KREMMLING, Colo. — The Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management is considering a land exchange along the Blue River in Grand and Summit counties. This week, the BLM released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for this proposal, which initiates a 45-day public comment period.

Your comments to the BLM on the proposal, will help the agency determine whether the exchange in in the public’s interest, or not. The BLM must receive comments by June 25.

 Under the proposal, the BLM would exchange nine parcels totaling 1,489 acres of federal land in Grand County for nine parcels totaling 1,830 acres of non-federal, private land in Grand and Summit counties. 

- The BLM would gain more land than it would exchange; however, based on the appraisal, these parcels are equal in value.

- The proposed exchange would result in the BLM and members of the public gaining access to nearly a mile of Blue River frontage near the confluence with the Colorado River, plus an additional 1.66 miles of river frontage that is currently not accessible, except by paddlers. 

- 300 acres of the exchange would be within the boundaries of the White River National Forest, which is administered by the U.S. Forest Service. In return, the BLM would relinquish title to 400 acres of land that provides 0.3 miles of walk-in Blue River fishing access near Trough Road. 

- More than half of the BLM acreage that would be exchanged is surrounded by private land and has no public access. 

The proponent of the proposed land exchange, Blue Valley Ranch, would also fund several improvements on public land, including facilities for float-boaters on the Blue River near the confluence with the Colorado River. Facilities consist of a new take-out for raft and kayaks, wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms, trails, and parking areas, among others. 

More information about the proposed land exchange, including maps, is available online at https://go.usa.gov/xnBJ5. 

The BLM will host two public open house meetings to answer questions, provide more information and take written comments: 

June 4 in Silverthorne at the Summit County Library North Branch, 651 Center Circle

June 6 in Kremmling at the Grand County Fairgrounds Extension Office, 210 11th Street. 

Both meetings will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public can stop by anytime during the open houses. 

Comments may be submitted to kfo_webmail@blm.gov, faxed to 970-724-3066, or mailed to P.O. Box 68, Kremmling, CO 80459.