Travel Management for the Lakes Landscape

The Columbine Ranger District is requesting comments on the pre-decisional Lakes Travel Management Environmental Assessment. The analysis area encompasses approximately 67,600 acres of National Forest system lands north of Durango and Bayfield within T36-37N, R5-8W, N.M.P.M. The project area includes the forest lands surrounding Vallecito and Lemon Reservoirs.

The purpose of this proposal is to manage motorized vehicle use within the project area in accordance with the requirements of the 2005 Travel Management Rule. The proposal would designate roads, trails, and areas
open for motorized use and would institute regulations to allow certain recreational use while protecting other resource concerns. The action would prohibit cross-country motorized travel, and would designate what
types of motorized vehicles may legally travel which forest roads, trails, and areas. It would specify where dispersed camping and day use parking would be allowed, and would provide for closures on roads and
trails based on seasonal conditions and/or wildlife concerns.

The pre-decisional Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzes four alternatives in detail, and is available online at:
www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan/projects/projects.shtml . A hard copy can be obtained by calling the Columbine Ranger District at 970-884-2512. After the close of the comment period, the Forest Service will consider the
input received and issue a decision.

The Forest Service will hold an open house at Vallecito Community Center (17252 CR 501) from 6pm-8pm on Monday May 19, 2008. The purpose of the open house is to answer questions about the EA and the alternatives analyzed.

For more information, or for help on how to submit comments, please contact Nancy Berry, Recreation Forester at 970-375-3304, or visit the above website. Public comments will be accepted until Monday, June 9, 2008. Written comments can be mailed to District Ranger, PO Box 439, Bayfield, CO, 81122, or hand-delivered to the Columbine District Office at 367 Pearl Street in Bayfield. Comments may also be e-mailed to:
comments-rocky-mountain-san-juan-columbine@fs.fed.us.

Emails should be submitted in plain text, rich text, or Microsoft Word format in a common font. The sender should receive an automated acknowledgement from the agency as a confirmation of receipt. If the sender does not receive confirmation, it is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely receipt by other means. Comments may be faxed to 970-884-2428 to the attention of Cam Hooley. In addition, oral comments may be provided in person during normal business hours at the Columbine District Office, 367 Pearl
Street, or via telephone to Nancy Berry, 970-375-3304.

Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public
record for this proposed action and will be available for public inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not be eligible to appeal the subsequent decision.