BLM Seasonal Road Closures in Effect Dec. 1 within the Uncompahgre Field Office and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
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MONTROSE, Colo. - On Tuesday, Dec. 1, the Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office and the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area will implement seasonal road closures within the Gunnison Sage-grouse Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
Under the annual closures, C-77 (Green Mountain), Black Ridge and Red Canyon Road are closed to motorized and mechanical uses effective immediately through May 15, 2016.
The closures are intended to protect sensitive Gunnison Sage-grouse habitat, reduce stress and disturbance to wintering deer and elk herds and protect soils from excessive erosion and damage. Areas affected by the road closures include portions of Black Ridge and Fruitland Mesas east of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness, west of the Black Canyon Road, south of the Smith Fork drainage and north of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. All of the affected areas will remain open to non-motorized recreation such as hiking and horseback riding.
Additional closures to ensure big game habitat is protected include routes within the Dry Creek Travel Management Area west of Montrose, the Ridgway Travel Management Area north of Ridgway, Burn Canyon Travel Management Area west of Norwood and the Lone Cabin Road near Crawford. These closures also begin Dec. 1, 2015, and range in expiration from Mar. 31 to April 30, 2016.
“We’ve posted maps on the website, at the Montrose Public Lands Center and at the Montrose Visitor Center to help people understand where the closures are and the types of travel that are allowed within the closures,” said Sara Dawson, BLM Uncompahgre Acting Field Manager.
For additional information and a complete list of closures, go to http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ufo.html or contact the Uncompahgre Field Office at 970-240-5300.
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.