The Bureau of Land Management’s Royal Gorge Field Office has issued a decision on a camping and travel management plan for Chaffee County.
This decision is based on the results of an environmental assessment and input from the public.
The results of a preliminary environmental assessment were presented for public comment in October of 2022. Agency staff reviewed public comments then used them to refine the document and reach a final decision.
The decision addressed routes in areas without a travel management plan by establishing designated routes to reduce impacts to resources and continue to provide public access. The decision also introduces improved management to provide camping in designated sites in the 38,000-acre area along with robust monitoring. The installation of fire rings and site delineators, as well as increased education and outreach on camping ethics and regulations, will help accommodate increased demand while also reducing the environmental impact of that demand.
“Balancing public input with the long-term health and sustainability of public lands requires consideration of impacts to resources and frank discussions with the public,” said Royal Gorge Field Office Manager Keith Berger. “Through that process, we think we’ve put together a plan that manages to do both.”
The final plan, environmental assessment, and the decision record are available at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2012291/510.
