katqanna
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BLM starts process to restore Bullwhacker access with by-pass
This is the BLM area that was cut off when public access to Bullwhacker Road was lost. Here is a small map of part of the area. If you have suggestions, please send them through the contact info below for Mike Kania. There will be 3 scoping meetings in Dec.
Edit: Sorry, forgot to state that the dashed green line with the question mark was one of the proposed routes mentioned when the discussion was occurring over the Wilks land trade proposal. I did the side by side graphic for the online petition, showing there were options for restoring access. Being pressed for time this morning I was lazy and simply copied and edited that portion of the graphic to show the area in question. Other alternatives can be offered.
(LEWISTOWN, Mont.) – The Bureau of Land Management announced today, it has begun the process required to reestablish road access into the Bullwhacker Coulee area of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.
“We are currently investigating four separate alternatives, to reestablish road access into the Bullwhacker drainage, using portions of existing roads whenever possible. Once these alternatives have been identified and flagged on the ground, we will carefully analyze the impacts of each alternative in an environmental assessment to determine future public access,” said Michael Kania, the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Manager.
The BLM would consider mitigation, including the option of closing, rehabilitating, or reclaiming other existing roads to off-set the resource disturbance. The intent would be to ensure no net gain in the present miles of road within the area.
Historic public access to approximately 50,000 backcountry acres in the Bullwhacker area within Blaine County had been lost following a 2011 court decision declaring a portion of the Bullwhacker Road crossing private lands to be a private road. A proposed land exchange to restore access was considered, but was determined to be not in the best interest of the American people who have entrusted the BLM to manage their public lands for them.
The BLM has initiated an open and transparent public process in which the public will have a number of opportunities to participate in a resolution long-sought after for restoring motorized public access to the Bullwhacker area. The Bureau is preliminarily considering four potential options to find a viable access solution that would garner substantial public support and be in the best interest of the American public the BLM serves.
“Public access to public lands continues to be one of BLM Montana/Dakotas’ top priorities,” said Stan Benes, the BLM Central Montana District Manager. “Our charge in this particular situation is actually to restore the access the public historically had for many decades.”
The 60-day scoping period will begin with public scoping meetings tentatively scheduled for Great Falls Dec. 2, Chinook Dec. 3, and Lewistown Dec. 4. An environmental assessment is expected to be available by May. The goal is to complete the decision process in summer 2015.
The BLM will also look to the valuable insight offered by the trusted members of the Central Montana Resource Advisory Council throughout this process.
For more information, contact Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Manager Mike Kania (406) 538-1950. If you have comments or an option for the BLM to consider, you may send an email to [email protected].
This is the BLM area that was cut off when public access to Bullwhacker Road was lost. Here is a small map of part of the area. If you have suggestions, please send them through the contact info below for Mike Kania. There will be 3 scoping meetings in Dec.
Edit: Sorry, forgot to state that the dashed green line with the question mark was one of the proposed routes mentioned when the discussion was occurring over the Wilks land trade proposal. I did the side by side graphic for the online petition, showing there were options for restoring access. Being pressed for time this morning I was lazy and simply copied and edited that portion of the graphic to show the area in question. Other alternatives can be offered.
(LEWISTOWN, Mont.) – The Bureau of Land Management announced today, it has begun the process required to reestablish road access into the Bullwhacker Coulee area of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.
“We are currently investigating four separate alternatives, to reestablish road access into the Bullwhacker drainage, using portions of existing roads whenever possible. Once these alternatives have been identified and flagged on the ground, we will carefully analyze the impacts of each alternative in an environmental assessment to determine future public access,” said Michael Kania, the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Manager.
The BLM would consider mitigation, including the option of closing, rehabilitating, or reclaiming other existing roads to off-set the resource disturbance. The intent would be to ensure no net gain in the present miles of road within the area.
Historic public access to approximately 50,000 backcountry acres in the Bullwhacker area within Blaine County had been lost following a 2011 court decision declaring a portion of the Bullwhacker Road crossing private lands to be a private road. A proposed land exchange to restore access was considered, but was determined to be not in the best interest of the American people who have entrusted the BLM to manage their public lands for them.
The BLM has initiated an open and transparent public process in which the public will have a number of opportunities to participate in a resolution long-sought after for restoring motorized public access to the Bullwhacker area. The Bureau is preliminarily considering four potential options to find a viable access solution that would garner substantial public support and be in the best interest of the American public the BLM serves.
“Public access to public lands continues to be one of BLM Montana/Dakotas’ top priorities,” said Stan Benes, the BLM Central Montana District Manager. “Our charge in this particular situation is actually to restore the access the public historically had for many decades.”
The 60-day scoping period will begin with public scoping meetings tentatively scheduled for Great Falls Dec. 2, Chinook Dec. 3, and Lewistown Dec. 4. An environmental assessment is expected to be available by May. The goal is to complete the decision process in summer 2015.
The BLM will also look to the valuable insight offered by the trusted members of the Central Montana Resource Advisory Council throughout this process.
For more information, contact Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Manager Mike Kania (406) 538-1950. If you have comments or an option for the BLM to consider, you may send an email to [email protected].
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