Public invited to comment on preliminary Sutey Ranch management plan
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SILT, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management today released the preliminary environmental assessment for the Sutey Ranch property for a 30-day public comment period.
The preliminary EA analyzes three possible management alternatives for the 557-acre Sutey Ranch in Garfield County as well as outlines the proposed management for the 112-acre Haines Parcel in Pitkin County. Both properties were acquired through the Sutey Ranch Land Exchange on March 27, 2017.
“The acquisition of these parcels and the development of this associated management plan will result in expanded outdoor recreation and access in the Roaring Fork Valley,” said Acting BLM Colorado River Valley Field Manager Gloria Tibbetts.
The preliminary EA details a wildlife and hunting emphasis alternative, an equestrian access emphasis alternative, and a mountain biking and hiking emphasis alternative for the Sutey property. The final proposed alternative may be a blend of more than one alternative in the preliminary EA.
“The public participation during the scoping period this summer played a key role in shaping these three alternatives,” Tibbetts said. “Public involvement will again be critical as we develop a final proposed alternative. The more specific the comments to the information in the alternatives, the more helpful and effective they will be.”
Proposed management for the Haines parcel will continue to emphasize uses already occurring there. When BLM acquired the Haines parcel from the private landowner, the public was already heavily using an extensive, user-created mountain bike trail network, and cattle had been seasonally grazing the land for decades.
The BLM will be hosting a public open house Oct. 24 from 4 to 7 p.m in Carbondale at the Third Street Center, 520 Third St., to help answer questions and take written comments.
More information about the parcels and the planning process is available at https://go.usa.gov/xnvM5. Comments may be e-mailed to blm_co_sutey_haines_rmpa@blm.
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.
-BLM-
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.