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Welcome to Sheep Mountain Alliance |
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 Sheep Mountain Alliance is a grassroots citizen organization dedicated to the preservation of the natural environment in the Telluride Region and Southwest Colorado. To this end, Sheep Mountain Alliance will provide education for and protection of regional ecosystems, wildlife habitats and watersheds.
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO) is preparing a comprehensive Resource Management Plan (RMP) and associated Environmental Imapct Statement (EIS). The UFO includes the BLM lands surrounding the San Miguel River in San Miguel County and the majority of BLM lands in Western Montrose County. An RMP, similar to a county master plan, is a land use plan that describes borad multiple-use guidance for managing public lands administered by the BLM.
SMA is working with our conservation partners to develop scoping comments. We intend to focus on Wild & Scenic eligibility for the San Miguel River and its tributaries as well as regulations for oil & gas and mining development.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Wed, Feb 3rd, 2PM
SMC BOCC worksession/Mirmonte Bldg
A great opportunity to find out more from the BLM.
Wed, Feb 10th, noon-1:30pm
BLM Focus Group Meeting
Old Library Meeting Room
A great opportunity to let the BLM know of the places you consider special.
We are developing maps and area specific information and will continue to update this section.
For more information and maps from the BLM CLICK HERE |
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SAN JUAN MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS ACT |
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CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR INTRODUCES THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS ACT!
SMA working with our conservation partners presented a wilderness proposal to Congressman Salazar about a year ago. After working extensively to ensure the proposal had a broad base of support and receiving the endorsement of San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan Counties, the Congressman introduced his bill into the House of Representatives to protect 61,682 acres of public lands in and around the San Juan Mountains and San Miguel Watershed on October 22, 2009. Senators Udall and Bennet followed shortly with an introduction in the Senate.
PLEASE CONTACT CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR WITH THANKS!
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The Special Use Permit application submitted by Energy Fuels Corporation for the Piñon Ridge Uranium Mill to Montrose County has been approved with 19 conditions. The proposed mill site is located in the Paradox Valley immediately adjacent to Hwy 90, six miles from the Dolores River. SMA has challenged this land use decision in District Court.
In December 2009, Energy Fuels submitted an application to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) for a Radiactive Materials License. This is a 12 - 15 month process. The CDPHE has stated that it will hold up to 4 public hearings. See announced dates below. SMA is conducting a thorough analysis with experts on the lengthy application. We will be submitting comments during the next year. We will update this site with specific concerns as we develop them in detail. We encourage you to attend the public hearings to express your concerns as well as checking in here for suggested comments.
HEARINGS:
January 21st, 6 - 10pm, Nucla Public High School (sign up begins at 4:45pm)
February 17th, 6 - 10pm, Montrose Pavilion (sign up begins at 4:45pm)
For more information on the hearings and the application from the CDPHE CLICK HERE
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Silver Mountain Industries (SMI) has received a Preliminary Subdivision Exemption for their Alta Cluster Development Plan. The proposal includes 28 homes, a Ranch/Community Center, maintenance facility, plus 20 caretaker units at 11,000 feet elevation. The development will be spread across 400 acres, including mapped wildlife and riparian and wetland habitat and a realignment, improvement and year round maintenance of the current road.
SMI has applied to the Forest Service for the road improvements and realignment and the FS opted for the more comprehensive EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) process in order to analyze the potential impacts associated with the development. SMA submitted scoping comments to the FS and we plan to continue to challenge the SMI proposal to realign and upgrade the Alta Lakes Road to a year round access road.
FS EIS NOTICE
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