CITY OF CAÑON CITY'S PROPOSED BAN ON EQUESTRIAN USE - ROYAL GORGE PARK
Quiet recreation is one of the greatest benefits of living in this area. And there certainly are many different kinds of recreation that people can enjoy. Each of these offer financial benefits to our community, health benefits to our citizens, and activities for our children and families. Urban trail systems (somewhat different than backcountry trails), are costly to build (about $3-5 per linear foot) and difficult to maintain, but they are undoubtedly a worthwhile investment. Some trail systems are classified as “multi-use”, meaning that they can be enjoyed by a number of different types of users, including mountain bikers, hikers, runners, and equestrian users. Others are called “purpose-built”, and that means that they have been designed for one specific user group or purpose. But there are important differences between multi-use trail systems and purpose-built. The terrain, intent, soil type, and safety of the users must be taken into consideration when deciding which users should be allowed on trail systems. At the Royal Gorge Park, mountain bikers have advocated for, funded, and helped design a trail system that allow them to build a trail system that is fun, safe, and sustainable for their use. It includes many mountain bike-friendly features including rollers, exposure sections, rock outcroppings, berms, steep drops, and tight corridors. The very nature of those features, however, make the trails unsafe and inappropriate for equestrian use.
There are dozens of miles of trails that ARE appropriate and open to equestrian users across Fremont county. FAR, the City of Cañon City, and BLM have all worked to create trail systems in the area that are open to many different quiet, non-motorized recreation users. There are even places where bikes are NOT allowed, and equestrians can enjoy a relaxed ride, knowing that they will not encounter any fast-moving mountain bikers. (See here for more information.) In fact, this would be one of the only trails (except for a small portion of the Riverwalk) that would be closed to equestrian use. This designation is so that the Royal Gorge Park can be designated as a 'Mountain Bike destination' for riders of all ages and abilities. The trails are what are generally called “purpose-built” trails. This means that they are designed to maximize the full potential of the terrain to accommodate the needs of mountain bikers, hikers, and runners. Other communities in other areas have also designated trail systems as non-equestrian specific, including areas of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Bentonville / Bella Vista, Arkansas. These locations are places where mountain bike riders can engage in fast, relaxed, feature-heavy riding.
Mountain bikers love occasional prolonged steep sections of trail. This allows them to gain speed and enjoy the downhill “flow” that they’ve worked to hard to achieve. (Uphill is fun, but HARD.) Unfortunately, the pressure that a horse – a large animal – puts on a steeper slope is significant. The displacement of the soil, especially in our desert environment, causes degradation to the trail and inherent damage. This is further exacerbated when the trails are moist or muddy. The average footprint wouldn’t make much of a dent, but a 1,000-lb animal can leave unfortunate holes. These holes do NOT enhance the ride of a mountain biker, nor do they offer a desirable surface for trail runners. It is akin to putting speed bumps every 5 feet on a fun ATV trail. It’s like riding / running on a washboard dirt road.
Horse hooves do significantly more damage to trails when muddy. ALL trail users leave marks when mud is present, but only a horse leaves what is called “legacy damage”, or damage that can take months to wear back out. Our desert soil, which includes that at the Royal Gorge, is dense. There isn’t any vegetation like some of the “loamy” trails of the Pacific Northwest or East. It doesn’t “bounce back” when it’s compacted or displaced. Mountain bikers and equestrian riders can all be irresponsible, but bike tire damage is easier to ‘erase’ after a few days or weeks of riding. Hoof prints tend to hold water, go deep, and lead to long-standing potholes.
The safety issues are also worth considering, including areas where the trail is so narrow (due to the nature of exposure) that passing between a large animal and a biker would be dangerous at best. There are also a number of areas where the line of sight is not very long, and a rider coming upon a horse could lead to a troublesome situation. While we (of course) advocate for conscientious riding, there will inevitably be instances where horses and riders meet unexpectedly.
Horses, by many rider’s admission, walk on the outside of a trail. This not only leads to trail widening in places, but also tends to erode the outside of a trail. When that trail is built on a slope, that causes undue erosion. On a large number of trails in the Royal Gorge Park, there are also steep grades, bench-cut areas (where the trail is built into a slope), and portions with significant exposure.
