Massive BLM Trail Closures ARE COMING!

The BLM Grand Junction Field Office 

Resource Management Plan/ Travel Management Plan

is preparing to CLOSE YOUR FAVORITE TRAILS

The BLM Grand Junction Field Office has released their Draft Resource Management Plan/ Travel Management Plan for public comment and the Grand Mesa Jeep Club is asking for YOUR help.

Under the RMP/ TMP "preferred alternative", over 70% of the miles of roads and trails currently available to the public will be CLOSED to motorized use.

Under the RMP/ TMP "preferred alternative", nearly 82% of the acreage currently available to the public will be CLOSED to motorized use.

These closures will have an affect on everyone in the Grand Valley and potentially millions from outside the area. (hunters, ATV riders, motor cyclists, equestrians, and even hikers in some instances.

The economic repercussions to the local Grand Junction area will be staggering.  According to the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), motorized recreation provides $141 million in spending to the BLM's Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) each year.  Those $141M support 214 jobs here in the Grand Junction area.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife found that hunting and fishing in Mesa and Garfield counties result in $130,520-M annually and account for 1392 jobs.

Though the numbers don't seem to agree, the point is that recreation in our area is more than a little significant to the local economy.

The Grand Mesa Jeep Club is leading the way in getting the public involved during the Public Commenting Period.  We need YOUR help.

Below is a link to a comment form that can lead you to make “GOOD” comments.  By “GOOD” comments, we mean ones that say what you need to say to make an impact, not just vent your frustration.

This link will take you to a clean form to print and fill out.

https://plus.google.com/114672519029442154864/posts 

You may email your comments to:

gjfo_rmp@blm.gov 

You may also mail your comments to:

BLM – GJFO RMP, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO, 81506

Make a difference!  Tell the BLM you want YOUR trails left open.  Make sure you tell them:

• WHY you want them open
• WHICH ONE(s) you want specifically... if you don't tell them, how will they know?
• Have you used the trail?  
• WHEN did you use it?
• WHAT EXPERIENCE DID YOU HAVE?
• just a day in the country
• a great day with family
• photography
• wildlife viewing
• for the scenery
• whatever reason... but tell them what you experience?
• Do you use the trail often?
• Tell the BLM to:      "Please consider keeping the "name of trail" open in the GJFO 2013 TMP."   
• When asking them to do something, start with the underlined part of the last sentence.

YOUR comments are extremely important.  Make them count!