BLM to host open houses on scenic values

The Bureau of Land Management is hosting five open houses to discuss the scenic values of our public lands and to help them understand which lands the public especially prizes for their scenic values. Of course, all lands have a certain scenic value but we all know that some are more important than others. For history buffs, the historic trails have their own special needs when it comes to protecting scenic values. You may be able to stand in the ruts of the old trails but if there is a wind turbine ten feet from you, dominating the view, you're not going to have the same experience that you will if the landscape is virtually undisturbed. This is usually referred to as the "viewshed" and it is something that AHW works hard to protect. Natural landmarks often require an undisturbed landscape to properly appreciate. And, of course, there are simply lands that are so breathtaking, none of us would want to see them trampled by industrialization.

The BLM Rock Springs and Rawlins Offices will use these public meetings to gather information for their Visual Resource Management System which assists the BLM in quantifying existing values, establishing goals and objectives and utilizing that information to determine whether a proposed activity conforms to the established goals and objectives. The BLM will be looking to the public at these meetings for input on what the public wants from their scenic lands across the southern tier of the state. All together, the Rock Springs and Rawlins BLM offices manage more than 7 million acres of lands in Carbon, Albany, Laramie, Sweetwater, Uinta, Lincoln, Fremont, and Sublette Counties.

We strongly encourage you to attend these open houses and let your voice be heard about the scenic values that you cherish on these public lands. The meetings will be held from 4-7:30PM at the following locations:

Monday, July 12, Baggs, Little Snake River Valley Ed Center, 360 Whipporwill
Tuesday, July 13, Rawlins, Jeffrey Memorial Community Center, 315 East Pine
Wednesday, July 14, Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College, 2500 College Drive, Room 1302
Monday, July 19, Saratoga, Platte Valley Community Center, 210 Elm Street
Tuesday, July 20, Laramie, Albany County Library, 310 South 8th St.

For more information, contact Sherry Roche, Project Manager for the BLM, at (307) 775-6484