Last week, the San Miguel Basin Forum ran a story titled “Jeep tour is June 8; Pond says rec stands to lose under monument status.” That story received some criticism from the advocates of the proposed national monument along the Dolores River, an issue that has greatly divided the region.
Last week’s story featured the leader of the Halt the Dolores Monument group, Sean Pond, who suggested that people look to Bear’s Ears National Monument for what will happen in the West End. Pond said that the Bears Ears management plan will close access to 1 million acres.
The Forum received a few complaints, and one from Scott Braden, of the Colorado Wildlands Project, said that this point was “completely and verifiably false.” Braden said the Bears Ears National Monument management plan, which includes the travel/route plan, is not complete yet.
“It is still open for draft public comment,” he said. “It will likely be months or a year before the plan is finalized.”
Braden sent the Forum a copy of the Bears Ears Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. That document is available online at eplanning.blm.gov/public_projects/2020347/200531796/20105487/251005487/BENM_DraftRMP-EIS_Vol1_508.pdf.
“In the draft plan, the agency-preferred alternative would close only 3,344 acres to OHV use that are open now, and they propose to close one eight-mile route,” Braden said. “This is for a 1.36-million-acre national monument. The proposed closure represents less than .002% of the monument.”
Braden said that grazing for Bears Ears will also not be largely affected.
“Similarly for grazing, the agency-preferred alternative would close only 29,290 acres to grazing that is open now or prior to monument designation,” he said.
He said that’s an estimated 2% change in grazing availability.
Many in the West End remain concerned about the future of the local landscape, which is home to trails, grazing and mining. Many vehicles driving through town display the Halt the Dolores Monument poster, the same signs that pepper front yards of homes and businesses.
Braden told the Forum advocates are not proposing closure of any specific trails along the Dolores River, especially the Rimrocker Trail.
“Recreation opportunities are one of the values that a monument would seek to protect along with wildlands, wildlife and preserving historical and scientific values,” he said last week.
Comments on the Bears Ears Draft Resource Management Plan are being accepted until June 11. The public is invited to visit the BLM's National Environmental Policy Act register for more information.
The Forum reached out to the BLM’s Monticello, Utah office and spoke with Jared Lundell, of the agency. Lundell said Braden’s statement was “generally correct,” but that the BLM might select another alternative. Lundell said the BLM is obtaining all of the public comment it can get and will be meeting with state and local governments over the next few months. Lundell did say that the eight-mile portion to be closed is in Arch Canyon.
Related to the locally proposed national monument, Senator Michael Bennet will be in Nucla on June 9 at 1 p.m. in the new school. The purpose is for a listening session, so that he can hear the concerns of West End residents. Those with comments should plan to attend.
