Proposed Resource Management Plan and

Final Environmental Impact Statement Available

In July 2009, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will release the Proposed Resource Management 

Plan (RMP) for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument as part of a Final Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS). The release will be followed by a 30-day protest period. Upon resolution of all protests, 

the BLM will issue an Approved RMP and Record of Decision (ROD).

The Proposed RMP and Final EIS include modifications made by BLM staff after consideration of public 

comments received on the Draft RMP and Draft EIS. The Proposed RMP/Final EIS includes a summary 

of changes made between the Draft and Proposed plans, predictable impacts of proposed management 

directions, a summary of public comments, and BLM responses to comments.

The Proposed RMP will provide a framework for future management direction and appropriate uses of 

the Monument. It emphasizes cultural-resource values and protection, as well as natural-resource

protection and enhancement, while providing for resource use and development. Its land-use planning 

and implementation decisions will guide multiple-use management of the Monument, in addition to the 

guidance offered in the Presidential Proclamation and existing laws and regulations. 

The Planning Area

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument was created by Presidential 

Proclamation in June 2000 to protect cultural and natural resources on a 

landscape scale, including the highest known density of archaeological 

sites in the nation, well-preserved remnants of Native American culture, 

spectacular landforms, a wide variety of wildlife species, and unique 

recreational opportunities.

The Monument covers almost 166,000 acres of high desert in southwest 

Colorado. It is 50 miles west of Durango, 10 miles west of Cortez, and 12 

miles west of Mesa Verde National Park in Dolores and Montezuma 

counties. The Monument planning area consists of BLM lands inside the 

original Monument boundary, inholdings and edgeholdings 

acquired by the Federal government since the Monument was 

established, and the Anasazi Heritage Center.

Bureau of Land Management

Canyons of the Ancients

National Monument

Planning Newsletter #5 July 2009

 
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Public Comment on the Draft RMP/Draft EIS

The Draft RMP and Draft EIS were released for public review and comment on October 26, 2007. Written 

comments were accepted for 90 days, with the comment period ending on January 30, 2008. Comments 

received during this time were fully analyzed and considered in the development of the Proposed 

RMP/Final EIS. 

The public was able to access draft planning documents via hard copy, CD, the Monument website, local 

libraries and other public offices. A newsletter and public notices in the newspaper were also published 

announcing availability. Open houses were held in Durango, Cortez and Denver with resource specialists 

and the Monument Manager available to answer questions and provide information. About 150 people 

attended the open houses. In addition, briefings were presented to:

Formal Meetings During the 90-Day Comment Period

October 2007 November 2007

Native American Tribal Consultation Montezuma County Commissioners

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Durango Open House

Southwest Resource Advisory Council Cortez Open House

Anasazi Heritage Center staff Denver Open House

Dolores Public Lands Center staff Colorado Department of Public Health & 

Environment

National Park Service, Hovenweep National 

Monument Dolores County Commissioners

Colorado Division of Wildlife

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Colorado Preservation Inc.

The Wilderness Society

Comments received:

• 574 unique comments

• 14,210 form letters

Letters containing unique substance/specific comments 

included:

• 45 received from local residents/organizations

• 30 received from entities in the Four Corners Region

• 30 received from other areas in Colorado

• 155 received from other parts of the country 

(Almost all form letters were from out of the 

region/local area.)

Comments received focused on the following issues:

• 22 on grazing management

• 160 on fluid minerals development

• 56 on cultural resource management

• 180 on recreation and transportation management

• 156 on other issues, including process, general preservation, budget, etc.
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Changes between the Draft and Proposed RMP/Final EIS

Public comments received by the BLM on the Draft RMP/Draft EIS showed a need for clarification on 

several topics. Greater detail was added to the Cumulative Effects Analysis for each resource, and more 

information was incorporated from the oil and gas Reasonable Foreseeable Development analysis. The 

term “cultural communities” was substituted by “settlement clusters”, with additional details provided to 

explain how cultural resources would be managed at the landscape scale. The word “road” was

changed to “route”. The BLM defines a route as a road, trail, or primitive road (excluding non-designated 

routes) included in the BLM transportation system. All designated routes within the Monument are 

identified on a Transportation Management Map included in the Proposed Plan. Cross-country travel off 

designated routes is considered “off-road.” No motorized or mechanized off-road travel would be allowed 

in the Monument.

