United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management
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United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Buffalo Horn Land Exchange DOI-BLM-CO-N05-2017-0009 Public Comments on Preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA) November 2018 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Northwest District White River Field Office 220 East Market St Meeker, CO 81641 PUBLIC REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY EA The BLM made the preliminary environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) available for public review from 5/7/2018 to 6/6/2018. The BLM issued a press release and directly notified interested individuals and organizations on the mailing list through either email or letter. A public meeting was held on 5/23/2018 at the Meeker Public Library to discuss the alternatives and the analysis in the EA. During review of the public comments, the BLM became aware of an oversight in which four individuals on the mailing list had not been directly contacted. The BLM then contacted these individuals and provided them an opportunity to submit comments. PARTICIPANTS The following individuals, businesses, non-governmental entities, and other public agencies attended the public meeting and/or submitted written comments: Albert and Mary Krueger Jim Hancock Joe Guiterrez Alec Spears (Strawberry Creek Outfitters) Allen Matsuda John Bailey (Triple M Land, LLC) Amanda Edinger John Etchart John Kelley Angie Castaldo (Kelleys Guns) Anne Rickenbaugh Josh Horrocks (Colorado Wild Public Lands) Betsy Bair Justin Robinson (Senator Gardner) Bill deVergie Kay Edinger (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) Bill Stewart Kenny Rogers (4M Ranch) Billy Fletcher Kristi Wilson Blaine Galbreath Lonnie Ewer Luke Schafer Blake Harsha (Conservation Colorado) Brian Meinhart Lyle McKee (Representative Tipton) Mark Ferguson Bryce Ducey (Strawberry Creek Land and Cattle LLC) DOI-BLM-CO-N05-2017-0009-EA_Public Comments 1 Buddy Parker Mark Rigatti C. Howes Matt Ward Callie Hendrickson Michael Berg (White River Conservation District) Carlos Estrada Michael Boeckem Carlos Ruiz Michael Friedenberg Casey G. Michael Mcart (LPR Ranch) Chancey Decker Michael W. Jones Chris Dalti Oma Jean Gorman Chris Talbot Pat Ewer Chris Williams Paul Miller Connie Kelley R. Ryan Driskel Cy Kezan Randy Arnold (Tri-State) Reed Kelley Dan Kehrig (Rio Blanco Herald Times) Danna Camblin Richard and William Wise David Hughes Rick Tingle (Rockies Express Pipeline, LLC) (Louisiana Purchase Ranch) Dean Talbot Rick Yeager Rod Owens Dennis Doerr (Elk Ridge) Roy Vannoy Donovan Boudreaux (Vannoy Ranch) Russell and Mary Edith Stacy Farms Earl Stout (Strawberry Creek Outfitters) Estrada Family Ryan Chilvers Evan Coleman Sarah [No Last Name] Franz Froelicher Scott Marshall (Colorado Wild Public Lands) DOI-BLM-CO-N05-2017-0009-EA_Public Comments 2 Freddy Sanchez Shane Edinger Garrett Edinger Shawn Edinger Gary Davis Sheridan Edinger Gary Moyer Si Woodruff (White River Conservation District) (Rio Blanco County Commissioners) Gayle Rogers Soren Jespersen (Crawford Ranch) (The Wilderness Society) Georgia Kofoed Stan Wyatt (Augustus Energy Partners II, LLC) Gian Minoletti Steve and Kim Jordan Grant Edinger Steve LaBau (Buffalo Horn Ranch) Greg Hanberg Steven Allen H. Howard Cooper (Three Crown Ranch, Susie Palmer LLC and Red Wash Ranch, LLC) Hal Blood Tasha Edinger James Spears Thomas Arnold Jason Thompson Toby Garcia Jean Perry Tom Martinez (Colorado Wild Public Lands) Tristan Nielsen Jeff Finn (White River Conservation District) Jeff Musgrave Veronica Ruiz (Western Outdoor Adventures) Jeff OBryant PUBLIC COMMENTS The written comments the BLM received on the preliminary EA are attached in Appendix A. The BLM will respond to public comments in an appendix in the final EA, which will be made available when the BLM issues a decision on the proposed land exchange. NEXT STEPS Before making a decision, the BLM will respond to public comments and request an appraisal from the Department of the Interior’s Appraisal and Valuation Services Office to determine if an DOI-BLM-CO-N05-2017-0009-EA_Public Comments 3 exchange is in the public interest and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including that the exchange is of equal value or can be equalized within the regulatory limits (43 CFR 2201.7-1(a)). Before issuing a decision, the BLM will complete an internal review process which includes reviews by the White River Field Office, Little Snake Field Office, Northwest District Office, Colorado State Office, Regional Solicitor’s Office, and the Washington Office. Once a decision is made to either approve or disapprove an exchange proposal, the BLM must publish and distribute a Notice of Decision (43 CFR 2201.7-1). The Notice of Decision will be published in the Rio Blanco Herald Times and Craig Daily Press as a legal notice. In addition, the BLM