Trailbuilding is both a science and an art. Our trailbuilder, in conjunction with local volunteers and our land managers, has created trails that are designed and built for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking. In the future, we’d like to build additional features and optional lines for bikers that will make the trail system a destination for these kinds of users. The Royal Gorge is a perfect site for such a system as it is close to town, which is important for an urban connection. Trails that use downtown as their “trailhead” help promote economic vitality in the area. They’re also close to homes (and individuals who use them to commute) and local kids ( who don’t have to rely on parental support to get them to Trails).
We wholeheartedly encourage other user groups to explore the idea of building specific trail systems for their use. Red Canyon Park does not currently feature trails, and this would be a great opportunity for other user groups to advocate for, help fund, and build additional mileage in the greater Cañon City area. Disallowing one user group allows for another user group to enjoy stress-free riding on their own terms and without the added danger of encountering conflicting users. FAR has no plans for future trails in this area.
While some may argue that it's not prudent to cater to a "special-interest" group, it is worth noting that other facilities and recreational amenities have been build for other user groups in the area. Pathfinder park's arena is a great example of a facility that was built for one particular group who did a great job of advocating for their needs. It is wonderful, we think, that certain groups can advocate for and see through to completion projects that benefit individual groups. We'd like to see the Royal Gorge Park as an example of a great human-powered, quiet recreation trail system.
We encourage all users to share trails responsibly, and that often means encountering equestrian users on other trails. Be nice, say “hi”, and be sure to get off your bike if the horseback rider requests it. Some horses spook easily, and others are seasoned professionals. (Some probably react better toward a rattlesnake than some of us!) Always carry and use a bell when rounding blind corners, and slow down when your line of sight is shallow. Not all trails are built equally, but WE are.
There are dozens of miles of trails that ARE appropriate and open to equestrian users across Fremont county. FAR, the City of Cañon City, and BLM have all worked to create trail systems in the area that are open to many different quiet, non-motorized recreation users. There are even places where bikes are NOT allowed, and equestrians can enjoy a relaxed ride, knowing that they will not encounter any fast-moving mountain bikers. (See here for more information.) In fact, this would be one of the only trails (except for a small portion of the Riverwalk) that would be closed to equestrian use. This designation is so that the Royal Gorge Park can be designated as a 'Mountain Bike destination' for riders of all ages and abilities. The trails are what are generally called “purpose-built” trails. This means that they are designed to maximize the full potential of the terrain to accommodate the needs of mountain bikers, hikers, and runners. Other communities in other areas have also designated trail systems as non-equestrian specific, including areas of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Bentonville / Bella Vista, Arkansas. These locations are places where mountain bike riders can engage in fast, relaxed, feature-heavy riding.
Mountain bikers love occasional prolonged steep sections of trail. This allows them to gain speed and enjoy the downhill “flow” that they’ve worked to hard to achieve. (Uphill is fun, but HARD.) Unfortunately, the pressure that a horse – a large animal – puts on a steeper slope is significant. The displacement of the soil, especially in our desert environment, causes degradation to the trail and inherent damage. This is further exacerbated when the trails are moist or muddy. The average footprint wouldn’t make much of a dent, but a 1,000-lb animal can leave unfortunate holes. These holes do NOT enhance the ride of a mountain biker, nor do they offer a desirable surface for trail runners. It is akin to putting speed bumps every 5 feet on a fun ATV trail. It’s like riding / running on a washboard dirt road.
Horse hooves do significantly more damage to trails when muddy. ALL trail users leave marks when mud is present, but only a horse leaves what is called “legacy damage”, or damage that can take months to wear back out. Our desert soil, which includes that at the Royal Gorge, is dense. There isn’t any vegetation like some of the “loamy” trails of the Pacific Northwest or East. It doesn’t “bounce back” when it’s compacted or displaced. Mountain bikers and equestrian riders can all be irresponsible, but bike tire damage is easier to ‘erase’ after a few days or weeks of riding. Hoof prints tend to hold water, go deep, and lead to long-standing potholes.
