The draft business plan details the estimated cost of developing and operating the area, as well as a proposed fee the BLM would charge to offset these costs.

For additional information about the fee proposal, or to submit a comment, please contact the Royal Gorge Field Office at (719) 269-8500 or go to http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/planning/guffey_gorge_ea.html. Comments are most helpful if received by May 13, 2016.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.