Daily Press Writer
MONTROSE — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management closed off routes in three areas of the Uncompahgre Plateau last week, pending the completion of a travel management plan.
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“Monitoring is telling us that inappropriate off-route travel is endangering both natural and cultural resources in several areas of the Uncompahgre Field Office, leaving us no choice but to act,” Field Manager Barb Sharrow said in an agency press release.
The affected routes sit to the north of Colo. Highway 90 near Temple Park, to the north and south of Rim Road and on Sims Mesa.
All of the affected areas had been designated open to off-road use under BLM regulations as long as such activity did not damage soil, wildlife, wildlife habitat, vegetation or cultural resources.
Julie Stotler, outdoor recreation planner for the field office, said the agency had seen the creation of illegal routes increase in recent years.
Moreover, the field office’s archaeologist had found new cultural sites in the Spring Creek area.
“They need to be protected until we can address that area in a plan,” Stotler said.
The BLM expects to start the process for its travel management plan in February or March and hopes to complete it within roughly 18 months, Stotler said.
Stotler added that at least five stakeholder groups were included in talks about the route closures.
Stotler said she expected to post closure signs on the routes this week, weather permitting.
The maximum penalties for anyone caught violating the route closures include $1,000 in fines or 12 months jail time.
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