Author Archives: gram

USDA Forest Service Integrated Management of Target Shooting on the Pike National Forest Update

We have included the information below, though you can refer to the actual document here:

IMTS Extended Scoping Period cover letter signed.pdf

Dear Interested Party,

The Forest Service is seeking comments on the revised Integrated Management of Target Shooting on the Pike National Forest Project. The revised Integrated Management of Target Shooting proposed action addresses the need to provide opportunities for target shooting on National Forest System lands, to identify areas unsuitable for dispersed target shooting, to identify locations to be developed as shooting ranges, and to establish a conditions-based adaptive management framework to manage target shooting in the future.

Dispersed target shooting — where forest visitors set up targets and practice shooting in an undesignated, undeveloped location — is a legal use of National Forest System lands that increased in popularity over the past decade. Unfortunately, the number of forest visitors who shoot in an unsafe manner has also increased. These activities have resulted in increasing levels of resource damage, shooting-related wildfires, injuries, and at least one fatality.

The Forest Service has developed three alternatives which include: the no action alternative, where no changes would be made in the management of target shooting activities; the proposed action, which would identify and close areas unsuitable for dispersed target shooting activities, develop at least one shooting range on each ranger district (meaning a minimum of three shooting ranges, nine potential sites identified), and define an adaptive management framework to manage target shooting in the future; and a reduced-closure alternative, which is the same as the proposed action but would close a smaller amount of area to target shooting. The project will not affect legal hunting activities.

The revised proposed action and added alternative, with some preliminary analyses, are available for review on the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57807. To obtain a hard copy of the documents, please contact Jennifer DeWoody, NEPA Planner, at (970) 568-2692 or via email at jennifer.dewoody@usda.gov.

How to Comment and Timeframe

Comments concerning the changes to the project are being requested as part of the extended scoping period. Comments should be received by December 28, 2023 to be fully considered in the project analysis. Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object must meet the information requirements of 36 CFR 218.25, including specific written comments as defined in 218.2 regarding the proposed project, along with supporting reasons (218.25 (a)(3)(iii)). Individuals or representatives of an entity submitting timely and specific written comments regarding this project must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request (218.24(b)(8)). All written comments received by the responsible official become a matter of public record (218.25(b)(2)).

Comments may be submitted electronically by visiting the project webpage and clicking the link “Comment/Object on the Project”. Please follow instructions carefully. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to: Target Shooting Project, Attn: Jennifer DeWoody, 601 South Weber Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903; delivered to the address shown above during business hours (M-F 8:00am to 4:30pm); or submitted by FAX (719) 477-4233. For additional information, please contact Jennifer DeWoody, NEPA Planner, 601 S. Weber St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903, by phone at (970) 568-2692, or via email jennifer.dewoody@usda.gov.

Thank you for your interest in the management of National Forest System lands.

Sincerely,
JASON D. ROBERTSON
Acting, Forest & Grassland Supervisor

November 2023 BOD Meeting

FOMP BOD Meeting/Celebration

FOMP is pleased to announce our November 2023 Board Meeting/Celebration

Meeting Time:
Tuesday, Nov 14h at 7:00 PM 

Meeting at the Trails End Taproom Monument 252 Front St.
Monument, CO 80132

 
Thanks to everyone who helped out this past season during our trail nights.

We are super proud of what we accomplished in a tough year.

Come out and Celebrate with the FOMP BOD, our volunteers, and our partners at the Tap Room. 


Thanks

FOMP BOD

October 2023 Trail Night


Tuesday, October 10th at 5:00 PM (One hour earlier)

FOMP is pleased to be holding one of our monthly volunteer trail work maintenance sessions for 2023.  

Please meet at the main parking lot at Mt Herman and Nursery https://goo.gl/maps/rdJuhbbQWEx

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, trimming, etc. So, everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

All participants will need to sign a waiver before beginning any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

 

September 2023 Trail Night


Main Objective: Trimming and cutting back severe scrub oak overgrowth on trails.

Tuesday, September 12th at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding one of our monthly volunteer trail work maintenance sessions for 2023.  

Note: Different location for meeting spot – Please meet at the corner of Mt Herman Lane and Turner Road https://goo.gl/maps/dmQGeYbDUoGXy8XFA

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, trimming, etc. So, everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

All participants will need to sign a waiver before beginning any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

 

Upcoming Trail Love Dig Dates Forest Lakes – August 2023

Medicine Wheel & Friends of Monument Preserve

THANK YOU for your hard work earlier this year on the Forest Lakes Trail. We want to make sure that you know about our next opportunity to advance that trail. 


Where: Forest Lakes-Mt. Herman Area
5305 Mesa Top Road
Monument, CO
When: Saturday, August 12th, 8:30 am-1:30 pm

Register for these Trail Love Dig Day events here: Forest Lakes Trail Love Dig Day Registration August 12th or scan the QR code on the poster attached to this email.
 

Thank you so much!
Respectfully,

Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates

FOMP August 2023 Trail Night

Main Objective: Cleaning and raking the trails to remove debris from recent fire mitigation operations.

Tuesday, August 8th at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding one of our monthly volunteer trail work maintenance sessions for 2023.  

Please meet at the main parking lot at Red Rocks Road parking lot https://goo.gl/maps/rdJuhbbQWEx

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, trimming, etc. So, everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Note: Bugs have been bad from the recent rain, so we recommend bringing some bug spray for protection.

Just to let you know, all participants will need to sign a waiver before beginning any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

FOMP July 2023 Trail Night

Main Objective: Cleaning and raking the trails to remove debris from recent fire mitigation operations.

Tuesday, July 11th at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding one of our monthly volunteer trail work maintenance sessions for 2023.  

Please meet at the main parking lot at Red Rocks Road parking lot https://goo.gl/maps/rdJuhbbQWEx

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, trimming, etc. So, everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Note: Bugs have been bad from the recent rain, so we recommend bringing some bug spray for protection.

Just to let you know, all participants will need to sign a waiver before beginning any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

Mt Herman Road Has Been Reopened

The Pikes Peak Ranger District has reopened the Mt Herman Road (USFS #320) after a 7-week closure.

This closure was due to spring storm impacts which caused significant rockslides and washouts.

The rockfall was moved, and the monstrous washout was just filled by Black Hills Energy.

FOMP

Monument Preserve Fire Mitigation Update – June 2023

The Pikes Peak Ranger District on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests will be conducting a fuels reduction project in Upper Monument Creek in support of the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The purpose of this project is to create a defensible space along Mt. Herman Road as well as along the Forest Service boundary. 

They have completed the 25-acre Treatment Area 1 (refer to map), and currently, their contractors are working on the 150-acre Treatment Area 2.

We have been informed that there have been public interference issues during the contractor’s work days. They are having to take operational pauses to answer questions as well as prevent debris from impacting bikers and hikers in the project area.  

Due to safety concerns such as flying debris and felled tree limbs, the project area must be avoided by the public during the entire project period. Please avoid the area so the work can be completed in a timely manner, and we can therefore get back to using our trail systems.