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• Fire Danger Remains High

  Fire danger remains high in Rio Blanco and Moffat Counties.   A return to warmer, drier conditions is expected over the next few days. Vegetation at lower elevations continues to dry as seasonal curing occurs. “Any winds that develop, particularly in the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak, will spread a fire quickly in grass and brush,” advised Fire Management Officer Mark Rogers.

  Click here to view the entire news release. 

• Thank You to the Local and Fire Communities

  On behalf of the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit and the Little Snake Field Office, I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who helped us deal with the loss of Engine Captain Brett Stearns. So great was the response, that I’m not even sure who to thank, but I will try...

  Click here to view the entire announcement.

• Forest Service products are unavailable

  Our office is unable to sell National Forest permits and maps at this time.  Please contact your nearest Forest Service Office for assistance.  We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

• Public Comment Period Extended for Additional Air Quality Assessment to support the Little Snake Draft RMP

The Little Snake Field Office is in the process of revising its Resource Management Plan (RMP). The plan will provide a framework to guide subsequent management decisions on approximately 1.3 million surface acres and 1.9 million subsurface acres administered by the Little Snake Field Office in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties. The Draft RMP/EIS was released for a 90-day public comment period in February 2007. BLM is currently analyzing the public comments and developing the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. 

The Draft Additional Air Quality Assessment to Support the BLM Little Snake Field Office Draft RMP/EIS is available for public comment.  The public comment period closes January 5, 2009.  The document was prepared by the BLM as a result of comments received on the Draft RMP/EIS from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  This hypothetical air quality assessment provides additional information and analysis using the CALPUFF-lite modeling system. 

• View the News Release
• View the Little Snake Resource Management Plan web page

• Emerald Mountain Trail Work Continues

In June 2007, John E. Husband, Field Manager of the BLM Little Snake Field Office, issued a decision approving the Emerald Mountain Recreation Implementation Plan (IP). Construction soon began on the Ridge Trail to connect Blackmere Drive Trail to Cow Creek Road. In August 2007, Phase 1 of trail construction was completed and the 4,139 acre parcel was officially open for recreational use.  

Work continues on the Ridge Trail and the BLM anticipates that it will probably be another year before the trail will be completely done through the hard work and dedication of the Rocky Mountain Youth Corp and the Routt County Riders. The trail is currently being used by mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers. Although the trail is not complete to BLM standards, it continues to receive a positive response and increased use as more people become aware of the recreational opportunities that Emerald Mountain provides to the local community and visitors to the area.

Through a GOCO grant received by the City of Steamboat Springs, one of BLM’s partners in the management of Emerald Mountain, the Little Snake Field Office has released the Final copy of the Emerald Mountain Special Recreation Management Area Implementation Plan Amendment.   This plan will help clarify the goals and objectives of the original IP for future trail and facilities development, rules and regulations, and other issues. Six public meetings were held to solicit public input.

With the completion of the IP Amendment, the BLM and its Partners can successfully manage Emerald Mountain for recreation, wildlife, and agricultural needs.

• View the Implementation Plan Amendment
• View the Ridge Trail Map
• View the Emerald Mountain Exchange/Planning information

• Canyon of Lodore 1:100,000 Map Update on Hold

Due to the RMP Revision, the Canyon of Lodore map update has been put on hold.  It will be updated once the Revision is finalized.  We anticipate this occuring sometime in the next 1-2 years.  There will be significant changes made to the map at that point.  Please continue to check back with us on the update status.

Please verify you have the most current version of our maps:

• 2008 - Rangely
• 2007 - Craig, Meeker, Steamboat Springs & Walden
• 2002 - Canyon of Lodore

Maps are $4.00 each and you can stop by our office, call in an order with your credit card or click here for more details on the maps and purchasing information .

Bureau of Land Management in Northwest Colorado...

The Little Snake Field Office encompasses 4.2 million acres of federal, state and private lands in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties.  Of the total area, 1.3 million acres are public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and 1.1 million acres of the private and state lands are underlain by federally owned minerals.  Resource activities include:  wildlife, cultural resources, grazing, energy & minerals, rights-of-ways, paleontological resources and recreation.  For more information, click here or on "Programs" from the menu above.

Take a photo tour of Little Snake

John Husband, Field Manager