The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) jointly released a draft environmental assessment for the requested Thompson Divide withdrawal in Pitkin as well as Garfield and Gunnison counties for a 30-day public comment period.
“This comment period offers the public an important opportunity to participate in the evaluation of this requested withdrawal,” said Rocky Mountain Regional Forester Frank Beum. “This requested withdrawal of the Thompson Divide area is in response to a strong interest from a diverse stakeholder group, including hunters, ranchers, conservation groups and local governments.”
Last year, the Biden administration announced steps to conserve the Thompson Divide area due to broad concerns about its important wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, grazing lands, and clean air and water. If the withdrawal is approved, the requested action would pull 224,713 acres of USFS and BLM-managed lands from settlement, sale, location or entry under the public land laws; location and entry under the United States mining laws; and leasing under the mineral leasing, mineral materials and geothermal leasing laws for up to 20 years, subject to valid existing rights.
USFS and BLM will host a virtual public meeting from 6-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18. The meeting will include a short presentation explaining the requested withdrawal and draft environmental assessment, a question-and-answer session and information on how to submit public comments.
Register for the virtual public meeting at bit.ly/4878ZFV. To request accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Olivia Blake at 970-200-6195 or olivia.blake@usda.gov.
More information about the requested withdrawal and how to submit comments is available at fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63679. Comments on the draft environmental assessment should be directed to USFS and will be accepted through Jan. 8, 2024.