BLM starts public scoping period for adding trails to the Buena Vista Trails System
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CANON CITY, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office is starting a public scoping period on a proposal to add new trails to the Fourmile Area outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. The BLM estimates the area saw 32,000 visits in 2002. That number has dramatically grown to an estimated 132,000 annual visitors now. The considerable increase in visitation has resulted in more pressure on the existing network. Trends in recreation have also changed, particularly the demand for purpose-built mountain bike trails and communities seeking close-to-town trails as a desired amenity for economic development and quality of life.
At the request of several different local recreation groups, the BLM is proposing modifications to the trail network in the Fourmile Area to address these changes in visitation and recreation trends. This includes constructing desired connections between trails, adding additional trails to increase the diversity of experiences and creating logical loops that are easy to navigate for visitors.
The trail and road network in this area was originally established in the 2002 Fourmile Travel Management Plan developed in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service. The purpose of that planning effort was to ‘provide reasonable public access… and reverse the trend of degraded watersheds.’ This effort has been highly successful in achieving its goals, thanks in large part to active community groups.
Specific details about the project, including description of the proposed new trails, maps and digital files, are available on the Royal Gorge Field Office webpage at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/planning.html.
A scoping period gives the public a chance to tell the BLM what issues and concerns they think should be addressed in an environmental assessment and alternatives to consider before the BLM begins drafting the document. This scoping period will run from October 2, 2015, to November 13, 2015. Comments concerning the proposed action, alternatives and identification of environmental issues are most helpful. For additional information or to submit a comment, please contact Linda Skinner at 719-269-8732 or email comments to rgfo_comments@blm.gov. Please put Buena Vista Trails in the subject line.
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.