The Bureau of Land Management and City of Steamboat Springs are hosting a series of public meetings to help guide the specific management of the Emerald Mountain property, a 4,139-acre parcel west of Steamboat Springs. The first meetings are scheduled next week in Craig, Oak Creek and Steamboat Springs.
The Emerald Mountain parcel became public land in Feb. 2007 when BLM acquired the parcel through a land exchange involving numerous partners, including the City of Steamboat Springs and the Emerald Mountain Partnership. In June, 2007, BLM adopted a general implementation plan that set the vision for recreational use of the area.
“The next step is to develop specifics for managing Emerald Mountain,” said John Husband, Field Manager for the BLM’s Little Snake Field Office. “We need to identify what’s appropriate in terms of recreational facilities, amenities, and other details associated with management of the property.”
The City of Steamboat Springs Parks, Open Space and Recreational Services Department recently received a $30,000 GOCO grant from the State of Colorado to hire a contractor to assist BLM with this next step.
“The City and BLM want to hear from the local community to help us identify opportunities for recreational facilities and amenities, as well as opportunities for partnership/friends groups for the Emerald Mountain property, “ said Craig Robinson, Open Space Supervisor with the City of Steamboat Springs. “We also need to integrate management of the Emerald Mountain property with existing or planned facilities and management on adjacent lands.”
BLM and the City anticipate a series of six public meetings will be necessary. Anyone interested in being involved in this planning approach is encouraged to attend the first set of meetings:
April 22, 2008
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Bureau of Land Management
455 Emerson St.
Craig, CO
April 23, 2008
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
129 Nancy Crawford Boulevard
Oak Creek Town Hall
Board Room
Oak Creek, CO
April 23, 2008
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
1605 Lincoln Ave.
Steamboat Springs Community Center
Community Room E
Steamboat Springs, CO
For further information, please contact Gina Robison, BLM Little Snake Field Office at (970) 826-5083 or Craig Robinson, City of Steamboat Springs at (970) 879-4300.
