San Juan National Forest officials are taking comments through March 2 on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Chimney Rock National Monument management plan and several specific projects within the monument.
Projects include construction of up to two miles of interpretive trails, new visitor facilities and parking near the existing visitor cabin, and visitor shelters near the upper parking area; also various prohibitions intended to minimize disturbance to peregrine falcons and prevent other resource damage.
The district will host an open house on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pagosa Springs Community Center to provide information, answer questions, and take comments.
The draft EIS, management plan, list and description of projects and prohibitions, including maps, are at www.fs.usda.gov/projects/sanjuan/landmanagement/projects.
Written, faxed, digital, and hand-delivered comments will be accepted until March 2. Commenters should specify whether they are commenting on the management plan, specific projects, or both.
Mail comments to District Ranger, PO Box 310, Pagosa Springs CO 81147, or hand-deliver to the district office at 180 Pagosa Street between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays excluding holidays.
Comments may be faxed to (970)264-1538, attn. Sara Brinton, or e-mailed to comments-rocky-mountain-san-juan-pagosa@fs.fed.us.
Comments including names and addresses will be considered part of the public record. Only those who file timely and specific written comments will be eligible to file an objection later.
For more information, contact Brinton at the district office or e-mail sbrinton@fs.fed.us, or Recreation Specialist Paul Blackman at plblackman@fs.fed.us, or call 264-2268.
