Public invited to open house on river management plans

The Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) is developing the first comprehensive management plans (CMPs) for the state-owned, sovereign land sections of the Green and Colorado rivers, and updating the existing Mineral Leasing Plan (MLP) for these sovereign lands.

On Wednesday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., the division and its contractors will present information about the plans and seek public participation during an open house at the Grand County High School Auditorium, 608 S. 400 East. All residents are encouraged to attend the meeting.

FFSL is required to ensure that all uses on, beneath or above the beds of the Green and Colorado rivers are regulated to protect navigation, fish and wildlife habitat, aquatic beauty, public recreation and water quality.

The development of the comprehensive management plans and update of the mineral leasing plan will ensure that FFSL maintains clear and consistent guidance on the management of the Green and Colorado River resources.

Resource management issues identified during the public involvement process will be used to craft a draft CMP for each river and update the MLP. Each draft CMP and the MLP will include a range of management actions and alternatives based on the public trust and sustainable uses of the Green and Colorado rivers. Management actions and alternatives as well as a preliminary assessment of each of the rivers’ resources will be available for review during a second round of public meetings scheduled for the spring of 2019.

A formal 45-day comment period on the draft CMPs and MLP will occur in the summer of 2019. It is anticipated that the final CMP and decision documents will be completed in December 2019.

For more information about the project, or to be added to the division’s mailing list, contact Gretchen Semerad at 801-322-4307, or gsemerad@swca.com. You can also contact Laura Vernon at 801-538-5530, or lauravernon@utah.gov. Project information and additional public meeting information can also be obtained on the project website at http://bit.ly/gcrcmp.