The safety issues are also worth considering, including areas where the trail is so narrow (due to the nature of exposure) that passing between a large animal and a biker would be dangerous at best. There are also a number of areas where the line of sight is not very long, and a rider coming upon a horse could lead to a troublesome situation. While we (of course) advocate for conscientious riding, there will inevitably be instances where horses and riders meet unexpectedly.
Horses, by many rider’s admission, walk on the outside of a trail. This not only leads to trail widening in places, but also tends to erode the outside of a trail. When that trail is built on a slope, that causes undue erosion. On a large number of trails in the Royal Gorge Park, there are also steep grades, bench-cut areas (where the trail is built into a slope), and portions with significant exposure.
Trailbuilding is both a science and an art. Our trailbuilder, in conjunction with local volunteers and our land managers, has created trails that are designed and built for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking. In the future, we’d like to build additional features and optional lines for bikers that will make the trail system a destination for these kinds of users. The Royal Gorge is a perfect site for such a system as it is close to town, which is important for an urban connection. Trails that use downtown as their “trailhead” help promote economic vitality in the area. They’re also close to homes (and individuals who use them to commute) and local kids ( who don’t have to rely on parental support to get them to Trails).
We wholeheartedly encourage other user groups to explore the idea of building specific trail systems for their use. Red Canyon Park does not currently feature trails, and this would be a great opportunity for other user groups to advocate for, help fund, and build additional mileage in the greater Cañon City area. Disallowing one user group allows for another user group to enjoy stress-free riding on their own terms and without the added danger of encountering conflicting users. FAR has no plans for future trails in this area.
While some may argue that it's not prudent to cater to a "special-interest" group, it is worth noting that other facilities and recreational amenities have been build for other user groups in the area. Pathfinder park's arena is a great example of a facility that was built for one particular group who did a great job of advocating for their needs. It is wonderful, we think, that certain groups can advocate for and see through to completion projects that benefit individual groups. We'd like to see the Royal Gorge Park as an example of a great human-powered, quiet recreation trail system.
We encourage all users to share trails responsibly, and that often means encountering equestrian users on other trails. Be nice, say “hi”, and be sure to get off your bike if the horseback rider requests it. Some horses spook easily, and others are seasoned professionals. (Some probably react better toward a rattlesnake than some of us!) Always carry and use a bell when rounding blind corners, and slow down when your line of sight is shallow. Not all trails are built equally, but WE are.
Temple Canyon / Section 13 Land Use Issues
We'd like to make our supporters aware of two new land use issues, both initiated by Zephyr Minerals. Please take a few moments to review the following information and make your concerns heard by writing letters / emails to the appropriate individuals.
#1 - Application for Change of Use - Grape Creek State Trust Land
The State Land Board will meet on Thursday, April 11th in Denver to determine if they will grant a proposed lease to Zephyr Minerals on Grape Creek - Horseshoe Mountain. The State Land Board has released their agenda, which includes detailed information regarding Zephyr's process, plan, and also environmental impact issues. It can be found here. Here are important highlights:
#1 - Application for Change of Use - Grape Creek State Trust Land
- What are State Trust Lands? The Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners (State Trust Lands) is the 2nd largest landowner in CO. They manage 3 million acres (4 million sub-surface acres) that are sometimes leased for agriculture, grazing, recreation, commercial real estate, rights of way, renewable energy, oil, gas, and solid minerals – depending on what use each parcel has been evaluated for.
- Land generates more than $100 million annually to help support BEST Grants.
- The Grape Creek - Horseshoe Mountain area is currently designated as a State Stewardship area, which only permits “uses that will protect and enhance the beauty, natural values, open space and wildlife habitat of those lands” (Colorado State Land Board).
- Zephyr is asking for exploration rights - to include “airborne geophysical mapping and geological mapping as well as surface sampling. This would be followed by ground exploration and drilling,” (Zephyr lease application). If they find gold or minerals, they would then need to apply for sub-surface extraction.
- Potential damage includes drinking water pollution and visual pollution
- Comment period ended Dec 15, 2018.
- The proposed new mineral lease application will be presented to the State Land Board (in Denver) at its April 11, 2019 meeting.
- Comments should be directed to the address below.