Several appendices were added that provide greater detail on specific analyses, including management 

of Wild and Scenic Rivers, visual resources, transportation, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, 

National Landscape Conservation System, and cultural resource evaluation. Appendices also provide 

information on the history and intent of the Proclamation and establishment of Canyons of the Ancients 

National Monument.

Management Strategy

The Final EIS analyzes six alternatives, of which one is the Proposed RMP. The analysis addresses the 

changing needs of the planning area, with the goal of selecting a management strategy that best 

achieves an effective combination of management actions, including:

 establishing goals and objectives (desired outcomes) for managing resources and resource 

values according to the principles of multiple use and sustained yield, while adhering to the 

Proclamation mandate to protect the objects of the Monument;

 employing a community-based planning approach that complies with applicable local, State, 

Federal, and Native American tribal laws, standards, policies, and implementation plans, as well 

as with all BLM policies and regulations;

 recognizing valid existing rights while complying with the Federal Land Policy and Management 

Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and all other applicable laws, regulations, policies, 

and guidance;

 coordinating with Native American tribes to identify sites, areas, and objects important to their 

cultural and religious heritage;

 identifying land use planning decisions that will serve to guide future land management actions 

and site-specific implementation decisions in the Monument;

 considering current scientific information, research, new technologies, and the results of relevant 

resource assessments, monitoring, and coordination;

 considering current and potential future uses of public lands in the Monument through the 

development of reasonable foreseeable future development and activity scenarios based on 

historical, existing, and projected levels of use; and 

 retaining flexibility so that the Monument can adapt to new and emerging issues and opportunities 

and provide for adjustments to decisions over time, based on new information and monitoring.
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The Proposed Resource Management Plan 

The Proposed Plan emphasizes protection of cultural resources on a landscape scale while, at the same 

time, providing for resource use and development. This management strategy would provide for the 

retrieval of information from individual sites, artifacts, and their interconnectedness (i.e., how they relate 

to each other) for scientific, traditional, conservation, experimental and public uses. 

Only 13 to 25 cultural sites would be formally developed for visitation, with interpretive signs, brochures, 

trails, parking areas, etc. The rest of the Monument would be managed through the Outdoor Museum 

philosophy, which would emphasize a self-discovery experience of cultural resources in their natural 

setting. All recreational opportunities would be provided in a manner that ensures compatibility with other 

uses, while protecting cultural and natural resources.

The Monument Proclamation honors valid existing rights for energy development, and the Proposed 

RMP calls for fluid minerals to be managed in a manner that ensures protection of cultural and natural 

resources. Up to 880 acres would be available for new oil and gas leases to protect against drainage (to 

allow the government to recover fluid minerals, and associated revenue, in areas where it would 

otherwise drain to neighboring leases). This acreage would be in addition to 127,895 acres of existing 

leases. Operators would be required to develop Geographic Area Development Plans allowing for 

greater protection of Monument objects through upfront planning at a landscape level.

Grazing is a historical use and would be managed in a manner that ensures healthy and economically 

sustainable ecological communities, while protecting the cultural resources of the Monument. Grazing 

administration would be managed to reduce conflicts between livestock grazing and recreation, protect 

cultural resources, and meet Public Land Health Standards. 

Five livestock grazing allotments (four of which are vacant) 

would be closed, and the total Monument allocation would be 

calculated at 6,437 active Animal Unit Months. Common 

reserve allotments would be established for use by existing 

permit holders, as approved by the BLM, when their 

allotments are not able to sustain use (for example, as a 

result of fire or drought).

Transportation within the Monument would be provided within 

a defined travel-management network that allows reasonable 

access for the public, private landowners, and authorized 

users, while protecting the objects identified in the 

Proclamation. The Plan provides access to private property 

within and/or adjacent to Monument boundaries.

