Montrose - Daily Press

GUNNISON - Citizen input is sought for a federal proposal to lease land near Waunita Hot Springs to develop geothermal energy.

A workshop begins at 5 p.m. Thursday at Western State College in Gunnison to provide information about geothermal energy development and the potential for geothermal leasing in the area.

An open house will follow so citizens can share information and question officials of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests, as well as the Bureau of Land Management’s Gunnison Field Office.

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Two blocks of land nominated for lease by renewable energy companies encompass nearly 9,000 acres of mostly public land (BLM and Forest Service) in southeastern Gunnison County near Tomichi Dome and the Waunita Hot Springs.

The BLM andForest Service will analyze the environmental effects of leasing the land for geothermal development (and surface occupancy). All of the nominated lands are within occupied Gunnison sage-grouse habitat, and measures may be required to conserve the habitat, including leks in and near the areas. The Gunnison sage-grouse is being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. About 200 acres of the nominated lands are also seasonal habitat for the Canada lynx.

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