DOCSLIB.ORG

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests DRAFT Forest Assessments: Land Status, Ownership, Use, and Access Patterns November 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests DRAFT Forest Assessments: Land Status, Ownership, Use, and Access Patterns November 2017 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests DRAFT Forest Assessments: Land Status, Ownership, Use, and Access Patterns November 2017 View of a private mining claim in the Uncompahgre Wilderness acquired by the GMUG in 2015 (on right side of river). In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected] (link sends e-mail). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests DRAFT Forest Plan Assessments: Lands Contents Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ i Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 Key Issues ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Summary of Public Input ........................................................................................................................... 1 Use of Best Available Science .................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2. Condition and Trends .............................................................................................................. 2 Ownership/Status Condition &Trends ....................................................................................................... 2 Landownership ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Land Status ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Conservation Easements ....................................................................................................................... 6 Access Conditions and Trends .................................................................................................................. 7 Conditions .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Trends .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Information Gaps ................................................................................................................................... 9 Use Trends .............................................................................................................................................. 10 Chapter 3. Sustainability .......................................................................................................................... 11 Environmental Sustainability of Land Status and Ownership, Use, and Access Patterns ...................... 11 Economic Sustainability of Land Status and Ownership, Use, and Access Patterns ............................. 11 Social Sustainability of Land Status and Ownership, Use, and Access Patterns ................................... 12 Chapter 4. Current Forest Plan and its Context within the Broader Landscape ................................ 12 Existing Forest Plan Management Direction ........................................................................................... 12 Landownership Adjustment and Rights-of-Way Acquisition ................................................................ 12 Non-Recreation Special Use Management ......................................................................................... 13 Issues in the Broader Landscape ............................................................................................................ 14 Chapter 5. Potential Need for Plan Changes to Respond to Land Status and Ownership, Use, and Access Pattern Issues .............................................................................................................................. 14 References Cited ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Appendix: Maps ........................................................................................................................................ 16 i USDA Forest Service List of Tables Table 1. Acres of private, state, and NFS ownership within the plan area ..................................................................... 3 Table 2. Acres of inholdings and NFS lands within wilderness and other designated areas .......................................... 4 Table 3. Count of isolated NFS parcels by size range ................................................................................................... 5 Table 4. Total acres of isolated NFS parcels by size range ........................................................................................... 5 Table 5. Segments of NFSR crossing non-NFS inholdings without documented rights-of-way on GMUG .................... 8 Table 6. Miles of NFSR crossing non-NFS inholdings without documented rights-of-way on GMUG ............................ 8 List of Maps Map 1. Basic ownership ............................................................................................................................................... 16 Map 2. Potential disposal parcels (San Juans GA) ...................................................................................................... 17 Map 3. Potential disposal parcels (Crested Butte) ....................................................................................................... 18 Map 4. Potential disposal parcels (Pitkin) .................................................................................................................... 19 Map 5. Open space and connectivity ........................................................................................................................... 20 Map 6. Major points of access...................................................................................................................................... 