Red_Chili
Hard Core 4+
The hyper-conservationists are decrying the BLM's preferred alternative C, even though it provides protection for critical habitat and designates areas of critical concern, Wild & Scenic designation for stretches of river, and etc. I can understand concerns about oil & gas development, but listed in their action alerts is language like
I am tired of that kind of language. They would be better served to form coalitions with us as people also interested in preserving wildlands! But enough about that...
Take a moment to shoot off a letter, will ya?
_________________________________________________
Jeremy Casterson
Bureau of Land Management
Little Snake Field Office
455 Emerson Street
Craig CO 81625
Email comments: colsrmp@blm.gov
RE: Little Snake Resource Area management alternatives
Dear Mr. Casterson:
The rugged landscapes and abundant wildlife of the Little Snake Resource Area form a wonderful area and I would like to comment on the draft management plan you are developing.
Of the alternatives proposed, I generally support the BLM's preferred management alternative, Alternative C. This alternative preserves OHV access to these areas, while managing them and preserving areas of special concern. However, I would caution the BLM to limit widespread oil and gas development at the expense of other public values such as the area's important sage grouse habitat and other wild lands.
Whatever plan the BLM adopts, it should include the following provisions to protect the abundant wildlife and undeveloped landscapes of the region, and access to them for all the public:
- Protect Vermillion Basin and other wild lands by closing them to oil and gas drilling, while preserving access to them by off-highway vehicles, so that the public may see and appreciate them, and be all the more motivated to preserve their qualities.
- Limit oil and gas impacts on sage grouse and critical big game habitat by capping surface disturbance at one well per 640 acres, and requiring best management practices including directional drilling.
- Improve off-highway vehicle management by establishing a designated route system for the entire Little Snake Resource Area. This should not eliminate or significantly reduce the size of the proposed Sand Wash ORV unrestricted "play" area; with recent increases in OHV demand by a growing Colorado population, closing OHV access is short-sighted, as increased usage is concentrated on reduced OHV trail/road miles. This shortsightedness serves the public poorly, as well as the environment.
- Designate all 12 eligible Areas of Critical Environmental Concern to protect essential habitat for imperiled plants and prairie dog colonies.
Opening 93% of the Little Snake Resource Area to oil and gas development, as called for in your proposal, is not a balanced approach. The final management plan should preserve the social and economic fabric of the local communities and the wild, open landscapes of the region by placing special areas off-limits to drilling and ensuring that any energy development is done in a phased manner that limits negative impacts to our air, water and wildlife habitat. And preserving OHV access to these areas is part of preserving the social and economic fabric of the local communities.
Thank you for considering my views, and for protecting the unique and wonderful lands of Northwest Colorado, and our access to them. Please keep me advised of your progress in your decisions.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address
I am tired of that kind of language. They would be better served to form coalitions with us as people also interested in preserving wildlands! But enough about that...
Take a moment to shoot off a letter, will ya?
_________________________________________________
Jeremy Casterson
Bureau of Land Management
Little Snake Field Office
455 Emerson Street
Craig CO 81625
Email comments: colsrmp@blm.gov
RE: Little Snake Resource Area management alternatives
Dear Mr. Casterson:
The rugged landscapes and abundant wildlife of the Little Snake Resource Area form a wonderful area and I would like to comment on the draft management plan you are developing.
Of the alternatives proposed, I generally support the BLM's preferred management alternative, Alternative C. This alternative preserves OHV access to these areas, while managing them and preserving areas of special concern. However, I would caution the BLM to limit widespread oil and gas development at the expense of other public values such as the area's important sage grouse habitat and other wild lands.
Whatever plan the BLM adopts, it should include the following provisions to protect the abundant wildlife and undeveloped landscapes of the region, and access to them for all the public:
- Protect Vermillion Basin and other wild lands by closing them to oil and gas drilling, while preserving access to them by off-highway vehicles, so that the public may see and appreciate them, and be all the more motivated to preserve their qualities.
- Limit oil and gas impacts on sage grouse and critical big game habitat by capping surface disturbance at one well per 640 acres, and requiring best management practices including directional drilling.
- Improve off-highway vehicle management by establishing a designated route system for the entire Little Snake Resource Area. This should not eliminate or significantly reduce the size of the proposed Sand Wash ORV unrestricted "play" area; with recent increases in OHV demand by a growing Colorado population, closing OHV access is short-sighted, as increased usage is concentrated on reduced OHV trail/road miles. This shortsightedness serves the public poorly, as well as the environment.
- Designate all 12 eligible Areas of Critical Environmental Concern to protect essential habitat for imperiled plants and prairie dog colonies.
Opening 93% of the Little Snake Resource Area to oil and gas development, as called for in your proposal, is not a balanced approach. The final management plan should preserve the social and economic fabric of the local communities and the wild, open landscapes of the region by placing special areas off-limits to drilling and ensuring that any energy development is done in a phased manner that limits negative impacts to our air, water and wildlife habitat. And preserving OHV access to these areas is part of preserving the social and economic fabric of the local communities.
Thank you for considering my views, and for protecting the unique and wonderful lands of Northwest Colorado, and our access to them. Please keep me advised of your progress in your decisions.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address
I've always wanted to get into NW Colorado to do some explorin'