Current Status of the Resource Management Plan

The community is awaiting the release of the Proposed Resource Management Plan and Travel Management Plan in the Spring of 2015. These plans are the result of millions of hours of hard work by the community and Grand Junction Field Office of the BLM. The release of the Resource Management Plan (RMP) will detail the 30,000 foot level land management decisions that guide all use plans of the public lands managed by the BLM.

RMP

The release of the RMP will provide updated management direction that reflects the community feedback, research and national management directives for the lands of the Grand Valley. Currently operating under the 1987 RMP, this new management plan will contain significant changes reflective of the significant changes in our populations, the activities, and the resource in the nearly 30 years since the previous plan. With the new plan, trail users and trail organizations will have clear guidance of where trails can be built, the types of experience those trails should reflect, and what priorities have been placed on that experience.

Upon Release

With the release of the Proposed Resource Management Plan, there is a mandatory 30 day “protest period” which has some very specific requirements for participation including having participated in the public comment period. Please note, the RMP protest period is not a time to comment regarding specific trails. Concerns about specific trails can be addressable throughout the life of the RMP and Travel Management Plans.

RMP Podcast

Members of the Grand Junction Field Office of the BLM recently recorded a podcast on Community Radio Station KAFM. Listen in and learn more about the RMP and its release.

RMP History

The Grand Junction Field Office of the BLM has released their Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and accompanying Travel Management Plan. The RMP, when finalized, will be the management plan for BLM lands for the next 20-30 years. Decisions made now will have a significant impact on how public lands are access for recreation and other uses and has the possibility of dramatically altering trail access. To ensure that recreation opportunities in the Grand Valley represent the needs and desires of the community, the public needs to provide the BLM clear and specific feedback during the 90 day comment period that ends April 25th, 2013.

The Resource Management and Travel Management Plans

The Draft RMP currently proposes four alternative management plans with one preferred option. These alternatives present a spectrum of options varying from no change (Alternative A) to a conservation focus (Alternative C) to a development focus (Alternative D) to a blend of conservation and development (Alternative B). It is important to understand that the public is not being asked to choose A, B, C, or D. The BLM wants to hear detailed comments and the public can respond to any of the four alternatives and creating their comments about any specific trail or area designation.

GVTA Coverage of the RMP

The Grand Valley Trails Alliance has been involved in trying to get the word out about what the RMP is, why the public should get involved, and how best to get involved. These efforts include:

GJFO of the BLM Releases Draft RMP

Trails Radio Episode 6: the Draft RMP

Take Action

It is important that citizens that enjoy using public trails and the public in general need to share their thoughts and ideas about the Draft Resource Management Plan and accompanying Travel Management Plan during the 90 day comment period that is scheduled to end April 25th.

Download the RMP Comment Form (PDF) that can be filled out digitally and emailed or printed and mailed. [wpfilebase tag=file id=36 tpl=simple /]

You may also submit a comment to the BLM directly via the following form. A copy of this form submission will be sent directly to the BLM at gjfo_rmp@blm.gov and a copy will be sent to you for your records.

BLM RMP Comment Form

Resources

Below is a collection of downloads related to the RMP and Travel Management Plans.

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RMP Map Set Available

In support of the effort to collect high quality comments from the trails community, the Grand Valley Trails Alliance is working to support individuals and organizations in accessing, understanding and commenting on the RMP and Travel Management Plan. As part of that effort, the GVTA has acquired a complete set of RMP Maps that are available to be reserved and viewed at trail group and public meetings. Availability and reservations of the loaner maps can be requested online.