The San Miguel Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) gathered for their first meeting of the year on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, where they discussed a variety of crucial environmental topics.
These included the county’s climate action plan, protections for the Gunnison sage-grouse, updates on electric vehicle (EV) charging, hazardous site cleanup, and changes to overnight fees at Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites.
BLM’s New Fees and Concerns Over Day Use Charges
Dan Ben-Horin, the manager of the Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO), presented updates on the BLM’s new overnight camping fees. Starting in the summer of 2025, visitors will need to pay a $12 fee per campsite per night at several existing and proposed campgrounds, including Lower Beaver, Caddis Flats, and Fall Creek, among others.
Ben-Horin explained that the increased visitor demand and a lack of sufficient revenue to fund proper amenities and services were the driving forces behind the new fee structure. The new revenue will help manage the campgrounds and ensure staff can maintain them. However, the BLM decided against implementing a fee for day-use areas after receiving significant feedback from the public.
“We did receive quite a bit of feedback in opposition to those day-use fees, which we expected,” said Ben-Horin. “It’s a pretty novel concept on the Western Slope, but not common outside of national parks in this region.”
Despite the decision to keep day-use areas fee-free for now, Ben-Horin acknowledged the challenge of funding the maintenance of these areas in the future.
“We are still facing shrinking budgets, and we need to find ways to support the recreation program,” he said. “But we heard loud and clear from the public that day-use fees are not the answer.”
Hazardous Site Cleanup at Leopard Creek
Ben-Horin also shared plans to clean up the Leopard Creek site near Placerville, which has been identified as a hazardous site due to high levels of lead in the soil. The BLM intends to remove the contaminated topsoil as part of a cleanup effort, but this presents a challenge due to the site’s popularity as a shooting range.
Although typical BLM policy would close a site after such a cleanup, Ben-Horin expressed concerns about the loss of a shooting site in the area, especially since suitable alternatives are limited.
“We don’t want to close a shooting site without providing an alternative,” Ben-Horin noted. “That would just push people to shoot elsewhere.”
The recently passed EXPLORE Act, which supports outdoor recreation, may provide some funding for shooting site alternatives. Ben-Horin emphasized that the current location of Leopard Creek may not be ideal for shooting due to its narrow canyons, but there could be better options in San Miguel County.
Gunnison Sage-Grouse Habitat Protection
San Miguel County’s Natural Resources and Climate Resilience Director, Starr Jamison, also provided updates on initiatives related to climate resilience and habitat protection for the Gunnison sage-grouse. The county is focusing on preserving habitat on private lands and creating a map to identify areas where conservation easements and private land habitats intersect.
Additionally, there has been ongoing discussion about a potential reroute of County Road U29 to avoid disrupting the Gunnison sage-grouse breeding grounds. Since these birds are particularly sensitive during their mating season, the county is considering closing the road from March 1 to July 15 to protect the grouse’s lekking activities. However, the closure could leave only a short period when the road would be open.
Jamison is also collaborating with Ryan Righetti, the county’s roads superintendent, and Derek Padilla from the BLM Tres Rios field office to explore ways to mitigate this issue.
New ACEC Proposal and Ongoing Efforts
A proposal for a new Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) to protect the Gunnison sage-grouse is also on the table. This new ACEC would have similar protections to the BLM’s existing Gunnison sage-grouse Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment, which was published in October 2024. The amendment includes a one-mile buffer zone around sage-grouse habitats and restrictions on surface disturbances within these areas.
The new proposal for an ACEC under the Uncompahgre Field Office will be open for public comment in the coming months. San Miguel County continues to provide financial support for Gunnison sage-grouse protection, contributing $14,500 annually to support the local population.
EV Charging and Climate Action
Jamison also highlighted the county’s efforts to promote sustainable transportation. The county has received a grant to support the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, with plans to begin the installation in May 2025. Additionally, the county is exploring bus passes and potential rebates for county staff to encourage the use of electric bikes and reduce transportation emissions.
The BOCC also discussed ongoing waste reduction initiatives, including compost programs, and reviewed progress on the county’s climate action plan. These initiatives are part of the county’s broader efforts to combat climate change and improve environmental sustainability.
Looking Ahead
The next BOCC meeting on January 29 will provide further details on the progress of the climate action plan. As San Miguel County moves forward with these environmental initiatives, the community will continue to play a key role in shaping policies that balance growth, sustainability, and the protection of local wildlife and natural resources.
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