NORWOOD – The Norwood Ranger District is planning several prescribed burn projects on the Uncompahgre Plateau that would be aerially ignited and would occur over the next two years. The need for these managed burns is to create and maintain more naturally occurring vegetation conditions within three large ponderosa pine stands. The stands are located in the Copper King, Glencoe and Hanks Valley areas and encompass approximately 5,000 acres.

Fire is a natural ecological component and these treatments are intended to restore more naturally-occurring conditions under prescribed weather, staffing and ground conditions. The fire effects achieved by these maintenance burns will reduce the number of trees in the understory, decrease the amount of understory shrubs and remove much of the dead woody material from the forest floor.

The post-burn plant community will be more resilient to wild-land fire and enable the Forest Service to manage future wildfires to shape the structure of the stands and minimize the potential for uncharacteristically large or severe crown fires.

Over the long-term, the desired condition is for these stands to be less dependent upon prescribed burns and allow naturally occurring wildfires (e.g. lightening ignited) to maintain the desired forest conditions. Ideally, this would naturally occur at eighteen to twenty-five years intervals. However, wildfire that occurs during severe weather conditions or that may otherwise present a threat to fire fighter or public safety, private property, improvements or other key resources will continue to be aggressively suppressed.

The District Ranger would like interested members of the public to participate in the planning process by discussing concerns or issues that you may have regarding these projects. More information can be found at http://fs.usda.gov/goto/GMUGPine. The project is “Uncompahgre Pine Management 2010.” Further information for this project can also be obtained by calling Fuels Specialist Glenn Webb at 970/874-6621.



Fall Burns Planned for Haycamp Mesa, Glade and Lower Dolores River Rim

DOLORES – The Dolores Public Lands Office has plans to implement three controlled burns this fall, beginning as early as this week in the following locations:

• The South Carver Burn is located eight miles east of Dolores in the SW area of Haycamp Mesa (sections 10-14 and 23-25, T37N, R14W, and T37N, R13W in sections 7 and 18). Approximately 200 acres will be treated.

• The Doe Canyon Burn is located 12 miles SE of Dove Creek, Colorado on the west end of the Glade area (sections 24-27, 35 and 36 of T40N, R17W and section 2 of T39N, R17W). Approximately 300 acres will be treated.

• Dolores Rim Burn is located seven miles east of Dove Creek (sections 35 & 36 of T41N, R18W; sections 31 & 32 of T41N, R17W; sections 1, 2 and12 of T40N, R18W; and sections 5-8 of T40N, R17W). Approximately 200 acres will be treated.

All three controlled burns will be hand ignited in ponderosa pine forests and monitored by a local staff of 20-30 qualified firefighters. Scott McDermid, fire management officer for the Dolores Public Lands Office, says the projects are contingent on weather conditions that will help to assure predictable fire behavior and maximum smoke dispersion. If favorable weather conditions prevail, all three projects will be treated within the next two to three weeks.

These projects are part of the National Fire Plan underway across the nation to make public and private lands safer from wildfire by reducing the buildup of natural fuels. The prescribed fires will also improve the health of ponderosa pine stands by reducing competition from Gambel oak, removing ground litter to expose mineral soil needed for seed germination, and releasing minerals and nutrients into the soil. Opening up the forest canopy to allow sunlight to stimulate the growth of grasses and forbs will also improve forage and habitat for deer and elk.

For more contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970/882-7296.

BLM Uncompahgre Resource Management Plan Advisory Group to Meet

MONTROSE – A public advisory group that will provide recommendations to

the Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office as it revises its

Resource Management Plan will meet for the fourth time on Aug. 20.

The subgroup of the BLM’s Southwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council will meet on Friday, Aug. 20, at the Holiday Inn Express Jordan Room in Montrose at 1391 South Townsend Avenue.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to adjourn at noon. The meeting is open to the public, with a public comment period scheduled for 11 a.m. Presentations on recreation, soils, and land health assessments are currently on the schedule.

The Southwest Colorado RAC subgroup is composed of area residents representing diverse interests within the Uncompahgre Field Office. The seven-member subgroup will provide recommendations to the BLM Southwest Colorado RAC regarding development and implementation of the public lands within the field office.

The Southwest Colorado RAC is one of three advisory councils to BLM Colorado. Composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, individuals serving in each RAC represent a broad range of public land interests, ranging from environmental to local government to commercial activity. For more information on Colorado RACs, go to www.blm.gov/co and select Resources, then Resource Advisory Councils.

Crystal Lake Dam Work Planned

MONTROSE – The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests is planning repair work on the Crystal Lake Dam, located approximately four miles south of Ouray along Hwy. 550.

Most immediately, the U.S. Forest Service plans to install an emergency spillway on the Crystal Dam, which includes installing a 10-inch siphon and 24-inch outlet pipe. This work will provide temporary stability to the dam while other plans for repairs are developed and funding sought.

Construction is expected to begin in October and take approximately 14 days to complete. During the period while construction is occurring, the crest on the north side of the dam will be impacted and access to the Hayden Trail (currently across the north embankment) will likely be closed to the public and/or temporarily moved to the south toward Ironton. The public will be notified when work begins and trail access status in the media, on the forest website and/or by calling the Ouray Ranger District Office.

In the interim, the Bureau of Reclamation is assisting the Forest Service by evaluating the dam hazard classification and assisting with potential rehabilitation needs/options and cost estimates.