Before we get into the details of this Newslette r, we would like to take this opportunity

to thank everyone who participated in the scoping process! Public involvement is a

key element helping to direct this planning effort.

Formal Scoping Process a Success!!

“Scoping” is a term from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that describes the process by which federal agencies ask the public for help in determining the “scope” of issues to be addressed in the planning

process. The formal scoping process for the Monument lasted for 19 months, concluding in November 2003. 

During the scoping process, BLM held three public workshops, distributed flyers, published media releases, and

issued Planning Newsletter #1, which contained a “Scoping Worksheet” for individuals to share their thoughts

about the future management of the Monument. As a result of these outreach efforts, BLM received a total of

1,868 submittals consisting of letters, emails, planning worksheets, and form letters. Contained within the submittals, BLM was able to extract 23,744 individual comments. Every submittal was read, evaluated, and manually entered into a database. Each comment, based on content, was assigned to one of 16 designated

resource categories (shown in

the bar chart to the left), and

then further divided into various

issues within each resource.

These comments will be considered by BLM throughout the

development of the Plan.

Distribution of

Scoping Comments

The majority of comments

received during the scoping

process originated from within

the United States, but outside of

Colorado and the other Four

Corners Region states

(Arizona, New Mexico, and

Utah). This fact is directly related to the overwhelming number

of form letters submitted. Out

of the 23,744 comments

received, 94.2% were form letters, followed by letters (2.4%), scoping worksheets (2.2%), and individual emails (1.1%). Excluding the form

letters, the majority of scoping worksheets, letters, and emails were sent from local communities (e.g., Dolores,

Durango, Cortez, and Mancos). Due to the large number of form letters, BLM evaluated comments both regionCanyons of the Ancients

National Monument

Planning Newsletter #2

15.9%

14.1%

12.7%

10.0%

9.4%

8.4%

7.1%

5.2%

4.5%

3.4%

2.3% 2.3%

2.0% 1.8%

0.9%

0.2%

0%

6%

12%

18%

Cultural and Paleontological Resources

General Recreation

Transportation Network

Rangeland Management / Grazing

Mineral Resources

Visitor Use

Soils, Water, and Air

Wildlife and Fisheries Management

Visual Resource Management

Off Highway Vehicles

Riparian Resources

Wilderness and Special Areas

Lands and Realty

Law Enforcement

Forestry Management

Fire Management

Distribution of Scoping Comments, by

Resource Categories, from Local Communities
ally and locally. The bar chart on the previous page illustrates the distribution of scoping comments received

from local communities only, across 16 resource categories. The first category, Cultural and Paleontological

Resources, received 15.9% of the 561 total comments from local communities. Local residents were particularly concerned with the protection of the Monument’s cultural resources and expressed a desire to see them

preserved for current and future generations.

Resource Issues

Combining scoping comments from local communities with those received from all other locations (e.g., regional, national, international) the distribution of comments, across the same 16 categories, changed significantly.

As illustrated in the table below, the two resource categories Mineral Resources and Transportation Network

received the most input. Combined, these two resource categories comprise more than 50% of the entire number of comments received. The table below shows each resource issue in descending order by total number

of comments submitted. The paragraphs below highlight examples of individual comments for the top five

resource categories received by BLM during the scoping process.

The resource category that received the most public input was Mineral Resources. Comments primarily

focused on limiting fluid minerals development to existing routes and well pad sites, and away from sensitive

resources. A nearby resident stated that "protection should be given priority over utilization in this very special

area." Another individual requested that BLM “reduce/minimize impacts of oil and gas development.” 

The Transportation Network category came in second overall and missed being number one by only threetenths of a percent. Many local respondents supported the protection and preservation of the diverse resources

within the Monument by suggesting route closures and restrictions, prohibiting new routes, and maintaining

access only to key visitor destinations. Specific comments from the local community included: “Roads need to

be very limited and unofficial trails blocked off and reclaimed” and “Recreation and motorized travel of any sort

should be managed within the confines of what is best for the ecosystem overall.”

The third most popular resource category was Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use. Comments from the surrounding communities expressed a desire for BLM to take "control of off-road vehicle use" and design "a comprehensive travel plan" to help manage OHV use within the

Monument.

For the fourth most popular resource category, Wilderness

and Special Areas, most respondents wanted the

Monument’s resources protected through the designation of

wilderness. "The current inventory of Wilderness Study

Areas should be updated and expanded" was a comment

submitted by an individual who lives near the Monument.

Most of the comments received concerning the fifth resource

category indicate that the public highly values cultural

resources and wants the Plan to reflect this sentiment. A significant portion of the local comments received asked BLM to

“please ensure that all management reflects the importance

of cultural resources.”

