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: three national conservation areas; 53 wilderness study areas; 5 wilderness areas; one national historic trail; one national scenic trail; and 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. Under its multiple-use and sustained yield mandates, the BLM manages public rangelands for various uses and values, including livestock grazing, recreational opportunities, healthy watersheds, and wildlife habitat. These lands preserve the open spaces that continue to shape the character of the West. Of the 245 million acres of public lands that BLM manages, 79 million of these acres are infested with noxious and invasive weeds. One of the BLM's highest priorities is to promote ecosystem health and one of the greatest obstacles to achieving this goal is the rapid expansion of weeds across public lands. These invasive plants can dominate and often cause permanent damage to natural plant communities. If not eradicated or controlled, noxious weeds will continue to jeopardize the health of the public lands and will constrain the myriad activities that occur on public lands.BLM Colorado's Weed Management Program is based on our national strategy, Partners Against Weeds. BLM Colorado is building an integrated weed management program through cooperation with county weed programs, building on-the-ground Weed Management Area Partnerships and by working with others to produce weed education and awareness materials. BLM Colorado also emphasizes preventing weeds from spreading to new locations in the actions we permit, and in the way we perform our duties every day. Each BLM Colorado field office has a designated Weed Coordinator who can provide information on local projects. BLM Colorado works to address single species issues, such as purple loosestrife, or on multiple species projects. The Little Snake Field Office (LSFO) manages the 1.3 million acres of public lands located in Moffat, Routt and Rio Blanco Counties in northwestern Colorado. Resource activities include wildlife, cultural resources, grazing, energy and minerals, rights-of-ways, paleontological resources and recreation. LSFO has a successful history collaborating with other local entities to treat noxious and invasive weeds on found on BLM-controlled lands. Partnership agreements that bring together multiple entities are vital in administering funds and treatment of weeds across varying land ownerships to implement collaborative weed control efforts. The LSFO will coordinate to set specific goals, budget, and units of accomplishment for program work to be completed. These goals will include areas of work and target species for treatment. With that information, the recipient will implement weed inventory, treatment and monitoring to meet those objectives. The completed work will be reported to the LSFO to include location information, species information, treatment information, and any other relevant data. Electronic GPS data is the preferred reporting method. This information will be reported to the LSFO on an annual basis or more frequently as needed.