- We are suggesting that our supporters write that we do NOT wish for the State Trust Land Board to change the designation of this parcel. IT SHOULD REMAIN as a stewardship area that is closed to mining and exploration
The State Land Board will meet on Thursday, April 11th in Denver to determine if they will grant a proposed lease to Zephyr Minerals on Grape Creek - Horseshoe Mountain. The State Land Board has released their agenda, which includes detailed information regarding Zephyr's process, plan, and also environmental impact issues. It can be found here. Here are important highlights:
- This lease would allow for "targeted drilling to test prospective mineral targets". If mineral deposits are identified and are economically feasible, Zephyr will undergo detailed mining and reclamation plans which will also need to be approved.
- The State Land Board, which designated this parcel as "Stewardshop Parcel" in 1998, has now recommended the parcel for new lease terms, citing that "The proposed mining lease presents a unique opportunity for the Board to learn the value of the subsurface mineral assets under the Grape Creek-Horseshoe Mountain property," states the proposal.
- The lease would mean "no surface occupancy, except for a small amount of surface disturbance associated with mine safety features such as ventilation pipes, estimated to be less than one acre. For purposes of exploration activities such as drilling core holes, Zephyr plans to move equipment with a helicopter. As a result, no access roads will be constructed on state trust land. The drilling equipment used for exploration will be placed on a wooden platform approximately 20 feet by 30 feet in size, which minimizes surface disturbance. To minimize impacts to wildlife, Zephyr agreed to timing restrictions that limit activity to only four months of the year (July 1 - October 31)." (State Land Board Agenda) The following stipulations have also been proposed:
- Staff carefully reviewed these natural values, the property’s Stewardship Trust Management Plan, and comments received from CPW, SHPO, and the public to develop the following Stewardship Stipulations that will minimize potential impacts on the state trust land subject to the proposed lease:
- Any/all plans for exploration, mining, and reclamation on state trust land will be submitted for review and approval by the State Land Board. No activities are allowed until approval is communicated to lessee in writing.
- Only underground mining methods will be allowed.
- No surface occupancy, except for an area up to one acre to accommodate required safety features such as a ventilation shaft. Total surface disturbance will not exceed one acre.
- No surface disturbance will be allowed within 500 feet of Grape Creek.
- No new roads will be allowed.
- All proposed plans for surface disturbance are subject to State Land Board review and approval. Lessee will submit plans involving surface disturbance to Staff prior to submittal of applications to permitting agencies.
- No disposal of mining wastes, including tailings, may occur on state trust land.
- Lessee will conduct biological surveys for rare plant species in any part of the property where surface disturbance is contemplated. Best management practices that will protect any identified species will be approved by Staff to avoid negative impacts associated with surface disturbance.
- Lessee will consult with CPW prior to any surface disturbance and incorporate CPW recommendations into operation plans, including seasonal closures and restrictions to protect sensitive species during breeding, spawning, and nesting seasons.
- Lessee shall conduct baseline studies of cultural, archeological, historic, and paleontological resources prior to commencing any exploration activities that may disturb the surface and develop mitigation plans to protect any identified resources.
- Only native seed mixes may be used to establish vegetation. Staff approval of the seed mix is required prior to the start of reclamation activities.
- Lessee will prepare and implement a plan to treat and prevent the spread of noxious weeds on any surface land disturbed under this lease.
(All from State Land Board Meeting Agenda, April 11, 2019)
- Staff carefully reviewed these natural values, the property’s Stewardship Trust Management Plan, and comments received from CPW, SHPO, and the public to develop the following Stewardship Stipulations that will minimize potential impacts on the state trust land subject to the proposed lease:
#2 - Application for Modification of Claim - Section 13
- Currently, on adjacent land, Zephyr is operating on a “Notice for exploration”, which is managed under the Mining Law Surface Management regulations
- They are asking for a modification of a current claim to now include Section 13 area (yes, the Section 13 that we hike and bike), which is BLM Land
- This claim is specifically for gold mining
- There has been some previous mining exploration in this area already
- Sentinel Road (see map) appears to intersect Hot Shots Trail (Section 13 / South Cañon Trails)
- Comment period ends on December 12th (BLM has until the 18th to review and respond)
- We would like to suggest that no road to come within 200 feet of any existing recreational trail.