21 ii Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests DRAFT Forest Plan Assessments: Lands Chapter 1. Introduction This assessment describes how land status, ownership, use, and access patterns influence the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG, or plan area) and how management of the plan area may influence land use and access in the plan area and beyond. Key Issues The key issues related to land status and ownership, use, and access patterns within the plan area are prioritizing lands for acquisition or disposal to best meet the needs the forest and adjacent communities in light of limited resources to pursue these transactions, prioritizing and securing access to the plan area in the face of a growing trend of access across private inholdings being lost, ensuring that non-recreation special uses minimally encumber the forest and minimally restrict resource management options while still allowing important economic development, and resolving trespasses and encroachments in the plan area. Summary of Public Input Those most likely to be affected by or interested in this topic are municipalities or communities within or adjacent to the plan area, owners of private land within or adjacent to the plan area concerned with access and special uses, and members of the public concerned with access to the plan area. The planning team received public input with respect to access during the summer of 2017, including emails, electronic and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Statement of Dan Gibbs Executive Director Colorado Department Of
    Statement of Dan Gibbs Executive Director Colorado Department of Natural Resources Before The Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands of The House Natural Resources Committee April 2, 2019 Chairwoman Haaland, Ranking Member Young, and Members of the Subcommittee: On behalf of Governor Polis and the State of Colorado, we appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony on the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act (H.R. 823). We strongly support the CORE Act and hope Congress will move swiftly to enact it. Governor Polis would have liked to be here today with his former colleagues to express his strong support for this legislation. As you know, as a member of Congress, Governor Polis had sponsored the Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act, which has now been incorporated into the broader CORE Act. Introduction This legislation—the product of years of collaboration among elected officials, businesses, community members, and a myriad of other interested and affected stakeholders across Colorado—would protect some of the most beloved public lands in Colorado for their unsurpassed recreation, scenery, wildlife, watersheds, historic, and other unique values. As the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, I support this bill because it will benefit our wildlife by protecting critical habitat and migration corridors; it will protect the outstanding recreational experiences that bring people from across Colorado—and the world—to these special places; it will help safeguard Colorado’s water resources by protecting key watersheds and all water rights; it strikes the right balance by protecting key public lands from development, while protecting all existing mineral rights and leaving other appropriate lands available for mining, oil, and gas development; and because it complements the values and opportunities associated with our state lands.
    [Show full text]
  • Profiles of Colorado Roadless Areas
    PROFILES OF COLORADO ROADLESS AREAS Prepared by the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region July 23, 2008 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 2 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ARAPAHO-ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST ......................................................................................................10 Bard Creek (23,000 acres) .......................................................................................................................................10 Byers Peak (10,200 acres)........................................................................................................................................12 Cache la Poudre Adjacent Area (3,200 acres)..........................................................................................................13 Cherokee Park (7,600 acres) ....................................................................................................................................14 Comanche Peak Adjacent Areas A - H (45,200 acres).............................................................................................15 Copper Mountain (13,500 acres) .............................................................................................................................19 Crosier Mountain (7,200 acres) ...............................................................................................................................20 Gold Run (6,600 acres) ............................................................................................................................................21
    [Show full text]
  • Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests DRAFT Wilderness Evaluation Report August 2018
    United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests DRAFT Wilderness Evaluation Report August 2018 Designated in the original Wilderness Act of 1964, the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness covers more than 183,000 acres spanning the Gunnison and White River National Forests. In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.
    [Show full text]
  • Uncompahgre Valley Public Lands Camping Guide