Where We Are in the Process

Having just completed the scoping and issue identification

phases, BLM is currently at the third step of the planning

process, which is “Develop Management Strategies,

Scenarios and Alternatives.” In general, the Plan must consider a range of alternatives for management of the

Monument. Furthermore, this range of alternatives must

address the planning issues developed through public comments from individuals, organizations, agencies, and tribes.

Distribution of All Scoping Comments

by Resource Category

RESOURCE CATEGORY PERCENT

Mineral Resources 25.6%

Transportation Network 25.3%

Off Highway Vehicles 12.4%

Wilderness and Special Areas 12.4%

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 7.4%

Soils, Water, and Air 7.2%

Visitor Use 6.5%

Wildlife and Fisheries Management 1.0%

General Recreation 0.7%

Visual Resource Management 0.6%

Rangeland Management / Grazing 0.5%

Riparian Resources 0.1%

Law Enforcement 0.1%

Lands and Realty 0.1%

Forestry Management 0.03%

Fire Management 0.01%

What is the role of the Monument Advisory Committee??

The Monument Advisory Committee (Committee), consisting of 11 members, was established to advise the

Secretary of Interior through the BLM concerning the development and implementation of the Plan. The

Committee is responsible for several tasks, one of which is to advise BLM on establishing resource management priorities and developing landscape goals and objectives for the Monument. This is an essential component of the Alternative Development process.

On November 14, 2003, the Committee

identified six key planning issues to discuss through a series of public meetings

(see schedule to the left). During the first

iteration of each topic, a Committee member provides background information on

the issue, discusses resource management priorities, and establishes a preliminary list of goals and objectives. The second iteration, which follows three weeks

later, provides the Committee members

an opportunity to gather input from the

public and their constituents and then

revise the list of goals and objectives.

The Committee will meet on April 13th

and May 19th, 2004 to finalize their recommendations to BLM. 

The Committee will continue to be actively involved throughout the Alternative Development process. Once BLM develops draft alternatives, using the

Committee's recommendations, the Committee will have the opportunity to review and comment on them.

Neighboring Planning Efforts

Major planning efforts are also underway for the National Park Service's (NPS's) Hovenweep National

Monument and BLM's Monticello Field Office in Utah. Four of the six separate units of Hovenweep (approximately 400 acres) are surrounded by Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. The NPS is at the beginning stages of developing a general management plan for Hovenweep National Monument. The plan will provide a general framework to guide long-term park management decisions. 

BLM's Monticello Field Office abuts the entire western boundary of Canyons of the Ancients National

Monument, and is currently revising their resource management plan. They completed their scoping phase on

December 30, 2003 and are now developing plan alternatives. 

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument has been consulting with both the NPS and Monticello Field Office on the development their plans. This consultation will continue throughout

the respective planning processes to assure coordination on a

number of overlapping planning issues (e.g., transportation).

For more information on these planning efforts please visit their

websites or call them directly at:

Hovenweep National Monument

(http://planning.nps.gov/plans.cfm or 435-719-2100)

BLM Monticello Field Office

(http://www.monticellormp.com or 435-587-1500)

MONTH PLANNING ISSUE

December 9, 2003 First Iteration: Cultural and Historic Resources

January 6, 2004 Second Iteration: Cultural and Historic Resources 

First Iteration: Livestock Grazing

January 27, 2004 Second Iteration: Livestock Grazing

First Iteration: Recreation Activities

February 17, 2004 Second Iteration: Recreation Activities 

First Iteration: Oil and Gas Resources 

March 9, 2004 Second Iteration: Oil and Gas Resources

First Iteration: Transportation and Infrastructure

March 30, 2004 Second Iteration: Transportation and Infrastructure

First Iteration: Private Land

April 13, 2004 Second Iteration: Private Land

Third Iteration: Recreation Activities

May 19, 2004 Finalize recommendations
Monument Planning Criteria

The following is a list of preliminary planning criteria

developed by BLM's Monument Planning Team. If you

would like to comment of this list, please submit your

comments in writing to: Monument Planner, Canyons

of the Ancients National Monument, 27501 Highway

184, Dolores, Colorado 81323. Comments should

postmark on or before May 14, 2004.

The final planning criteria will guide and direct the

development of the Plan. More specifically, the criteria will determine how the planning team will approach

the development of alternatives and ultimately the

selection of a preferred alternative.

These criteria may be added to as we continue drafting the Plan. If you have any questions or concerns

please feel free to contact us!!

1. The Plan will establish the guidance upon which the BLM

will manage the resources and values on the Monument.