- Letters should be addressed to Colorado Division of Natural Resources:
- Timothy A. Cazier
Environmental Protection Specialist
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
1313 Sherman Street, Room 115, Denver, CO 80203
[email protected]
- Timothy A. Cazier
Update: 4/9/2019
Zephyr has responded to concerns, and has stated that "The proposed Sentinel Road may cross an existing recreation trail during the summer and early fall of 2019. The exact timing will be determined after the Colorado State Land Board Meeting hearing on April 11, 2019 and the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety board meeting on April 24, 2019. Zephyr commits to providing the requested detail no less than 30 days prior to any disturbance." (EAI Letter in response to request for information dated March 1, 2019)
Update: 4/26/2019
Zephyr has submitted a new application, per the Colorado Division of Mining and Safety's concerns. The new application nearly tripples the size of the application area.
Zephyr has submitted a new application, per the Colorado Division of Mining and Safety's concerns. The new application nearly tripples the size of the application area.
Due to the proximity to Grape Creek and the fact that this area is Wilderness Study area (designed to preserve wildlife, ecological, and backcountry characteristics), we feel that this application should be denied. Our public spaces, including Temple Canyon Park's adjacent landscape, should be kept free from the intrusion of mining operations.
Important Points:
The application itself: https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/drms/0/edoc/1300257/2020-04-13_PERMIT%20FILE%20-%20P2020002.pdf?blm_aid=22391
What is a Wilderness Study Area?: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/wilderness
Our (public) comments are as follows:
Mr. Tim Cazier
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety
[email protected]
April 26, 2020
Brian VanIwarden
Fremont Adventure Recreation
As an organization dedicated to advancing trails and outdoor recreation in Fremont County, we are no strangers to the procedures necessary to introduce new projects on BLM lands. We work with local land managers, often the BLM, to create trail systems that allow individuals to responsibly access their public lands. We recognize that any intrusion into wild places has an effect on the ecology, watershed, and wildlife population. But we always operate with appropriate land use in mind and are proud to coordinate our efforts to determine the best use for all.
It is with these efforts in mind that we would like to express our opposition to the mining exploration application submitted by Zephyr Minerals.
Our Grape Creek watershed (the upper and lower portions having been designated as a Wilderness Study area in 1980) is one of the most pristine and important in our area. From the BLM’s own website, it states that, “The appeal of wilderness for recreation is strong, and wilderness areas are seeing steadily increasing use from people who wish to experience freedom from fast-paced industrialized society” (BLM, https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/wilderness, April 26, 2020). Adding industrial use to this area would be counter-productive to the current preferred use of this area. Backcountry recreational activities could and likely will be negatively affected by the introduction of mining exploration and, eventually, active extraction. Our partners and outfitters that guide fishing trips through this area have indicated that they believe the area would be negatively impacted, thereby inhibiting their ability to provide quality backcountry experiences for their guests. As these outfitters are a crucial part of our local economy, we defer to their understanding of the area and support their concern. While this area has seen historic mining use, we feel that this is an opportunity to repair and reduce those lasting impacts and allow natural reclamation of prior offences to the land.
As a direct tributary of the Arkansas River, Grape Creek’s protection and preservation is of the utmost importance to our community – both recreation, economic, and otherwise. We find it unnerving that the application submitted suggests that the applicants will be allowed not only to pipe water from the creek, but will also (by default) be within operating distance from the creek (though the application states that activities will stay 400 feet from the creek). Though this may be only an expropriative application, we feel that any disturbance, operations with heavy machinery, and / or pumping could prove destructive to the health of the creek and river.
Since the area is designated as a Wilderness Study Area and also an Area of Environmental Concern, we would like to see the integrity of these designations upheld. Disturbances such as helicopter flights, platforms built within the permit area, and also drilling, should not be allowed in these locations. Not only do wildlife in this area (including but not limited to mule deer, mountain lion, black bear, various small mammals, wild turkey, and trout) deserve the absence of these annoyances, but the recreation users (anglers, hikers, etc.) in the area also should be allowed to continue to access this area without noise pollution and impeded viewshed. Mining activity could “impair its suitability for designation as wilderness” (BLM, https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/wilderness, April 26, 2020). If not even a bicycle is allowed in a wilderness study area, then helicopters should not be, either.
