SILT, Colo. - The Bureau of Land Management expects work to begin this week on a 270-acre wildlife habitat improvement project south of New Castle on Center Mountain. Work will continue into September.
The project will create a patchwork of openings in thick, continuous stands of mountain shrubs using specialized mechanical equipment. Wildlife will benefit from the resulting new, nutritious plant growth in the openings and easier access through the area. Wildfire risk will be lessened by the breaks in the continuous vegetation.
“This technique has been widely successful in this area for improving wildlife habitat and reducing large wildfire risk," said Sylvia Ringer, a wildlife biologist with the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office. “The short-term impact to the area over the next few weeks will result in a decade or more of great habitat for mule deer, elk and other wildlife."
No heavy equipment will be used during deer or elk rifle seasons.
A map of the treatment area and updates on project timing is available at www.blm.gov/co/crvfo. For additional information, call (970) 876-9000.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
