Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Trails topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BLM, county discuss Phil’s World trail reroutes; NEPA adequacy used, motorized mileage reduced
Summary
BLM representatives told commissioners reroutes at Phil’s World will preserve east-west connectivity but reduce motorized single-track mileage by about 1.5 miles; the agency said it used a determination of NEPA adequacy and an MOU with the State Historic Preservation Office to address outstanding Section 106 concerns.
A Bureau of Land Management representative briefed the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 24 about proposed trail reroutes at the Phil’s World recreation area and the agency’s steps to address previously incomplete historic-preservation consultation.
“Due to that, we came up with this plan, to for the reroutes. What you have in orange there, is what we would close. And what is in green is what we would construct,” a BLM presenter said, describing a map of proposed closures and new trail construction. The BLM said the proposal maintains east–west connectivity and loop options for motorized users while resulting in an overall reduction of about 1.5 miles of motorized single-track in that area.
The presenter said the BLM completed an agreement — a memorandum of understanding with the State Historic Preservation Office — to mitigate impacts tied to cultural-resource surveys and outstanding Section 106 (historic-preservation) consultation from an earlier Phil’s World expansion. The agency said it used a determination of NEPA adequacy, tiered to the original Environmental Assessment, so the reroutes do not trigger a separate full EA public-participation process because the potential need for reroutes was anticipated in the original analysis.
The BLM said reroutes of mechanized (nonmotorized) single-track were developed in coordination with the Southwest Colorado Cycling Association and that the cycling group supports the proposed changes. The agency also said it sought to identify alternate motorized opportunities elsewhere (for example, work completed in the Mud Springs area) but could not find a one-for-one replacement for the reduced mileage in Phil’s World.
BLM staff said the decision will likely be signed in the next few weeks and that implementation work is planned for the coming summer, using Southwest Conservation Corps crews and funding through a state off-highway-vehicle (OHV) grant. County commissioners asked whether the reroutes would affect the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde race; BLM staff said the race route would not be affected and that the changes might even provide new trail opportunities in future seasons.
The presenter also briefed the commission on the local effects of recent BLM workforce actions, saying one probationary employee had been terminated and one realty specialist hire was lost because the agency missed a hiring cutoff date. Staff warned those personnel changes could slow completion of NEPA work and realty actions that affect rights-of-way and access, including projects tied to Gunnison sage-grouse habitat in the Disappointment Valley area.
Commissioners asked questions about the mileage reduction and the availability of other motorized opportunities; the BLM said alternatives had been considered in prior planning rounds and in nearby areas.
