Jumbo Mountain Comprehensive Travel Management Plan
DOI-BLM-CO-S050-2023-0015-EA
Welcome to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Uncompahgre Field Office's Jumbo Mountain Special Recreation Management Area Comprehensive Travel and Transportation Management Plan (DOI-BLM-CO-S050-2023-0015-EA). This interactive story map will provide interested individuals and organizations the ability to acquaint themselves with the project area and route designations as proposed in the plan.
To navigate the story map, scroll down or use the navigation bar above to skip to individual sections.
Introduction
The BLM Uncompahgre Field Office is seeking feedback on a preliminary Environmental Assessment for the Jumbo Mountain Comprehensive Travel and Transportation Management Plan. Documents associated with the plan, such as the draft environmental assessment, comment forms, and maps can be found on the BLM's ePlanning website.
Note: The public comment period closed on April 10, 2023.
The 60-day public comment period ran from February 10 through April 10, 2023.
We want your comments on specific route designations and alignments in addition to the adequacy and accuracy of the analysis and alternatives in the preliminary Environmental Assessment. Did we miss anything critical? The most useful comments are detailed enough to help refine the analysis and potentially affect the decision-making process and/or project outcome. Generic comments (such as “I don’t like this project”) do not provide sufficient information to refine the alternative management strategies for resolving travel-related issues. Submit your comments by clicking on the button below.
Substantive comments on the preliminary Environmental Assessment can also be submitted online through the BLM ePlanning project website or by U.S. mail to: BLM Uncompahgre Field Office, Attn: Caroline Kilbane, 2465 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401.
On Commenting
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment -- including your personal identifying information -- may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Public meetings took place on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 and Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Paonia Town Hall Community Room, 214 Grand Ave, Paonia, CO.
Proposed Route Alternatives
The Jumbo Mountain Comprehensive Travel Management Plan analyzes four separate alternative actions. Click each alternative below to view the route designations and seasonal closures for the selected alternative.
Map tips:
- Zoom in and out by using the plus (+) and minus (-) button on the bottom right of the map.
- Click or tap on a route to view individual route information in the form of a pop-up. Pop-ups are displayed for the active alternative.
- To enter full screen, use the button with the diagonal arrows at the top right of the map. Phone users may want to view the map using full screen mode.
Reroute Corridors
Reroute corridors have been identified to move existing trails to more sustainable alignments. These reroutes will not only protect sensitive resources, but also give trail stewards the opportunity to improve the recreational value of the trail.
Reroute corridors within the project area. Drag the arrow to the left to view the original route inventory and to the right to compare it with Alternative D: Proposed Action. Click on individual segments for pop-up descriptions.
Land Status / Aerial Imagery
Route inventory within the project area. Drag the arrow to the left to view aerial imagery and to the right to view land status. Click on individual segments for pop-up descriptions.
Phases of the Jumbo Mountain Travel Management Plan
Inventory Verification and Pre-Scoping
The public's opportunity to review BLM's inventory data and provide feedback to verify and add context to that data occurred between June 14 and September 13, 2021. Comments during this phase focused on: Identifying missing routes and inaccuracies in the data (misalignments); information on use level and type for each trail; recommendations on staging areas and access; and general area uses.
Route Evaluation and Drafting of the Environmental Assessment
This portion of the process was internal to BLM. The BLM incorporated information from the pre-scoping phase into developing the alternatives.
Public Comment Period
The public comment period provided members of the public the opportunity to submit comments on the range of alternatives outlined in the Environmental Assessment (EA). This phase took place February 10, 2023 through April 10, 2023.
Decision Release
During this phase, the BLM considered all substantive public comments received during the public comment period, updated the analysis where necessary and appropriate, and finalized the Environmental Assessment. A Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) was signed on 8/28/2023 and the decision record approving the proposed action was signed on 9/5/2023.
Plan Implementation (Current Phase)
Implementation is when the on-the-ground work begins: Signs can be installed, maps and brochures can be created, and route repair and reclamation can occur.
Public Meetings
Public Pre- Scoping Meetings in July 2021
Public Meetings occurred on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 and Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Paonia Town Hall Community Room, 214 Grand Ave., Paonia, CO.
These meetings were open house format, with BLM employees available to answer questions and clarify information in the draft analysis.
Please see the embedded video if you are interested in learning more about the importance of building sustainable trails.
Video: How trail designers build good hikes (Credit: Vox Media)
Thank you for participating in this planning effort. Engagement in these projects allows us to better serve the needs of the community and manage the resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
