Trails closing on Roan Plateau

According to the Post Independent in Glenwood Springs, federal land managers are closing 96 miles of roads and trails to motorized vehicles on and around the Roan Plateau.

The closures are part of a management plan announced in June, but they have been overshadowed by a heated debate over how much drilling to allow on the sprawling,
gas-rich plateau.

The Bureau of Land Management said closing the trails to motorbikes, all-terrain vehicles and other motor vehicles will reduce erosion and improve wildlife habitat. Many of the closed routes parallel other roads or are short spurs to canyons or other
areas.

Steve Gunderson of the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition disputed the assertion that closing some routes would improve habitat.

"There’s a lot of sanctuary up there. That’s the reason people talk about wildlife up there, is because there’s a lot of places for wildlife up there,” he said.

To read the full story, click here.
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Drilling on the Roan

From the AP:

Federal land managers today authorized up to 1,570 new natural gas wells over the next 20 years on the Roan Plateau.

The Bureau of Land Management decision covers 73,602 acres — federal land on the top and sides of the plateau. Some wells have already been drilled on private land.

Some Coloradans, including two congressmen, have called for a moratorium on drilling on the Roan Plateau over concerns about damage to the environment and to hunting and other activities.

To read about wildlife on the plateau, read this story Dave wrote for Out There.

A second decision will be issued after a 60-day comment period on areas considered to have critical environmental concerns, or about 30 percent of the federal land. BLM officials said that decision was delayed because the areas weren’t adequately
described.

BLM spokesman David Boyd said it would likely be six months at the earliest before any leases are offered.