BLM-CO Preserving Mining Sites, Gunnison Field Office

Description

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado's 8.3 million acres of public lands, along with 27 million acres of mineral estate, are concentrated primarily in the western portion of the State. The lands range from alpine tundra, colorful canyons, and mesas in the southwest, to rolling sage-covered hills in the northwest. These public lands play a vital role in providing open space and contribute to Colorado's quality of life. The public lands and resources administered by the BLM are among Colorado's greatest assets, benefitting local communities and our nation. Every year, BLM-managed public lands support thousands of jobs in Colorado and draw millions of visitors. Colorado's public lands support diverse lifestyles and livelihoods on healthy and working landscapes in Colorado's backyard. BLM Colorado's National Conservation Lands encompass approximately one million acres, or one-eighth of all BLM land in the state. In addition, BLM Colorado manages the following: 1)three national conservation areas; 2) 53 wilderness study areas; 3)five wilderness areas; 4) one national historic trail; 5) one national scenic trail; and 6) two national monuments. Unlike many other recreation destinations, BLM Colorado⿿s public lands are still quite rustic. There are no entrance stations and comparatively few developed recreation areas. BLM Colorado focuses recreation on the visitors' freedom to choose where to go and what to do. More than one-quarter of BLM lands in Colorado are managed specifically for recreation and tourism. About six million visitors per year come to BLM Colorado lands to hike, mountain bike, whitewater raft, camp, and fish. The Gunnison Field Office (GFO) is responsible for the management and stewardship of more than 600,000 acres of public land in the upper Gunnison River Basin of southwestern Colorado. Collaborating with a number of public and private partners, GFO management and staff guide the protection and sustainable use of a wide variety of public resources. Ecosystems within the GFO range from dry sagebrush steppes at 7,000 feet to forests of aspen, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir to alpine tundra meadows that reach to over 14,000 feet. GFO is also responsible for the Alpine Loop⿿a byway that travels through Ouray, Lake City and Silverton⿿adding 50,000 acres to its territory. GFO has many significant historic mining resources located along the Alpine Loop Back Country Byway in Hinsdale County, Colorado. These fragile sites are over 100 years old, and receive over 400,000 visitors a year. Heritage tourism is the mainstay of Hinsdale County, and the historic mining sites on the Alpine Loop are the ⿿crown jewels⿝ for this area⿿s visitation. It is imperative to preserve and protect these sites while engaging and information the public regarding their significance. Currently these structures and associated features are highly visible to motorists and tourists traveling the Alpine Loop Back Country Byway. Artifacts found on these sites are being looted and further degraded. These historic structures are also unstable, potentially posing safety hazards. Many of these issues are a result of uninformed behaviors, a lack of appreciation for and knowledge of native cultures, irregular and/or rare monitoring, and limited opportunities for the public to learn about cultural resources. A partnership with a cooperator as outlined in this funding opportunity announcement will assure that these sites are frequently monitored by volunteers, site stewards, and/or personnel from the cooperator. In addition, there are several mining structures in need of historic preservation as well as interpretive services over the lifetime of the agreement.

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