    Uncompahgre Valley Public Lands Camping Guide Photo by Priscilla Sherman How to Use this Guide Camping in the Montrose Area Inside this guide you will find maps and descriptions Camping season is generally from Memorial Day of public lands campgrounds and camping areas in the Un- weekend through Labor Day weekend. However, weather is compahgre Valley region of Colorado. Located on pages 6 always a factor in opening and closing campgrounds. Some and 7 of the guide is a map and table listing each campgrounds open before or remain open after these dates campground and its facilities. Using the map, you will be with limited services, meaning water may be shut off and able to easily see which page of the guide has more garbage collection may have stopped for the season. It is information about each individual campground. advisable to check with the local public lands office for In the first few pages of the guide, you will find current conditions before starting your trip. general information about camping. This information Please keep in mind during the camping season some includes topics such as facilities, amenities, fees, passes, stay campgrounds may be full either by reservations or on a first- limits, pets, general camping rules, dispersed camping, and come first-served basis. motorized transportation. This guide was updated in 2016, so be aware that features can change. Enjoy camping on Plan Ahead YOUR public lands! This guide offers only basic information on roads, trails, and campgrounds. The Montrose Public Lands Center offers more detailed information on current conditions of trails and roads, travel restrictions, campground opening and closing dates, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Summits on the Air – ARM for USA - Colorado (WØC)
    Summits on the Air – ARM for USA - Colorado (WØC) Summits on the Air USA - Colorado (WØC) Association Reference Manual Document Reference S46.1 Issue number 3.2 Date of issue 15-June-2021 Participation start date 01-May-2010 Authorised Date: 15-June-2021 obo SOTA Management Team Association Manager Matt Schnizer KØMOS Summits-on-the-Air an original concept by G3WGV and developed with G3CWI Notice “Summits on the Air” SOTA and the SOTA logo are trademarks of the Programme. This document is copyright of the Programme. All other trademarks and copyrights referenced herein are acknowledged. Page 1 of 11 Document S46.1 V3.2 Summits on the Air – ARM for USA - Colorado (WØC) Change Control Date Version Details 01-May-10 1.0 First formal issue of this document 01-Aug-11 2.0 Updated Version including all qualified CO Peaks, North Dakota, and South Dakota Peaks 01-Dec-11 2.1 Corrections to document for consistency between sections. 31-Mar-14 2.2 Convert WØ to WØC for Colorado only Association. Remove South Dakota and North Dakota Regions. Minor grammatical changes. Clarification of SOTA Rule 3.7.3 “Final Access”. Matt Schnizer K0MOS becomes the new W0C Association Manager. 04/30/16 2.3 Updated Disclaimer Updated 2.0 Program Derivation: Changed prominence from 500 ft to 150m (492 ft) Updated 3.0 General information: Added valid FCC license Corrected conversion factor (ft to m) and recalculated all summits 1-Apr-2017 3.0 Acquired new Summit List from ListsofJohn.com: 64 new summits (37 for P500 ft to P150 m change and 27 new) and 3 deletes due to prom corrections.
    [Show full text]
  • Page 1517 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1131 (Pub. L
    Page 1517 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1131 (Pub. L. 88–363, § 10, July 7, 1964, 78 Stat. 301.) Sec. 1132. Extent of System. § 1110. Liability 1133. Use of wilderness areas. 1134. State and private lands within wilderness (a) United States areas. The United States Government shall not be 1135. Gifts, bequests, and contributions. liable for any act or omission of the Commission 1136. Annual reports to Congress. or of any person employed by, or assigned or de- § 1131. National Wilderness Preservation System tailed to, the Commission. (a) Establishment; Congressional declaration of (b) Payment; exemption of property from attach- policy; wilderness areas; administration for ment, execution, etc. public use and enjoyment, protection, preser- Any liability of the Commission shall be met vation, and gathering and dissemination of from funds of the Commission to the extent that information; provisions for designation as it is not covered by insurance, or otherwise. wilderness areas Property belonging to the Commission shall be In order to assure that an increasing popu- exempt from attachment, execution, or other lation, accompanied by expanding settlement process for satisfaction of claims, debts, or judg- and growing mechanization, does not occupy ments. and modify all areas within the United States (c) Individual members of Commission and its possessions, leaving no lands designated No liability of the Commission shall be im- for preservation and protection in their natural puted to any member of the Commission solely condition, it is hereby declared to be the policy on the basis that he occupies the position of of the Congress to secure for the American peo- member of the Commission.
    [Show full text]
  • High Country Climbs Peaks
    HighHig Countryh Country Cl iClimbsmbs The San Juan Mountains surrounding Telluride are among Colorado’s most beautiful and historic peaks. This chapter records some of the Telluride region’s most classic alpine rock routes. Warning: These mountain routes are serious undertakings that should only be attempted by skilled, experienced climbs. Numerous hazards—loose rock, severe lightning storms, hard snow and ice and high altitudes—will most likely be encountered. Come Prepared: An ice axe and crampons are almost always necessary for the approach, climb or descent from these mountains. Afternoon storms are very common in the summertime, dress accordingly. Loose rock is everpre- sent, wearing a helmet should be considered. Rating Mountain Routes: Most routes in this section are rated based on the traditional Sierra Club system. Class 1 Hiking on a trail or easy cross-country Class 2 Easy scrambling using handholds Class 3 More difficult and exposed scrambling, a fall could be serious Class 4 Very exposed scrambling, a rope may be used for belaying or short-roping, a fall would be serious Class 5 Difficult rockclimbing where a rope and protection are used Route Descriptions: The routes recorded here are mostly long scrambles with countless variations possible. Detailed route descriptions are not pro- vided; good routefinding skills are therefore required. Routes described are for early to mid-summer conditions. The Climbing Season: Climbers visit these mountains all year, but the main climbing season runs from June through September. Late spring through early summer is the best time, but mid-summer is the most popular. Less snow and more loose rock can be expected in late summer.