While no trails would be directly impacted by this particular application, we find that an approval would be inconsistent with the precedent that should be set. Wilderness designations for the protection of the land, wildlife, and backcountry experiences should be upheld in this case and others.
We hope that our close-to-home BLM office will recognize the inconsistent nature of this request and adhere to the objectives of the Wilderness Study Areas and Areas of Environmental Concern for these two areas.
Best,
Brian VanIwarden
Director, Fremont Adventure Recreation
joinFAR.org
Important Points:
- Zephyr is a Canadian company and profits will NOT stay in our County, as opposed to dollars from fishing outfitters and toursists who come for our incredible views and scenic areas
- Grape Creek (see map, below) is a Wilderness Study Area. What does that mean? From the BLM webiste: Wilderness protects the habitat of numerous wildlife species and provides a source of clean water. It has long been used for science and education, providing sites for field trips, study areas for student research, and serving as a source of instructional examples. The appeal of wilderness for recreation is strong, and wilderness areas are seeing steadily increasing use from people who wish to experience freedom from fast-paced industrialized society.
- While Zephyr states that there will be “no surface disturbance”, they will be constructing platforms to drill holes in the ground, they will be using a drill rig and water pump, and they will be flying all that material in with helicopters. From their application, “gasoline and diesel fuel will be stored in 45 gallon drums. Drill rig lubricants will be stored in 5 gallon containers [...] on the rig platform.
- Zephyr states that they will observe a “setback” 500 feet from Grape creek. But they will be pumping water from Grape Creek that they are leasing from the Upper Arkansas WAter Conservation District.
The application itself: https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/drms/0/edoc/1300257/2020-04-13_PERMIT%20FILE%20-%20P2020002.pdf?blm_aid=22391
What is a Wilderness Study Area?: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/wilderness
Our (public) comments are as follows:
Mr. Tim Cazier
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety
[email protected]
April 26, 2020
Brian VanIwarden
Fremont Adventure Recreation
As an organization dedicated to advancing trails and outdoor recreation in Fremont County, we are no strangers to the procedures necessary to introduce new projects on BLM lands. We work with local land managers, often the BLM, to create trail systems that allow individuals to responsibly access their public lands. We recognize that any intrusion into wild places has an effect on the ecology, watershed, and wildlife population. But we always operate with appropriate land use in mind and are proud to coordinate our efforts to determine the best use for all.
It is with these efforts in mind that we would like to express our opposition to the mining exploration application submitted by Zephyr Minerals.
Our Grape Creek watershed (the upper and lower portions having been designated as a Wilderness Study area in 1980) is one of the most pristine and important in our area. From the BLM’s own website, it states that, “The appeal of wilderness for recreation is strong, and wilderness areas are seeing steadily increasing use from people who wish to experience freedom from fast-paced industrialized society” (BLM, https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/wilderness, April 26, 2020). Adding industrial use to this area would be counter-productive to the current preferred use of this area. Backcountry recreational activities could and likely will be negatively affected by the introduction of mining exploration and, eventually, active extraction. Our partners and outfitters that guide fishing trips through this area have indicated that they believe the area would be negatively impacted, thereby inhibiting their ability to provide quality backcountry experiences for their guests. As these outfitters are a crucial part of our local economy, we defer to their understanding of the area and support their concern. While this area has seen historic mining use, we feel that this is an opportunity to repair and reduce those lasting impacts and allow natural reclamation of prior offences to the land.
As a direct tributary of the Arkansas River, Grape Creek’s protection and preservation is of the utmost importance to our community – both recreation, economic, and otherwise. We find it unnerving that the application submitted suggests that the applicants will be allowed not only to pipe water from the creek, but will also (by default) be within operating distance from the creek (though the application states that activities will stay 400 feet from the creek). Though this may be only an expropriative application, we feel that any disturbance, operations with heavy machinery, and / or pumping could prove destructive to the health of the creek and river.
