Early Spring Public Lands Update
Spring is ramping up here in the high country, and with the promise of warmer weather I’m sorting camping gear, dusting off the lenses of my birding binoculars, and planning for summer public lands adventures. But in the meantime, I wanted to provide you with some updates and upcoming opportunities concerning our public lands.
Comments Needed on GMUG Draft Forest Plan by November 12
There’s one month left to submit comments on the Draft GMUG Forest Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) is asking all of our members and supporters to comment today to help shape the future of our incredible National Forest lands.
Community Action Needed! Attend Tuesday’s Virtual Gunnison Ranger District Open House
On Tuesday, September 28, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, the Forest Service’s Gunnison Ranger District will host a virtual open house to discuss the GMUG’s draft forest plan and its alternatives. High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) is asking all of our members and supporters who care about the future of the Gunnison National Forest to attend and speak up on behalf of wilderness, wildlife, and sustainable recreation.
Attention Boaters, Anglers, and Water Rats: Wild & Scenic River Comments Needed
During the forest planning process, the public has the opportunity to weigh in on the unique qualities of our local creeks and rivers and to comment on whether certain segments are eligible for inclusion in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System.
Draft forest plan flops among conservationists
Conservation advocates this week began digesting the more than 1,300 pages of documents that make up the U.S. Forest Service draft plan for much of the Western Slope. The plan includes detailed environmental impact analyses and reams of source materials. But even a cursory look yielded a warning sign for many groups: a dramatic increase in the amount of land designated as “suitable timber” for logging.
Draft forest plan for GMUG soliciting public comment
The long awaited draft revision plan for the Grand Mesa, Uncompaghre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest was released last week on August 13 and the public will have 90 days to make comments on the proposal. The plan is the major guiding document on how things like recreation, logging and wildlife are managed on the nearby national forests.
KBUT: Matt Reed says new GMUG Forest plan needs public input.
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forest totals just short of 3 million acres across Colorado’s Western Slope. Once certified the new Forest Plan, which is open for public comment thru Nov. 12, will guide the GMUG decision for decades. Matt Reed wants the public to know how they can get involved, and talks about areas where he thinks the plan needs improvement.
Groups Urge More Wilderness in GMUG National Forests' Draft Plan
The U.S. Forest Service has released its draft management plan for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests. The plan includes a significant increase in the amount of land that would be available for logging, and groups that advocate for public lands are raising concerns that it recommends only 34,000 acres of new wilderness across the forest.
GMUG releases draft forest plan for public review
The U.S. Forest Service has released its draft revised plan for managing the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, an action likely to be followed by intensified debate over how things such as logging, recreation and wildlife habitat should be managed on those forests in coming years.
The GMUG Draft Revised Forest Plan is Here!
At long last, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest published its draft revised forest plan and draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) today. This initiates a 90-day comment period that will conclude on November 11th, 2021. This is a critical opportunity for YOU to submit comments to the Forest Service…
Upcoming GMUG Webinars & Virtual Open Houses
The GMUG national forest is excited to host a virtual webinar series to provide an introduction to the Draft Forest Plan. We will give an overview of the planning process and the plan alternatives on Tuesday August 17th and delve deeper into key issues identified by the public on Thursday August 19th. Your questions and feedback are welcome. Additionally, dates have been selected for virtual open houses in September.
A ‘generational’ opportunity
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest has a dubious distinction: they are managed under one of the oldest forest plans in the country, dating back to 1983. That means the document guiding decisions on 1.2 million acres of public lands in Gunnison County ignores the changing climate, the dominant uses of recreation and Colorado’s shift away from extractive industries.
Upcoming GMUG's Draft Forest Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Love trees and forests? Then we encourage you to participate in the upcoming 90-day comment period for the GMUG's Draft Forest Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The Forest Service will publish the draft revised forest plan and draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on Friday August 13th, 2021. This will initiate a formal 90-day comment period that will conclude on November 11th, 2021.