BLM seeks public comment on proposed land exchange in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties
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MEEKER, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a preliminary environmental assessment of a proposed land exchange in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties that could consolidate public lands and increase public access for hunting and other recreation.
“The BLM will only go forward with a land exchange if it is in the public’s interest, and public involvement is a key piece of determining public interest,” said BLM White River Field Manager Kent Walter.
The preliminary EA and maps are available at https://go.usa.gov/xnW2y.
The preliminary environmental assessment of proposed Buffalo Horn Land Exchange, in which only surface estates would be exchanged, analyzes three alternatives. Land exchanges are based on land value, so the acreages exchanged differ.
Alternative A is the original proposal announced for the public scoping period in December 2016, where the BLM would acquire three parcels totaling 4,036 acres in exchange for 16 isolated parcels of BLM lands totaling 3,806 acres.
The preferred alternative, Alternative B, would convey 14 parcels of Federal lands totaling approximately 2,815 acres in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties for one non-Federal parcel in Rio Blanco County totaling 1,835 acres. The BLM modified the proposal for this alternative to address concerns heard during public scoping about existing hunting access on public parcels and existing surface use agreements on private land.
Alternative C is the no action alternative in which no lands are exchanged.
The BLM will hold a public open house meeting on May 23, 2018, at the Meeker Public Library, 490 Main St., from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to provide information and accept written comment.
The BLM will accept public comments through June 6, 2018. Comments may be submitted by email to blm_co_wrfo_bhlex@blm.govor by mail to BLM WRFO, Land Exchange Comments, 220 East Market St., Meeker, CO 81641.
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.
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.