BLM issues final decision for Little Snake management plan

Release Date: October 17, 2011
Craig, CO

Contact: David Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist BLM 970-876-9008

Contact: Matt Anderson, Associate Field Manager/Project Manager BLM 970-826-5072

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The Bureau of Land Management today released the Record of Decision for the Little Snake Resource Management Plan in northwestern Colorado.

The Record of Decision is the final step of an extensive, multi-year effort to develop a Resource Management Plan for the approximately 1.3 million acres of BLM-administered public lands and an additional 1.1 million acres of subsurface mineral estate administered by the Little Snake Field Office in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties.

“There has been extensive public and cooperator involvement throughout this process, which began in 2004,” said Little Snake Field Manager Wendy Reynolds. “We have used this involvement to develop a plan that balances protection of sensitive resources with resource use.”

Major issues include energy and mineral development, transportation and travel management, and wildlife habitat – particularly for sage grouse, mule deer, and elk.  

The Record of Decision carries forward the specific decisions from the Proposed RMP released in August 2010. These decisions include closing the 77,000-acre Vermillion Basin to oil and gas leasing, and an innovative approach to conserve key sagebrush habitat while allowing oil and gas development.

Electronic copies of the Record of Decision are available at http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/lsfo/plans/rmp_revision.html. CDs versions are available at the Little Snake Field Office, 455 Emerson St. in Craig, or by calling (970) 826-5000.

Following the Record of Decision, the Little Snake Field Office will be working on an implementation plan, including a route-by-route travel management designation process.