Since the area is designated as a Wilderness Study Area and also an Area of Environmental Concern, we would like to see the integrity of these designations upheld. Disturbances such as helicopter flights, platforms built within the permit area, and also drilling, should not be allowed in these locations. Not only do wildlife in this area (including but not limited to mule deer, mountain lion, black bear, various small mammals, wild turkey, and trout) deserve the absence of these annoyances, but the recreation users (anglers, hikers, etc.) in the area also should be allowed to continue to access this area without noise pollution and impeded viewshed. Mining activity could “impair its suitability for designation as wilderness” (BLM, https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/wilderness, April 26, 2020). If not even a bicycle is allowed in a wilderness study area, then helicopters should not be, either.
While no trails would be directly impacted by this particular application, we find that an approval would be inconsistent with the precedent that should be set. Wilderness designations for the protection of the land, wildlife, and backcountry experiences should be upheld in this case and others.
We hope that our close-to-home BLM office will recognize the inconsistent nature of this request and adhere to the objectives of the Wilderness Study Areas and Areas of Environmental Concern for these two areas.
Best,
Brian VanIwarden
Director, Fremont Adventure Recreation
joinFAR.org
BLM Oil & Gas Lease Sale of Area Surrounding South Cañon Trails
It has just recently come to our attention that a parcel of land (dubbed 8423) will be up for an oil and gas lease in a March 2019 BLM Colorado Oil & GAS Lease Sale. This parcel is located on the BLM lands between the Dawson Ranch neighborhood and Canon City's Temple Canyon Mountain Park. This parcel covers recently developed trails that were completed in conjunction with CPW and BLM, to provide local recreational trail systems. The Hard Time and Section 13 trails all fall directly within the boundary of the parcel, while the Redemption and The Great Escape trails are located immediately adjacent to the parcel. A portion of Temple Canyon Road runs directly through the parcel. This means that these trails and Temple Canyon Road could be directly effected by the lease and drilling activities within this parcel. It could also mean that the drilling and additional vehicle traffic (due to potential exploration or extraction) could cause safety and environmental concerns (i.e. noise, dust, light, visual impacts, burn-off, etc.) to recreational users, Dawson Ranch residents, and others on Temple Canyon Road.
A Lease Sale begins when an Expression of Interest is submitted to the BLM Colorado State Office (COSO). Recently a yet-unkown entity expressed interest in parcel 8423. After the Expression of Interest is submitted, COSO sends a list of the parcels to the local BLM field office, who then conducts an preliminary analysis. Now that this analysis has been completed and the parcel has been approved for further consideration, the public is invited to comment on the potential lease sale. This can be done online through the BLM’s website and may express personal, environmental, recreational, economic, or other concerns.
The BLM will then begin work on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document, which outlines potential environmental concerns to vegetation and wildlife. This parcel, like many others, has stipulations attached to it (which can be viewed here) that will be of particular concern. In the case of the Temple Canyon property, an Environmental Assessment will be conducted. (For reference, EAs were conducted for the trail systems as well, as far back as 2009.)
When the EA is drafted, it will be posted for public comment. The EA can then be adjusted according to comments. It is then finalized with the sale team at the state office, the sale notice is posted, and there is a protest period. Protests are reviewed at the state office, the sale is held, and bids are received. The sale of the Temple Canyon area will ostensibly happen in March of 2019. A lease is then issued to the winning bidder, who then has 10 years to develop the land.
Your comments are important! Individual parcels can be deferred from the current lease sale. This will not close the parcel to future leasing, but it can defer the process until further review and commenting can occur. Please visit the BLMs Public Comment website to voice your concerns (Click on the 'Comment on Document' button next to 'RGFO_Scoping_Parcel_List_&_Map' . The public comment period ends on Tuesday, October 16. Fremont Adventure Recreation is opposed to the oil and gas lease on parcel 8423 based on the multitude of trails within the parcel and those immediately outside the boundary. We consider oil and gas development of this parcel incompatible with the scenic, environmental, and recreational resources of the area.
Please feel free to review the following information and statements, and use them (if you’d like) to craft your own response to the Oil & Gas Lease Sale. (Thank you to the Colorado Mountain Club for this verbiage.)
