RBC I The White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts and Rio Blanco County are in the process of developing a Land and Natural Resource Use Plan and Policy that will be guided by input from local residents.
The plan will identify the districts’ and county’s policies to facilitate, protect and preserve the utilization and conservation of natural resources on public lands. These policies will support agricultural concerns; protect private property rights; protect and enhance the customs, cultures and the economy; protect the tax base; assure the well-being of the people; and provide for the public health, safety and welfare of county residents.
Once developed, the plan will be applied to federal regulatory frameworks that govern the management of public land in regards to the rangeland, soil, water, wildlife, air and energy resources. Federal law requires federal agencies to give meaningful consideration to policies asserted in plans developed by local governments, including conservation districts.
The key to the success of this important plan is a collaborative effort with Rio Blanco County residents’ input. Therefore, we ask that you visit www.RioBlancoLUP.com to learn more about the plan and to participate in a poll. The poll will be open until Aug. 24.
There are 21 issues noted in the poll that were highlighted during the public input sessions in late May. While all issues will be addressed in the plan, the districts and county ask that all Rio Blanco County residents provide input to help identify the top five priorities to help develop a practical and useful document.
A draft plan is expected to be available to the public in late December or early January. At that time, public meetings will be held to gather additional input. In the meantime, the public is welcome to visit the www.RioBlancoLUP.com website for updates and provide input on the “Contact Us” tab.
Anyone wishing to be notified of updates via email is asked to provide your address to the districts’ office.
For anyone not able to access the website, please feel free to contact the following: White River & Douglas Creek Conservation Districts, Callie Hendrickson, at 878-5628, Ext. 4; or 970-250-6825 (cell); or Rio Blanco County Natural Resource Specialist Mark Sprague at 970-878-9584.
