Let’s be real for a minute – no one wants to deal with your dog’s crap. Ironically, many of us retreat out these drainages to get away from some crap, or get some perspective on some crap, or to process some crap. We certainly aren’t interested in someone or something else’s crap. To see, to smell, to step in, to ride through dog crap while traveling our public lands is just, well, yeah. Crap.
Gunnison National Forest Revision The Gunnison National Forest, which comprises the area surrounding Crested Butte, is undergoing a forest-wide revision process. That process also includes the Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre national forests, and the three forests are collectively known as the “GMUG”. This is an ambitious and far-reaching process which will last years. Not only does the forest revision cover a large area, the revision also encompasses recreation aspects and tackles questions about mining, logging, and other activities. The revision process is just beginning, and you can learn more by visiting the USFS website here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmug/landmanagement/planning. The revision process will serve as the “guide” for future USFS decisions, and that is why it is important that winter recreationalists that care about access for all user groups, like Share The Slate, need to take note of the process and make sure that our comments and suggestions are heard. It is important to note that while the GMUG revision will not directly impact the upcoming winter travel management plan, the outcome of the revision will guide changes (if any) in winter travel management plan. The actual winter travel management plan will take place after the GMUG revision, and is what will directly
Share the Slate invites everyone who uses and loves the public lands of the Gunnison Valley to join us for a public meeting and membership drive on Tuesday, January 23rd, starting at 6 pm at The Talk of The Town. Enjoy a complementary beer, speak with our board members, renew your membership, or become a new member.
We were the team leaders of a team that headed up to Washington Gulch. Our team of 8 started near the bottom of the switchbacks and headed back down valley from there. We removed a lot of trash like car parts, cinder blocks, mattress springs, even a bucket full of poop. We also decommissioned some unnecessary fire rings, and cleaned up the ones that remained in place.
Our public lands seem to be a particularly hot debate as of late. Do we increase Wilderness? Where should mountain bikers be disallowed? What areas should we make non-motorized? What public lands are “for sale”?
Over the course of a few years, the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative has been working hard to develop a comprehensive land management plan for our Forest Service lands that takes into account recreation, resource management, conservation, and ecology. The GPLI constists of ten local organizations which represent users of various interests including ranching, water resources, motorized use, conservation, mountain biking, recreation, and hunting and angling. Over the course of years, this group has met to develop a balanced and insightful use plan for Gunnison Public Lands which satisfies the needs of all user groups. They have set a model for the nation in representing all users, promoting awareness of land use, and developing a culture of compromise. By coming together to develop an insightful well-balanced proposal for sustainable growth and use of our Gunnison National Forest, the GPLI is setting a positive example for promoting shared use of our public lands.
Last year, Share the Slate was part of a valley wide joint cleanup effort which extended from the Slate River valley all the way to Paradise Divide. Organized by Sue Navy from HICCA, the event was a huge success. Well, the cleanup effort is returning, and is also extending beyond the Slate River drainage. We’d like you to join us, and many other organizations in the Crested Butte / Gunnison Valley, for Paradise Cleanup on Saturday October 21st from 10:30 am until 3 pm. All you need to to is show up at the 4-Way Stop a little before 10:30 am. There, groups will be organized and assigned to different cleaning zones. At the end, there will be a free BBQ. All organizations are encouraging participants to bring their own plates, cups, and silverware for use at the BBQ in order to promote sustainability. Why join the cleanup crew? We assume that you love visiting or living here in the Crested Butte / Gunnison Valley and that you enjoy the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds us. But that landscape needs maintenance and we all must be stewards of the beautiful surroundings where we play. Paradise Cleanup is the perfect opportunity
Ever since speculations began to surround the use of our backcountry in winter, the Crested Butte community has recognized the need to develop a survey which begins to collect information from the various voices in the valley. Thankfully, Western States MEMs (Master in Environmental Management) students, along with Brian Lieberman, have taken this on. The intent of this survey is to gain some baseline data about the use of our winter backcountry and our goal is to get as many people to take this survey as possible. In order for all voices of our community to be represented, it is important that all winter backcountry users participate.
