Canyons of the Ancients National Monument seeks comments on proposal to increase access to South Sand Canyon trails

Organization:

BLM Colorado State Office

BLM Office:

Tres Rios Field Office

Media Contact:

DOLORES, Colo. - The Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office is requesting public comments on a proposal to construct a new trailhead/parking area and connector trail for the South Sand Canyon trail system, about 13 miles west of Cortez within Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.

The proposed parking area provides additional public access to some of the most popular hiking areas within Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, with over 18,000 visitors each year. The new parking area would be located on County Road G in McElmo Canyon and east of the current parking area. The new area could accommodate up to nine passenger vehicles and three vehicles with horse trailers. Additionally, a proposed trailhead would provide access to the existing Sand Canyon Trail and parking area by way of a new one-half mile connector trail. The proposed parking area along with the existing parking area would allow about 30 vehicles to safely park for continued access to the area. 

The BLM welcomes and values your diverse views on this project. To review the project information or to submit comments electronically go to https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa_register.do. Comments on the project should be submitted by Oct. 10, 2017, to the BLM Tres Rios Field Office, Attn: Keith Fox, 29211 Hwy. 184, Dolores, CO 81323 or emailed tokfox@blm.gov.

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised 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 from public review your personal identifying information, 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.