The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is in the process of developing a management plan for 658,200 acres of surface land in eastern Colorado within the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office. It recently released a document that provides an early look at how it could manage these public lands for the future. The BLM is seeking public comment through May 5th. Following analysis of the comments, the BLM will develop a draft management plan that will later be released for additional public comment.
This early review is a very important opportunity for all those who enjoy target shooting on these lands to let the agency know at this early planning stage how proposed management alternatives (Alternatives A through D) could positively or negatively affect recreation opportunities. Hunting is not affected by any of the Alternatives.
The “Preliminary Alternatives Report and Draft Basis for Analysis” can be reviewed online at: http://on.doi.gov/1HVULcA. Click on “Documents and Reports” in the left hand column. How each of the four Alternatives addresses target shooting is shown in the chart on pages 178 and 179. Other pages addressing target shooting are pages 193, 200, and 340.
Comments may be submitted to the BLM online at [email protected]
Please read the letter of comments submitted by the NRA and seven other national hunting and shooting sports organizations.
Those who recreate on these lands are the most knowledgeable as to how management decisions will shape their own future use of these public lands. Please take the time to review the document and submit your comments to the BLM.