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GUNNISON, Colo. - The Bureau of Land Management is proposing supplementary rules for public lands included in the 2010 Gunnison Basin Federal Lands Travel Management Plan.  These supplementary rules relate to motorized and mechanized (non-motorized) use on public lands managed by the Gunnison Field Office within Gunnison, Montrose, Hinsdale and Saguache Counties.  The BLM is seeking comments on the proposed supplementary rules.

“The proposed rules support resource management and provide for public health and safety” said Brian St. George, BLM Gunnison Field Manager.

The BLM issued a decision on the Travel Management Plan on June 28, 2010. The decision includes specific management actions that define allowable uses and restrict certain activities.  Motorized and mechanized vehicle rules are intended to enhance public safety, protect natural and cultural resources, promote public access and reduce conflicts amongst public land users.  The proposed supplementary rules can be found athttps://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/05/08/2013-10896/notice-of-proposed-supplementary-rules-for-travel-management-on-public-lands-in-gunnison-montrose. The following summary explains how the rules help implement management actions in the Travel Management Plan:

• Stay the trail! When operating a motorized or mechanized vehicle, you must remain on designated routes intended for use by that type of vehicle. 
• Do not operate or possess a motorized or mechanized vehicle in an area designated as closed to such use by a BLM sign or map.

Except when:

• you are using a mechanized game cart for the purpose of  retrieving a large game animal outside of Congressionally-designated Wilderness Areas or Wilderness Study Areas;
• you are using a motorized or mechanized vehicle for the purpose of parking or camping within 30 feet of a designated travel route  or on  existing travel routes within 300 feet of a designated travel route.
• You must not operate or possess a motorized vehicle from March 15 to May 15 in specific areas of priority sage-grouse habitat as designated by a BLM sign or map

Except when:

• you are accessing private inholdings with proper authorization.

Comments must be submitted in writing by Monday, July 8, to the BLM Gunnison Field Office, Attn:  Kristi Murphy, 650 S. 11th Street, Gunnison, CO  81230, by fax (970) 642-4990 or via e-mail to kmurphy@blm.gov.

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment–including your personal identifying information–may be made publicly available at any time.  While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.