BLM
2300 River Frontage Rd.
Silt, CO 81652

RE: Comments for the BLM Draft RMP/Draft EIS
Citizens Group, Thompson Divide Coalition

Dear Bureau of Land Management,

I write to offer comments on the Draft RMP & Draft EIS for the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office, Colorado. The decisions made for the final RMP/EIS will steer the protection and development of a large portion of Western Colorado for years to come. While the BLM can directly manage human issues such as travel, recreation, ownership, urban interface, cultural resources, and energy development, the natural resources of wildlife, water, air, habitat and vegetation do not operate in the isolation of political boundaries and rely on the health of entire ecosystems for their sustainability and therefore cannot be managed in isolation. I ask the BLM to consider my comments as related to the Thompson Divide Area, which contains BLM, Forest Service, State, and private lands because it represents whole habitats and ecosystems of which the BLM lands are an integral part, and especially concerning the BLM management of mineral leases under all Federal lands.

Key Components of Alternative C:

Water Quality:

The rivers and streams of the Thompson Divide area are some of the highest quality in the state as determined by the Thompson Divide Baseline Water Quality Study from 2009 to 2011, which was designed and conducted by the Roaring Fork Conservancy in Thompson Creek and the 4 Mile Creek Watershed. The conclusion of this 4-season sampling was that the waters were of very high quality and supported a healthy community of microorganisms. The endangered Colorado River Cutthroat Trout is present in several branches of Thompson Creek. Visit www.savethompsondivide.org for the Thompson Divide Executive Summary of the water quality report.

Air Quality:

The current air quality of the Thompson Divide area is clean as there are minimal roads and partial year use. Oil and gas development would threaten the air quality from the release of contaminents associated with drilling, traffic and year round use.

Recreational Demand and Uses:

The Thompson Divide area contains important natural values, it is a key economic driver in the 5-county region which it covers. The region is a popular recreation destination, hosting recreational activities including hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing, ice climbing and sport climbing, The Thompson Divide area contains Game Management Units #42 and #43, which together drew 14,000 big game licenses in 2010, according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The total direct economic input from hunting and fishing in the 5-county region is $113,200,000, with the indirect impact being $314,500,000, also according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife. These numbers demonstrate the critical role that undeveloped landscapes like the Thompson Divide play in contributing to local and state economies. In addition to the recreational inputs afforded by hunting and fishing, ranching in the Thompson Divide area also provides an important economic input; this landscape has supported summer cattle feeding of multiple generations of ranchers. Over 90% of the Thompson Divide area is currently leased for grazing.

Energy Development:

Energy development in this region would severely threaten the watersheds, natural values and economics inputs that the region benefits from. The Bureau of Land Management should withdraw the Thompson Divide area from availability for oil and gas development. Further, to the extent that there are existing leases in the area, BLM should take this opportunity to revisit those leases to ensure that they were issues in compliance with existing laws and regulations. Approximately 1/2 of the area was designated by the 2001 Roadless Rule and Colorado Roadless Rule for protection from further road building.

Fish and Wildlife:

The Thompson Divide Coaltion is aiming to protect 221,000 acres that spans both BLM and Forest Service lands. The area comprises primarily mid-elevation habitat that is the headwaters for 15 watersheds, representing the key migration routes between connecting the Ragged Wilderness Area, the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and the Grand Mesa. It is important to wildlife for calving and fawning grounds, summer range, and winter habitat. The Thompson Divide is home to important populations of elk, bear, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, lynx, wild turkeys, boreal owls and cutthroat trout. It contains one of the largest aspen groves in the nation as well as old-growth spruce and pine forests, and is a biologically rich area that has been left largely in its natural state. Visit savethompsondivide.org for the Division of Wildlife letter letter of support.

Oil and gas development is incompatible with current uses, preservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat, clean air and water, recreational uses, grazing and other economic values. The BLM should support Alternative C as it pertains to the Thompson Divide area.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Your name and address

Sincerely,

[ your first and last name will print here ]