The Monument Plan will supersede the existing 1985 San

Juan/San Miguel Resource Management Plan and will be

integrated with provisions of existing management plans

and policies for adjacent lands (e.g., Montezuma

Comprehensive Plan).

2. The planning process will include an Environmental

Impact Statement (EIS) and culminate with the issuance of

a Record of Decision (ROD).

3. The Plan will be completed in compliance with the

Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA),

Endangered Species Act (ESA), NEPA, and all other applicable laws, regulations, executive orders, and BLM policy.

4. The Plan will meet the requirement of the Proclamation

to protect the objects of geological, archaeological, historical, and biological value within the Monument.

5. The Monument Planning Team will work collaboratively

with the State of Colorado, Montezuma and Dolores

Counties, tribal governments, cooperating agencies, municipal governments, other Federal agencies, the Committee,

and all other interested groups, agencies, and individuals.

6. Decisions in the Plan will strive to be compatible with

existing plans and policies of adjacent local, state, tribal,

and federal agencies to the extent that they are in conformance with Federal law and regulation.

7. The planning process will involve Native American tribal

governments and will provide strategies for protecting recognized traditional uses.

8. The Plan will meet the requirement of the Proclamation

to not enlarge or diminish the jurisdiction of the State of

Colorado with respect to fish and wildlife management.

9. The Plan will incorporate the Colorado BLM Guidelines

for Recreation Management. It will set forth a framework for

managing recreational activities in order to provide for the

enjoyment and safety of the visiting public consistent with

the Proclamation.

10. The lifestyles of area residents, including the activities

of hiking, grazing and hunting, will be considered in the

Plan.

11. Any lands or interests located within the planning area

boundary that are acquired by BLM will be managed consistently with the Plan, subject to any constraints associated

with the acquisition.

12. The Plan will meet the requirement of the Proclamation

to prepare a transportation plan that addresses the actions,

including road closures and travel restrictions, necessary to

protect the scientific and historic resources of the

Monument. Furthermore, as required under the

Proclamation, motorized and mechanized vehicle use offroad will be prohibited, except for emergency or authorized

administrative purposes.

13. The Plan will not address Monument boundary adjustments or proposals to change the Proclamation.

14. The Plan will recognize valid existing rights within the

Monument and will review how valid existing rights are verified. The Plan will also outline the process BLM will use to

address applications or notices filed after completion of the

Plan on existing claims or other land use authorizations.

15. The Plan will emphasize the scientific and historic

resources of the Monument. It will also identify opportunities and priorities for research and education related to the

resources for which the Monument was created. In addition, it will describe an approach for incorporating research

into management actions.

16. The management of livestock grazing is governed by

existing laws and regulations. The Plan will incorporate the

BLM Standards for Public Land Health and Guidelines for

Livestock Grazing in Colorado. The Plan will lay out a strategy for ensuring proper grazing practices are followed within the Monument.
PRESORTED 

FIRST-CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE AND FEE PAID

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PERMIT NO. G-76

Bureau of Land Management

Anasazi Heritage Center

27501 Colorado Highway 184

Dolores, CO 81323

Staying Involved...

Staying involved in the planning process is easy!!

1) Visit the BLM Planning Website

In an effort to help you understand and participate in the

planning process, a complete copy of the Scoping Report

for the Monument is now available on the Monument’s

planning website at www.blm.gov/rmp/canm. As other

documents, maps, and workshop/meeting schedules

become available, they will also be posted on the planning

website. Please continue to check this website regularly.

2) Come review the Scoping Report

Hard copies of the scoping report may be viewed at the

following locations: Anasazi Heritage Center, BLM

Colorado State Office Library, Colorado State Library, San

Juan Public Lands Center, Dolores Public Lands Office,

Durango Public Library, Cortez Public Library, Mancos

Public Library, Dolores Public Library, Dolores County

Courthouse, Montezuma County Courthouse, and the Ute

Mountain Ute Tribal Library and Complex.

Upcoming Planning Product

The Analysis of the Management Situation, or AMS, is scheduled for completion in May of this year. The

AMS will provide a description of the current management situation, the affected resources (e.g., wildlife), and

the capability and condition of the resources within the Monument. The AMS will provide the basis for

describing the Affected Environment and "No Action" Alternative in the Draft Plan. In addition, the AMS will

provide a basis for determining potential impacts to Monument resources (e.g., archaeology) for each alternative analyzed in the Draft Plan.

Let Your Voice Be Heard!!

It's not too late! Although the formal scoping process is complete, BLM will continue to accept comments

throughout the planning process. Remember, BLM is also accepting comments on the Preliminary Planning

Criteria through May 14, 2004. Once a range of draft alternatives is developed, BLM will make them available

for public comment through Planning Newsletter #3 and the Monument's planning website.