    [Show full text]
  • Rocky Mountain Region 2 – Historical Geography, Names, Boundaries
    NAMES, BOUNDARIES, AND MAPS: A RESOURCE FOR THE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATES THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION (Region Two) By Peter L. Stark Brief excerpts of copyright material found herein may, under certain circumstances, be quoted verbatim for purposes such as criticism, news reporting, education, and research, without the need for permission from or payment to the copyright holder under 17 U.S.C § 107 of the United States copyright law. Copyright holder does ask that you reference the title of the essay and my name as the author in the event others may need to reach me for clarifi- cation, with questions, or to use more extensive portions of my reference work. Also, please contact me if you find any errors or have a map that has not been included in the cartobibliography ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In the process of compiling this work, I have met many dedicated cartographers, Forest Service staff, academic and public librarians, archivists, and entrepreneurs. I first would like to acknowledge the gracious assistance of Bob Malcolm Super- visory Cartographer of Region 2 in Golden, Colorado who opened up the Region’s archive of maps and atlases to me in November of 2005. Also, I am indebted to long-time map librarians Christopher Thiry, Janet Collins, Donna Koepp, and Stanley Stevens for their early encouragement and consistent support of this project. In the fall of 2013, I was awarded a fellowship by The Pinchot Institute for Conservation and the Grey Towers National Historic Site. The Scholar in Resi- dence program of the Grey Towers Heritage Association allowed me time to write and edit my research on the mapping of the National Forest System in an office in Gifford Pinchot’s ancestral home.
    [Show full text]
  • SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST Baldy (20,300 Acres)
    SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST Baldy (20,300 acres) ....................................................................................................................... 3 Blackhawk Mountain (17,500 acres) .............................................................................................. 4 East Animas (16,900 acres) ............................................................................................................ 5 Fish Creek (13,500 acres) ............................................................................................................... 6 Florida River (5,700 acres) ............................................................................................................. 8 Graham Park (17,800 acres) ........................................................................................................... 9 HD Mountains (25,000 acres) ....................................................................................................... 11 Hermosa (148,100 acres) .............................................................................................................. 13 Lizard Head Adjacent (5,800 acres) ............................................................................................. 16 Piedra Area Adjacent (40,800 acres) ............................................................................................ 17 Runlett Park (5,600 acres) ............................................................................................................. 20 Ryman (8,700 acres) ....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Eagle's View of San Juan Mountains
    Eagle’s View of San Juan Mountains Aerial Photographs with Mountain Descriptions of the most attractive places of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains Wojtek Rychlik Ⓒ 2014 Wojtek Rychlik, Pikes Peak Photo Published by Mother's House Publishing 6180 Lehman, Suite 104 Colorado Springs CO 80918 719-266-0437 / 800-266-0999 [email protected] www.mothershousepublishing.com ISBN 978-1-61888-085-7 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Printed by Mother’s House Publishing, Colorado Springs, CO, U.S.A. Wojtek Rychlik www.PikesPeakPhoto.com Title page photo: Lizard Head and Sunshine Mountain southwest of Telluride. Front cover photo: Mount Sneffels and Yankee Boy Basin viewed from west. Acknowledgement 1. Aerial photography was made possible thanks to the courtesy of Jack Wojdyla, owner and pilot of Cessna 182S airplane. Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2 2. Section NE: The Northeast, La Garita Mountains and Mountains East of Hwy 149 5 San Luis Peak 13 3. Section N: North San Juan Mountains; Northeast of Silverton & West of Lake City 21 Uncompahgre & Wetterhorn Peaks 24 Redcloud & Sunshine Peaks 35 Handies Peak 41 4. Section NW: The Northwest, Mount Sneffels and Lizard Head Wildernesses 59 Mount Sneffels 69 Wilson & El Diente Peaks, Mount Wilson 75 5. Section SW: The Southwest, Mountains West of Animas River and South of Ophir 93 6. Section S: South San Juan Mountains, between Animas and Piedra Rivers 108 Mount Eolus & North Eolus 126 Windom, Sunlight Peaks & Sunlight Spire 137 7. Section SE: The Southeast, Mountains East of Trout Creek and South of Rio Grande 165 9.