The transportation system would formalize 172 miles of 

designated routes and close other existing user-created 

routes. Mountain-bike use would remain on the Sand Canyon, 

East Rock, and Rock Creek routes. No motorized or 

mechanized off-road travel would be allowed in the 

Monument.
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How to Access the Proposed RMP/Final EIS

The planning documents will be posted on our website: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nm/canm.html.

CD copies will be made available to the public for personal use. In order to conserve natural resources, 

paper copies of the document are not being printed in bulk. Paper copies will be available for viewing 

during regular business hours at the following locations: 

• Anasazi Heritage Center, 27501 Highway 184, Dolores 

• Dolores Public Lands Center, 29211 Highway 184, Dolores

• San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, Durango

• Dolores Public Library, 420 Railroad Ave., Dolores

• Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park, Cortez

• Mancos Public Library, 211 W. Main, Mancos

• Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd, Durango

• Dolores County Extension Office, 409 N. Main, Dove Creek

How to File a Protest on the Proposed RMP/Final EIS

Pursuant to BLM’s planning regulations at 43 CFR 1610.5-2, any person who participated in the planning 

process and has an interest, which is or may be adversely affected by the planning decisions, may 

protest approval of the planning decisions within 30 days from the date the Environmental Protection 

Agency publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. BLM regulations, included in the 

Proposed RMP/Final EIS, specify the required elements of protest. Take care to document all relevant 

facts. As much as possible, reference or cite the planning documents or available planning records. 

E-mailed and faxed protests will only be accepted as valid if the protesting party also provides the 

original letter by mail postmarked by the close of the protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will 

consider the e-mailed or faxed protest as an advance copy and will afford it full consideration. If you wish 

to provide the BLM with such advance notification, please send to the attention of Brenda HudgensWilliams, BLM Protest Coordinator, by calling 202-452-5112, or emailing: 

Brenda_Hudgens-Williams@blm.gov.

All protests must be in writing and mailed to the following address:

Regular Mail:

Director (210) Director (210)

Overnight Mail:

Attention: Brenda Williams Attention: Brenda Williams

P.O. Box 66538 1620 L Street, N.W., Suite 1075

Washington, D.C. 20035 Washington, D.C. 20036 

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information 

in your protest, please be advised that your entire protest – including your personal identifying 

information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can request in your protest that your 

personal identifying information be withheld from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able 

to do so. 

The BLM Director will make every attempt to promptly render a decision on each protest. Written 

decisions will be sent to the protesting party by certified mail, return receipt requested. The decision of 

the BLM Director shall be the final decision of the Department of the Interior.
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Upon resolution of all protests, the BLM will issue an Approved RMP and Record of Decision (ROD). The 

Approved RMP and ROD will be mailed or made available electronically to all who participated in the 

planning process and will be available to all parties through the “Planning” page of the BLM national 

website (http://www.blm.gov/planning). 

Unlike land-use planning decisions, implementation decisions are not subject to protest under the BLM 

planning regulations, but are subject to an administrative review process, through appeals to the Office of 

Hearings and Appeals, Interior Board of Land Appeals. Implementation decisions generally constitute the 

BLM’s final approval allowing on-the ground actions to proceed. Where implementation decisions are 

made as part of the land-use planning process, they are still subject to the appeals process or other 

administrative review as prescribed by specific resource program regulations once the BLM resolves the 

protests and issues an Approved RMP and ROD. The Approved RMP and ROD will therefore identify the 

implementation decisions made in the plan that may be appealed to the Office of Hearing and Appeals.

Estimated Timeline for Completing the RMP/EIS

EVENT DATE

Proposed RMP/Final EIS Available July 31, 2009

30-Day Protest Period

Begins when Notice of Availability is 

published by the Environmental Protection 

Agency in theFederal Register

Governor’s (60 day) Consistency Review July 31 – September 28, 2009

Record of Decision (ROD) Winter 2009 - 2010

BLM

Canyons of the Ancients 

National Monument

27501 Hwy 184

Dolores, CO 81323

PRESORTED

FIRST CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE AND FEE PAID

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PERMIT NO. G-76