The Bureau of Land Management has released for public review preliminary alternatives detailing travel management area designations within the 1.5-million acre White River Field Office in northwestern Colorado.

The preliminary alternatives designate which areas within the field office would be open to cross-country motorized and mechanized use, which would be limited to designated routes, and which would be closed to motorized and mechanized vehicles.

“Once we complete these area designations in 2017, we will begin detailed, route-by-route evaluations,” said White River Field Manager Kent Walter. “Our ultimate goal is to identify a comprehensive travel network that provides good public access balanced with protection of sensitive areas and resources.”

The preliminary alternatives are online at http://bit.ly/2aLnDKx.

“Before we begin a detailed analysis of these alternatives through an environmental assessment, we are taking this extra step of asking the public to review them,” Walter said. “In particular, have we included an adequate range of alternatives? Do you see any issues with the alternatives?”

The BLM will host two public open houses about these preliminary alternatives from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 30, in Meeker at the Public Library, 490 Main St.; and Aug. 31, in Rangely at the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation Center, 611 S. Stanolind Ave.

Comments will be most effective if received by Sept. 30, 2016. Comments may be sent to blm_co_wrfo_tmp@blm.gov or by mail to Heather Sauls, BLM White River Field Office, 220 East Market St., Meeker, CO 81641.

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