    [Show full text]
  • High Peaks Wilderness Complex Unit Management Plan
    Department of Environmental Conservation Office of Natural Resources - Region 5 High Peaks Wilderness Complex Unit Management Plan Wilderness Management for the High Peaks of the Adirondack Park March 1999 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation George E. Pataki, Governor John P. Cahill, Commissioner HIGH PEAKS UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN FINAL DRAFT TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE ................................................. 1 NEED FOR A PLAN .......................................... 3 MANAGEMENT GOALS ....................................... 4 SECTION I INTRODUCTION TO THE HIGH PEAKS WILDERNESS COMPLEX AREA OVERVIEW ...................................... 7 UNIT DESCRIPTIONS ................................... 7 Ampersand Primitive Area .............................. 7 Johns Brook Primitive Corridor .......................... 8 High Peaks Wilderness ................................ 8 Adirondack Canoe Route ............................... 8 BOUNDARY .......................................... 8 PRIMARY ACCESS ...................................... 9 SECTION II BIOPHYSICAL RESOURCES GEOLOGY ............................................10 SOILS ...............................................11 TERRAIN .............................................13 WATER ..............................................13 WETLANDS ...........................................16 CLIMATE ............................................16 AIR QUALITY .........................................17 OPEN SPACE ..........................................17 VEGETATION
    [Show full text]
  • An Environmental History of the Kawuneeche Valley and the Headwaters of the Colorado River, Rocky Mountain National Park
    An Environmental History of the Kawuneeche Valley and the Headwaters of the Colorado River, Rocky Mountain National Park Thomas G. Andrews Associate Professor of History University of Colorado at Boulder October 3, 2011 Task Agreeement: ROMO-09017 RM-CESU Cooperative Agreement Number: H12000040001 Table of Contents Acknowledgements i Abbreviations Used in the Notes iv Introduction 1 Chapter One: 20 Native Peoples and the Kawuneeche Environment Chapter Two: 91 Mining and the Kawuneeche Environment Chapter Three: 150 Settling and Conserving the Kawuneeche, 1880s-1930s Chapter Four: 252 Consolidating the Kawuneeche Chapter Five: 367 Beaver, Elk, Moose, and Willow Conclusion 435 Bibliography 441 Appendix 1: On “Numic Spread” 477 Appendix 2: Homesteading Data 483 Transcript of Interview with David Cooper 486 Transcript of Interview with Chris Kennedy 505 Transcript of Interview with Jason Sibold 519 i Acknowledgements This report has benefited from the help of many, many people and institutions. My first word of thanks goes to my two research assistants, Daniel Knowles and Brandon Luedtke. Both Dan and Brandon proved indefatigable, poring through archival materials, clippings files, government reports, and other sources. I very much appreciate their resourcefulness, skill, and generosity. I literally could not have completed this report without their hard work. Mark Fiege of Colorado State University roped me into taking on this project, and he has remained a fount of energy, information, and enthusiasm throughout. Maren Bzdek of the Center for Public Lands History handled various administrative details efficiently and with good humor. At the National Park Service, Cheri Yost got me started and never failed to respond to my requests for help.
    [Show full text]