BLM seasonal road closures in effect

MONTROSE — The Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office and the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area are implementing seasonal road closures on approximately 17,570 acres within the Gunnison sage-grouse “area of critical environmental concern,” or ACEC, located in and adjacent to the Gunnison Gorge NCA.

Under the annual closures, C-77, Black Ridge, and Red Canyon Road are closed to motorized and mechanical uses from Dec. 1 through April 30. Signing will be used to notify the public of closures in these key access areas.

The closures are intended to protect the sensitive Gunnison sage-grouse and its habitat, reduce stress and disturbance to wintering deer and elk herds, and protect soils from excessive erosion and damage.  Areas affected by the road closures include portions of Black Ridge and Fruitland Mesas east of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness, west of the Black Canyon Road, south of the Smith Fork drainage, and north of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

All of the affected areas continue to be open to non-motorized recreation such as hiking and horseback riding.

For additional information, contact the BLM at  240-5300.