News 3

Valle Seco Appraisals To Be Updated and Roadless Area Decision Issued

San Juan National Forest representatives announced to Colorado Wild Public Lands (CWPL) and San Juan Citizens Alliance (the two primary objectors to the Valle Seco land exchange) on March 9 that the Colorado Roadless Area (CRA) decision has been made contingent upon the exchange approval, and that the exchange appraisals were to be “reconsidered”. Reasoning for the appraisal reconsideration was explained as attempting to address CWPL’s concerns that the original appraisals —originally completed in August 2020— are outdated and do not reflect current real estate markets.

CWPL believes any modification to CRA boundaries as a part of this exchange is arbitrary and unsupported. A removal of strong land protections and transferral of those lands to private interests in order to complete a land exchange is in the opposite of public interest. Check out the CRA decision here.

Valle Seco Land Exchange Updates

The San Juan National Forest issued the Valle Seco Land Exchange Final Environmental Assessment; the Draft Decision Notice and the Finding of No Significant Impact, on September 24, 2021. COWPL has submitted its formal objection to this Draft Decision,which can be found here.

Additionally, COWPL has submitted multiple requests through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain appraisals for the land proposed for conveyance under this exchange. Due to continued lack of USFS transparency, COWPL filed a formal FOIA complaint seeking access to the appraisals in order to appropriately assess public interest, or lack thereof. See the complaint here. We are still awaiting the appraisals, but have received correspondence and records relating to the processing of COWPL's previous FOIA requests for the appraisal.

GMUG Plan Comments Submitted

The U.S. Forest Service requested comment on their further planning for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) Forest Plan Revision. Click here to see COWPL comments on this revision.

Blue Valley Land Exchange FEIS

COWPL has submitted comments on the BLM's Final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Blue Valley Ranch Land Exchange by the deadline of August 2, 2021. The proposal would privatize the last remaining three public parcels to create almost 15 miles of privately owned Blue River-front, a gold medal trout stream. In exchange there are descriptions of a river park near Kremmling, a public access easement on the river, and a hiking access near Green Mountain Reservoir. 1,489 acres of BLM-managed land would be conveyed from Federal ownership to the Blue Valley Ranch in exchange for 1,832 acres of non-Federal lands.

Citizens Discuss COWPL Protest Of Buffalo Horn Land Exchange

Follow link to read more.

Guide To Voting In Colorado General Election

On (or before) Tuesday November 3, please vote in the United States General Election. Your vote is crucial.

Colorado Wild Public Lands (COWPL) has prepared a concise guide on how to get registered and to vote in Colorado. See it here.