When the Trump administration messes with Central Colorado’s public lands, the results are not pretty. Hear what’s happening and what you can do to help protect our “Big Back Yard.” Pikes Peak Group of the Sierra Club Wilderness Chair John Stansfield and Conservation Chair Jim Lockhart discuss multiple planning projects underway, some of which are nearing the end of their public comment period.
The Bureau of Land Management is preparing a resource management plan (RMP) and environmental impact statement to provide comprehensive management direction for all resources and uses within the Royal Gorge Field Office in eastern Colorado. The BLM manages over 650,000 acres of surface land in Eastern Colorado and over 3 million acres of subsurface mineral rights, including “split-estate” lands in which the federal government owns the mineral rights, but private landowners own the surface. Jim and John share some of the details.
The RMP will consider every aspect and impact of federal land use, from air to water to mineral extraction, what areas to protect and what areas are open to exploitation. The final opportunity for citizens to provide comments on the current draft of the plan closes on September 20. Oil production on BLM land in southern Colorado could more than double and natural gas production could more than triple, tripling carbon emissions under one scenario under consideration. See the links section below to review the plan and/or comment.
The BLM is also considering a proposal by the Army at Fort Carson to allow Army training over wildlands managed by the federal government, with helicopters landing on 43 remote sites in Teller, Fremont and Park counties. Jim and John share some of the details. Comments on this proposal are due by September 11th. See the links section below for information and commenting.
The BLM is also working jointly with the U.S. Forest Service on a resource management plan for the new Browns Canyon National Monument. A draft plan and environmental impact statement are expected to be released this Fall. See the links section below for information.
This episode is courtesy of Pikes Peak Group of the Sierra Club. The Pikes Peak Group is part of the Colorado Chapter of the Sierra Club and represents members in the greater Pikes Peak region as well as communities to the east and west of the region. The purpose of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; and to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.
We invite you to join in our events, hikes, and discussions. For more information about the Group’s activities and events, follow Pikes Peak Group of the Sierra Club on Facebook (links below).
LINKS:
BLM Eastern Colorado Resource Management Plan – info and to submit public comments
The public can also mail comments to:
BLM Royal Gorge Field Office
3028 East Main Street
Canon City, CO 81212
Fort Carson High Altitude Mountain Environment Training (helicopter training) – info and to submit public comments
Browns Canyon National Monument Resource Management Plan (draft to be release fall of 2019)
Pike & San Isabel National Forests Motorized Travel Management (MVUM) Analysis
Pikes Peak Group of the Sierra Club
on Facebook
Website
Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Browns Canyon National Monument
UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS:
National Drive Electric Week
September 21, 2019
Wasson Academic Campus
2115 Afton Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
More information, register, volunteer
Green Drinks
Thursday, September 26, 2019
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Energy Resource Center
114 W Rio Grande St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Pikes Peak Environmental Forum
Southern Colorado Dark Skies Initiative
September 27, 2019
Noon to 2 pm
Margarita at Pine Creek
7350 Pine Creek Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Event is free; you buy your lunch
RSVP here; very important
Creek Week 2019
September 28 – October 6, 2019
Largest watershed-wide cleanup in Colorado. All citizens are encouraged to participate individually in a public event or form a Creek Crew of your own! More information here
Environmental Podfest
October 19, 2019, Noon to 4 pm
Stargazers Theatre & Event Center
Join the live audience participating in 3 podcast episodes
The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.
Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future
Pikes Peak Environmental Forum
Pikes Peak Group of Sierra Club
Pikes Peak Library District Green Team
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