Talking Points:
Sample Letter: This letter is to express concerns regarding Parcel 8423 proposed in the March 2019 BLM Colorado Oil & Gas Lease Sale. The parcel sits directly on top of recreational trails in the South Canon City / Ecology Park area and development would cause direct negative impacts to hiker, mountain bikers and equestrians. These trails- including Upper Hard Times, Redemption, The Great Escape, and Section 13 Loops – are heavily used by both residents and visitors across the state. Oil and Gas development would bring major impacts including noise, traffic, dust, light, and viewshed degradation. Currently the trail system offers a quiet, non-motorized user experience which would be severely disrupted by development in the area. Increased traffic on the Temple Canyon road would also cause safety concerns for users accessing the trails by bike, parking at trailheads, and crossing the road to connect Section 13 with other trails. The parcel is also in very close proximity to Grape Creek – a pristine area with abundant Wilderness characteristics – that would be negatively impacted by this development.
A Lease Sale begins when an Expression of Interest is submitted to the BLM Colorado State Office (COSO). Recently a yet-unkown entity expressed interest in parcel 8423. After the Expression of Interest is submitted, COSO sends a list of the parcels to the local BLM field office, who then conducts an preliminary analysis. Now that this analysis has been completed and the parcel has been approved for further consideration, the public is invited to comment on the potential lease sale. This can be done online through the BLM’s website and may express personal, environmental, recreational, economic, or other concerns.
The BLM will then begin work on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document, which outlines potential environmental concerns to vegetation and wildlife. This parcel, like many others, has stipulations attached to it (which can be viewed here) that will be of particular concern. In the case of the Temple Canyon property, an Environmental Assessment will be conducted. (For reference, EAs were conducted for the trail systems as well, as far back as 2009.)
When the EA is drafted, it will be posted for public comment. The EA can then be adjusted according to comments. It is then finalized with the sale team at the state office, the sale notice is posted, and there is a protest period. Protests are reviewed at the state office, the sale is held, and bids are received. The sale of the Temple Canyon area will ostensibly happen in March of 2019. A lease is then issued to the winning bidder, who then has 10 years to develop the land.
Your comments are important! Individual parcels can be deferred from the current lease sale. This will not close the parcel to future leasing, but it can defer the process until further review and commenting can occur. Please visit the BLMs Public Comment website to voice your concerns (Click on the 'Comment on Document' button next to 'RGFO_Scoping_Parcel_List_&_Map' . The public comment period ends on Tuesday, October 16. Fremont Adventure Recreation is opposed to the oil and gas lease on parcel 8423 based on the multitude of trails within the parcel and those immediately outside the boundary. We consider oil and gas development of this parcel incompatible with the scenic, environmental, and recreational resources of the area.
Please feel free to review the following information and statements, and use them (if you’d like) to craft your own response to the Oil & Gas Lease Sale. (Thank you to the Colorado Mountain Club for this verbiage.)
Talking Points:
- Parcel 8423 proposed in the March 2019 BLM Colorado Oil & Gas Lease Sale
- Impacted trails: Upper Hard Times, Redemption, The Great Escape, and Section 13 Loops
- Importance of recreation: local users, visitors, economic development
- Negative impacts: Noise, dust, light, increased traffic on Temple Canon Road, viewshed degradation
- Proximity to Grape Creek
Sample Letter: This letter is to express concerns regarding Parcel 8423 proposed in the March 2019 BLM Colorado Oil & Gas Lease Sale. The parcel sits directly on top of recreational trails in the South Canon City / Ecology Park area and development would cause direct negative impacts to hiker, mountain bikers and equestrians. These trails- including Upper Hard Times, Redemption, The Great Escape, and Section 13 Loops – are heavily used by both residents and visitors across the state. Oil and Gas development would bring major impacts including noise, traffic, dust, light, and viewshed degradation. Currently the trail system offers a quiet, non-motorized user experience which would be severely disrupted by development in the area. Increased traffic on the Temple Canyon road would also cause safety concerns for users accessing the trails by bike, parking at trailheads, and crossing the road to connect Section 13 with other trails. The parcel is also in very close proximity to Grape Creek – a pristine area with abundant Wilderness characteristics – that would be negatively impacted by this development.