USFS accepting comments on draft EA for Thompson Divide Withdrawal Project
Comments accepted until January 8, 2024
USFS PRESS RELEASE
December 9, 2023
the USDA Forest Service, in coordination with the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management, released a draft environmental assessment for the requested Thompson Divide Withdrawal in Garfield, Gunnison, and Pitkin counties for a 30-day public comment period.
“This comment period offers the public an important opportunity to participate in the evaluation of this requested withdrawal,” said Rocky Mountain Regional Forester Frank Beum. “This requested withdrawal of the Thompson Divide area is in response to a strong interest from a diverse stakeholder group, including hunters, ranchers, conservation groups, and local governments.”
The USFS and BLM requested 224,713 acres of lands be withdrawn from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws, mining laws, and mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. More information is available in the USFS press release.