will notify the project mailing list and issue a press release. The BLM must also notify the Governor at least 60 days prior to conveyance of public lands. A protest period is available for 45 days following publication of the Notice of Decision. If protests are received, they are addressed by the State Director. Protests may be raised related to the EA or content in the Decision such as the public interest determination or determination of equal value. The State Director’s Decision in response to a protest is appealable to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) in accordance with 43 CFR 4.410. DOI-BLM-CO-N05-2017-0009-EA_Public Comments 4 Appendix A – Copies of Public Comment Letters (Note: Mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers have been redacted.) 8/8/2018 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail - [EXTERNAL] Buffalo horn land exchange WRFO_BHLEX, BLM_CO <[email protected]> [EXTERNAL] Buffalo horn land exchange EARL STOUT Tue, May 8, 2018 at 8:32 PM To: [email protected] I received a emails that says there is a new proposal plan "b". In the new deal the public looses another thousand acres of land that the public will never get back. And the blm calls it the (preferred plan) which is WRONG for the blm to try to sway public opinion in any way on this matter. In my opinion the original proposal is a excellent idea that would benefit the public for years to come. The new plan we loose acres of land and existing agreements can change in time. I think the only people worried about the original proposal are a few guide and outfitters and anybody they can convince to join them. In my opinion the original proposal is the way to go because the land we gain is more accessible to more people elderly people especially. The land we loose is steep poor access and only benefits the people making the most noise over this issue. So I hope you stick with the original plan or scrap the whole plan altogether. https://mail.google.com/mail/b/AELYn1GFDkIls59VT2WPjyAee4ZE7XZ_Vea51RwoGhLhLh2beemX/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3fcfcc5bfb&jsver=dKKOVr-M4GM.e… 1/1 — ..‘,. 3CHNAUZER— An ancient Germanbn L cJI 1 3 C iffeciionate animal with a thick cc diS in acute sense of hearing make i an cxcellenl watchdog. It is — )ften used as a herd,yo or as a mouser in warek —Sxa }ZIM ? 7018 MAY II PH 2: 22 FzZL ::U I Z%o F Wa /4,t& M. / cg7%/ j— 5P4 509-i t. 7.. - e- - 8/8/2018 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail - [EXTERNAL] Proposed Buffalo Horn Land Exchange, support Alternative B WRFO_BHLEX, BLM_CO <[email protected]> [EXTERNAL] Proposed Buffalo Horn Land Exchange, support Alternative B C. Howes Wed, May 16, 2018 at 12:10 AM To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> We the people have spoken. As a land owner in Rio Blanco county, please enact Alternative B. This accomplishes the much-needed better access to Windy Gulch and Black Mountain. https://mail.google.com/mail/b/AELYn1GFDkIls59VT2WPjyAee4ZE7XZ_Vea51RwoGhLhLh2beemX/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3fcfcc5bfb&jsver=dKKOVr-M4GM.e… 1/1 8/8/2018 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail - [EXTERNAL] Land Exchange WRFO_BHLEX, BLM_CO <[email protected]> [EXTERNAL] Land Exchange LaBau, Steve Sun, May 20, 2018 at 10:28 PM To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> I have been hunting the area effected by the proposed land exchange and I believe the status quo is the best and only option. As an out of state Hunter I anticipate that I may discontinue my trips to Colorado if there is a land exchange that takes place. Steve LaBau Eagle, Idaho Sent from my iPad https://mail.google.com/mail/b/AELYn1GFDkIls59VT2WPjyAee4ZE7XZ_Vea51RwoGhLhLh2beemX/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3fcfcc5bfb&jsver=dKKOVr-M4GM.e… 1/1 8/8/2018 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail - [EXTERNAL] Land swap WRFO_BHLEX, BLM_CO <[email protected]> [EXTERNAL] Land swap Evan Coleman Mon, May 21, 2018 at 8:22 PM To: [email protected] Well, it seems the newspaper article and public opinion is swayed toward leaving the land as it is. I'm not completely familiar with the actual geography of the land in question, but it seems to me that alot, some, most ?? of the land currently owned by the Buffalo Horn Ranch is not easily accessible to the public anyway. That in my opion is a big factor, how easily can we access the land the public currently has? I have been up windy gulch area, but haven't ventured to the end- because it's my understanding it dead ends at private land. I prefer to see that area opened up more. A nice place to hit the hills close to town. But like i said i realy don't know the lands in question as well as I should. I see the the 1000 acre trade difference is a problem for people. I guess the powers that be need to decide if the 1,835 acres owned by the ranch is worth more to the public than the 2,815 acres it currently has.