In October BlueRibbon Coalition submitted an official objection to the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests management plan. More than 3 million acres in Colorado will be affected by this forest plan that will direct management decisions for the next 20+ years.
The decision would create new special interest areas to be managed restrictively. 20% of the GMUG forest is already designated Wilderness restricting roads and motorized access.
The final plan expanded Recreation Opportunity Spectrum non-motorized zones. Therefore, BRC objected to more restrictions through this plan that have not been authorized by Congress.
We also have concerns that the plan didn’t adequately analyze the economic impacts that will result from the restrictions.
BRC participated in earlier parts of this planning process and during previous comment periods we facilitated hundreds of comments. BRC will participate in the official objection resolution meeting on February 20th in order to voice our concerns on behalf of our members in hopes to change some aspects of the plan before the final management plan is signed.